Can a Detroit locker cause steering issues?

[naneumranch]

Bump steer once I put it in thought it was axel wrap then it broke all problem gone with the Yukon. It would cross lanes on if you weren't paying attention it was that bad

 

[Z Bronco]

I have a Detroit Locker in the rear of my Bronco since 1989. The only time when going straight down the road it would pull one way when the gas was applied or let off was when I had twisted the spines on one of the rear axles. After a new axle, it drives great. For driving on ice, I lock the front hubs, and use the twin stick to disengage the rear end, and my front wheel drive bronco will now turn. Hope this helps.

 

[DirtDonk]

Like said, it can still be the locker unfortunately. At the very least, it's acting to exaggerate another issue, but it's likely to be at least part of the trouble. No matter what, you should optimize everything else to be sure.
I've driven plenty of trucks and Broncos with Detroits before, with very minimal or at least the expected issues. Usually no problem, as the other users are saying.

A friend had a '75 with Goodyear MT's and it was literally un-drivable. Each time you would let off the gas and push in the clutch to shift gears, it would literally try to swap lanes on you. He actually drove it to my house so I could test drive it to help diagnose the issue we had been discussing over the phone, and I only got out of the driveway and a few yards down the street before I decided that we were only going around the short block!

Brought it right back and a misbehaving locker was the only thing I could think of that would make a Bronco feel and act like that. Without changing anything else, he swapped it out for a Truetrack and any issues were immediately gone. To the tune of about 95%.
His truck was still a little loosy goosy with all that lift and such, but it no longer tried to kill him when driving.

Funny about the same tire in these two cases. Did you also buy one of those less expensive eBay Detroits that are supposedly Nascar units?

Paul

 

[sixtyniner]

Like said, it can still be the locker unfortunately. At the very least, it's acting to exaggerate another issue, but it's likely to be at least part of the trouble. No matter what, you should optimize everything else to be sure.
I've driven plenty of trucks and Broncos with Detroits before, with very minimal or at least the expected issues. Usually no problem, as the other users are saying.

A friend had a '75 with Goodyear MT's and it was literally un-drivable. Each time you would let off the gas and push in the clutch to shift gears, it would literally try to swap lanes on you. He actually drove it to my house so I could test drive it to help diagnose the issue we had been discussing over the phone, and I only got out of the driveway and a few yards down the street before I decided that we were only going around the short block!

Brought it right back and a misbehaving locker was the only thing I could think of that would make a Bronco feel and act like that. Without changing anything else, he swapped it out for a Truetrack and any issues were immediately gone. To the tune of about 95%.
His truck was still a little loosy goosy with all that lift and such, but it no longer tried to kill him when driving.

Funny about the same tire in these two cases. Did you also buy one of those less expensive eBay Detroits that are supposedly Nascar units?

Paul

Paul thank you. That's interesting. I too think my bronco is trying to kill me. Ha. As much as I don't want it to be, I think it is my locker. I'm still hoping that it is due to something simple such as improper toe-in adjustment but from what I'm reading from a lot folks here and my initial hunch tells me it's the locker. My ride is in the shop getting spray-in bed liner and I won't get it back till next week so I can't do anything till then and it's driving me crazy.
I did not buy the detroit on ebay. I had it for at least 10 years. They cost me around 500 bucks each and can't remember what off road shop I bought it from. I'm confident it was not one of those less expensive "Nascar" units.

 

[DirtDonk]

Well then, while you're waiting to get it back, let's talk about anything else that's been modified/tweaked/fixed on the rig that might have an effect.

For instance, how much (if any) suspension lift?
What type/brand steering linkage are you using?
Has the toe-in been set?
Has the caster been checked on an alignment rack?

Has it been driven much since being put together? If so, time to re-torque some of the attachment bolts. Specifically the rear leaf spring u-bolts.

Lots of things to talk about in the meantime. Got any pics for us to peruse while waiting?

Paul

 

[bronconut73]

Like said, it can still be the locker unfortunately. At the very least, it's acting to exaggerate another issue, but it's likely to be at least part of the trouble. No matter what, you should optimize everything else to be sure.
I've driven plenty of trucks and Broncos with Detroits before, with very minimal or at least the expected issues. Usually no problem, as the other users are saying.

A friend had a '75 with Goodyear MT's and it was literally un-drivable. Each time you would let off the gas and push in the clutch to shift gears, it would literally try to swap lanes on you. He actually drove it to my house so I could test drive it to help diagnose the issue we had been discussing over the phone, and I only got out of the driveway and a few yards down the street before I decided that we were only going around the short block!

Brought it right back and a misbehaving locker was the only thing I could think of that would make a Bronco feel and act like that. Without changing anything else, he swapped it out for a Truetrack and any issues were immediately gone. To the tune of about 95%.
His truck was still a little loosy goosy with all that lift and such, but it no longer tried to kill him when driving.

