detroit locker staying locked

[newwagwheeler]

I recently installed a Detroit locker in my Dana 44. Purchased from BJ's off road in March. From the time of install until three days ago, I hardly knew that the thing was in there. Took the 88 G.W. off road once and the locker really proved itself. Well just the other night the locker locker locks and stays locked. This Jeep is my daily driver and a fully engaged locker in the rear is making for some hairy moments. Stopped driving it so I don't break anything. Is there anything that I can do to try to get the thing working again?

[v10sport]

Is it not unlocking in corners? Make sure you lift off the gas when corning. Any time your on the gas, it will be locked. Also Detroits are a bit noisy. They can bang pretty loud.

[fullsizejohn]

Yeah mine will bark pretty good on dry pavement when taking a sharp turn at slow speeds.

[newwagwheeler]

weather my foot is on the pedal or not, the docker is locked. this is beyond barking. This is beyond the normal barking.

[pineymike]

weather my foot is on the pedal or not, the docker is locked. this is beyond barking. This is beyond the normal barking. I striped the teeth off the ratchet clutch on one side and mine locked up?If yours is "new" it should have some kind of waranty?Good luck:drivin:

[jeeping1974]

I've got one in my DD and yeah it is locked 99% of the time. It's not that bad though.

[Kevin armstrong]

The one in my 79 cj7 (amc 20) can flat scare the crap out of me. It likes to unlock at speed usually after I have been offroad. Sometimes it unlocks when accelerating in first gear and sounds like an axle snapping. Does not appear to be anything wrong looking at it. Next time, I will save up for a selectable locker. detroit lockers are just not very street friendly and really suck in wet or icy conditions on road and not real good in off camber wet stuff offroad .

[J20 project]

Not really sure what you were expecting here. It's a well respected locker for one reason...staying locked. Limited slips slide, lunchbox lockers release all the time w/ your axles snapping,,, and snapping.
anyway, I would guess you got what you paid for. Selectable lockers are expensive as you get to choose what mode you want. Cheaper lockers...well you get some side effects IMHO.
J20

[azpackrat]

Improperly inflated or unequal diameter tires will cause problems with Detroit lockers. The unequal rolling radius will make it seem as though one tire is slipping and cause it to lock, usually it locks and unlocks repeatedly causing the rear to shift violently.
Try putting a chalk mark on each rear tire and a corresponding mark on the ground and then pull forward two or three revolutions of the tire and mark on the ground where the tire marks land, then measure the distance between the two marks for both sides. This will show you if there is a different rolling radius from side to side.
Other than that while it's true they aren't the most civilized traction device, after driving it for several months you should be used to the quirks and if you think it's not right it's probably not. Contact BJ's and go from there.

[Headhoncho]

I've had mine in my 14 bolt for 10 yrs and it's always unlocked itself. I would tear it apart and re-check everything before terminal damage occurs. I forget if there's any additive required for them or just normal 90wt? Mine scares the crap out of people (and myself) driving when it locks up (small explosion) under acceleration. The whloe back of the truck kicks sideways a bit. :thumbsup: Keep those rear tires the same pressure. Best upgrade for off-road driving EVER!!!


JR

[newwagwheeler]

Although this is the first locker that I have had, the issue of me feeling like the rear end has gone away has only started last week after 6 months of driving. I am not sure if there is a break in period or if something has gone wrong. Working with BJ's now trying to resolve it.

[v10sport]

I forget if there's any additive required for them or just normal 90wt?


JR
No additives for a Detroit

[J20 project]

Working with BJ's now trying to resolve it.

Hmm, might want to just talk to Detroit about it...they built it. Just because a vendor sells it does not mean they understand it. No offense intended but they did not design it.
J20 project

[rentalrider]

Not really sure what you were expecting here. It's a well respected locker for one reason...staying locked. Limited slips slide, lunchbox lockers release all the time w/ your axles snapping,,, and snapping.
anyway, I would guess you got what you paid for. Selectable lockers are expensive as you get to choose what mode you want. Cheaper lockers...well you get some side effects IMHO.
J20

I disagree here. Detroits are IMO as good as it gets for quality. My CJ has selectable's and my chief will have a detroit in the rear. I feel quality is fantastic, but you may not agree.

Now, I wonder if you have a detroit EZ locker. A POS IMO. They for some reason built a generic form of their proven product without the incorporated carrier, blah, blah. I've blown those multiple times before I gave up.

[Casey]

Now, I wonder if you have a detroit EZ locker. A POS IMO.

Exactly what I was thinking. Crap piece of junk.

[Casey]

Not really sure what you were expecting here. It's a well respected locker for one reason...staying locked. Limited slips slide, lunchbox lockers release all the time w/ your axles snapping,,, and snapping.
anyway, I would guess you got what you paid for. Selectable lockers are expensive as you get to choose what mode you want. Cheaper lockers...well you get some side effects IMHO.
J20


I'd rather have a Lock Right than an ARB any day. I know the Lock Right is going to work and it will not be the part that breaks.

I also don't have a need for selectable lockers.

[J20 project]

disagree here. Detroits are IMO as good as it gets for quality. [/QUOTE]
I really wonder what you thought I was saying.....
J20

[jeeping1974]

I'd rather have a Lock Right than an ARB any day. I know the Lock Right is going to work and it will not be the part that breaks.

I also don't have a need for selectable lockers.

I'd rather have a full spool than a locker. One solid piece of steel over moveable, multiple pieces of steel sound better (although, I couldn't pass up the sweet deal I got on the Detroit in my truck :rolleyes: ).

[ballen0352]

ARBs are great had them in my baby jeep front and rear. That compressor get annoying in the trail. I've had detroits also in a YJ and I'd take the detroit over the ARB anyday. It takes 30 min of driving to figure out the quirks for the detroit and then ur golden. The only reason I would go selectable again is I my wife or kids were going to drive the vehicle and I think next time I'm going to try an OX Locker. I hated that Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley compressor noise

[novacayne75]

if its a full case detroit idk? but if its a detroit ez-locker remove it and throw it in the nearest dumpster or scrap barrel and get you an aussie locker. sorry to sound so blunt but i have removed a few of those pos!

[newwagwheeler]

Mystery solved....
This was not an EZ locker... This was a regular tried and true, best of the best Detroit from BJ's, and once the diff cover was opened, all of the little tiny pieces in the bottom made it clear. And as far as BJ's taking care of the problem, Let me just say WOW!!! Ryan and Matt made the resolution of my problem very smooth and hassle free. BJ's rocks!!!
Thanks for all of the input folks.

[Kevin armstrong]

Anyone running a ox locker out there? Yeah the shorter the wheelbase, the scarier the detroit gets,but yes it is the locker of choice. No doubt it kicks azz offroad though. The reason a selectable locker would be nice is in those off camber muddy trails.