Detroit Locker slipping occasionally....

**Sitec** · 9th May 2013, 09:00 PM

Hello all. Ok, I recently fitted a Detroit Locker into the Salisbury axle on the rear of my 130. When fitting, I made sure the wing nut was pointing to the correct side according to direction of rotation. (there was no direction arrow on the locker even though the booklet said there would be, so I only had the wing nut to go on). After fitment I carried out the test in the booklet with the wheels lifted. All worked as it should. I have since done 3000 km (500+ on dirt and some on seriously rough terrain), all without fault until now.. Over the last two weeks I have had the Detroit 'slip' twice. Both times have been as I've pulled out of a junction on bitumen and have been under acceleration. There has been a single resounding thump through the vehicle (sounding like the driving shaft has slipped one place on the drive gears), and quite a jerk, then been fine. It's only done it twice so far..... Loathed to have to pull the thing out/apart let alone have to send it back to the states... Anyone have any ideas? Cheers in advance!!

**101RRS** · 9th May 2013, 09:19 PM

What were you doing just before the incidents - sounds like the detroit was wound up and was just unlocking itself. I get it occasionally after I have been tight manoeuvring in my front yard then drive out onto the road.

Garry

**inside** · 9th May 2013, 09:19 PM

Sounds normal and according to my diff guy Detroits do this. It will happen when one of the gears is only half engaged when you come to a stop, then as you accelerate the gear engages and you get the thump.

**steveG** · 9th May 2013, 09:51 PM

Mine occasionally does that too.
FWIW, I don't recall anything about direction with the installation. I've just checked in the online manual and no mention of it unless I'm being very blind.

Steve

**Sitec** · 9th May 2013, 09:51 PM

Normal road driving... Pulled out of a junction, accelerating up to speed... Second to third, still accelerating a few seconds later and 'Bang'! Scared the hell out of me the first time.. Sounded like a shaft going, but knew it couldn't be that as Mr HTE wouldn't make them that soft!!

**101RRS** · 9th May 2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sitec

Normal road driving... Pulled out of a junction,

90 degree turn on bitumen might be the clue - doesn't happen often but it does on occasion.

Garry

**Ranga** · 10th May 2013, 05:17 AM

Mine has done that after taking off on bitumen even in a straight line. Scares the **** out of SWMBO!

The bigger issue I have is turning slowly, if I back off slightly, it jerks and "kangaroo hops". This is happening more frequently over time. Not sure of the cause, might take it back to Diff Lapping for them to check it out. Or maybe it's just operator error?

**101 Ron** · 10th May 2013, 06:30 AM

My detroit does nothing in the way of noise or jerks, on road or off.
Only some times on full lock on a hard surface I can feel a slight change speed of the vehicle..........like backing back on full lock when the detroit unlocks and starts driving on the inside wheel.

**101 Ron** · 10th May 2013, 06:35 AM

The only time my detroit made any bangs was on its first off road use when it was new, and I was doing some full on rock shelf jumping work.
It has not made any noise since it has settled in.
I fitted one to the back of a 80 series landcrapper and the owner reported much the same as I found.

**djam1** · 10th May 2013, 07:03 AM

I can confirm that this is normal operation
Mine does it it scares you when it happens to be honest I think the oil type could be a factor.
I often find that if the car hasn't been used for a long time it will do it after a short drive

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