Funny about the same tire in these two cases. Did you also buy one of those less expensive eBay Detroits that are supposedly Nascar units?

Paul

Mine "is" one of those supposed NASCAR take outs.
They have the oversized bearings and mine even came with a bitchin' Strange nodular case.
Total price with shipping was about $200 bucks.
Absolutely flawless.
Got it from Nine Inch Nodular on eBay.
Great guy, even fielded some tech questions for me, but that was before I knew I could get on here and pick your (Paul) brain, haha...

 

[sixtyniner]

Well then, while you're waiting to get it back, let's talk about anything else that's been modified/tweaked/fixed on the rig that might have an effect.

For instance, how much (if any) suspension lift?
What type/brand steering linkage are you using?
Has the toe-in been set?
Has the caster been checked on an alignment rack?

Has it been driven much since being put together? If so, time to re-torque some of the attachment bolts. Specifically the rear leaf spring u-bolts.

Lots of things to talk about in the meantime. Got any pics for us to peruse while waiting?

Paul

I have a 2 1/2 inch lift and only run 33's. All new linkage stock style with adjustable drag link and adjustable trac bar. I need to check the toe-in and have not had the caster checked. I'm sure my alignment is an issue but I'm really thinking the problem is coming from the rearend. It feels different than bump-steer It only wants to change lanes when I step on the gass or let up on the gass other wise it drives straight. It does not feel like my rearend is wraping up or loose but I will definatly check it out. I plan to check all these things as soon as I get it back next week. In the mean time I'm using this as an excuse to replace the detroit with an ARB. I just ordered the ARB and compressor from Wild Horses. I know that replacing my locker may not fix the issue but I love my lockers off road and also remember what it drove like with open diffs on road. Now I can have the best of both worlds.;D------Thank you Paul for your time and attention to this! Greatly appreciated.

 

[DirtDonk]

Thanks for that sixtyniner! Happiness will hopefully soon be yours.
Not to mention a Bronco that's not tying to kill you anymore!

Did we already talk about how your front end is set up? I agree with you that it sounds correct that you're feeling it from the rear end doing all the monkey motion, but if your front is out a bit, it will certainly exaggerate the whole movement.
I know you're going to check it out, but just making sure we talked about the angle of the draglink/tie-rod setup. I think we did, right? No time to re-read tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but figured I'd ask anyway.

If you did the 2.5 without the angle correction components like the dropped trackbar bracket and the dropped pitman arm, while not needed 100%, the steeper angles are definitely not going to help in the wander/shift/dart department when the rear end says it's time to exit, stage left even... Or to the right, MARCH!

Paul

 

[Biohazard]

Mine "is" one of those supposed NASCAR take outs.
They have the oversized bearings and mine even came with a bitchin' Strange nodular case.
Total price with shipping was about $200 bucks.
Absolutely flawless.
Got it from Nine Inch Nodular on eBay.
Great guy, even fielded some tech questions for me, but that was before I knew I could get on here and pick your (Paul) brain, haha...

How would someone contact this Nine Inch Nodular guy? I need a locker some kind a bad, and seeing as my rig won't be seeing much street time for a long while, and the fact that I'm nickle and diming this build, this sounds like a viable option.....

I do apologize for the hijack.......You can PM me with any info Bronconut.......

 

[bronconut73]

How would someone contact this Nine Inch Nodular guy? I need a locker some kind a bad, and seeing as my rig won't be seeing much street time for a long while, and the fact that I'm nickle and diming this build, this sounds like a viable option.....

I do apologize for the hijack.......You can PM me with any info Bronconut.......

I haven't looked for him in years but he was on eBay and I believe he was in North Carolina.
Last time I spoke to him he was walking me through my gear set up.
I thanked him for the help and the great deal and he said, "No thanks needed, I have plenty on the shelf and get more every year"

They really are NASCAR "take outs" with the oversize side bearings.

Usually from the qualifier cars.

Mine has been flawless.

 

[Biohazard]

Well I just scored a front end already set up but I'd like to have a locker out back too. If I can't find one I'm just gonna drop in a spool.

 

[garberz]

Can a detroit locker in the rear cause steering to be twitchy? I would expect it while taking a curve but will it cause it on a straight away? It's really noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. I'm attempting to make my ride more highway friendly and tired of white knuckles. I'm wondering if it's because of the locker.

Lots of different comments and experiences with Detroits in the rear. So I'll add mine as well. I drove mine for years with an open carrier in the rear. I switched to a Detroit, along with the 31 spline upgrade and a re-gear to 4.56's. I drives just as you described yours. It has ever since. Mainly when at cruising speed on the Fwy. when you let off the gas, one side or the other will unlock. Kind of feels like someone grabbed my hitch and pulled me sideways. I'm used to it, also that's how I know it's still working 100%. It's still my daily driver and I'd have to be doing mileage like RT, before swapping to an ARB.

Mark