Rear axle/Locker question??

[jimmy18thing]

Ok I will try to describe this as best as possible. Last night when I pulled my Eb into the garage it felt like the brakes were engaged so I thought maybe the breaks had gotten water in the ebrake line and froze up some. So today I decided to jack one side up at a time and spin the Rear tires to check to see if the ebrake was engaged. Everything seemed ok with the brakes, but while turning the passenger side I noticed that I could turn the tire forward and the driveline would turn also but when I turned it to the rear and my driveline would not turn, with a slight clicking is coming from the axle... Almost like the axle is "disengaged" and slipping inside? I don't know if that makes sense... Anyone ever have something like this happen? OH and I do have a Detroit locker, ford 9", big bearing. Thanks guys

 

[Apogee]

That's how a Detroit locker works. It allows the outer tire to overspeed when going around a corner so long as you're not on the gas. If you're on the gas, it's going to be locked like a spool until you lift.

Here's a previous thread about the same topic: http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32692

Same thing, different forum: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-373369.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[jimmy18thing]

Spinning the drivers side tire engages the driveline going forward or backwards though. Shouldn't it be the same for both sides?

 

[DirtDonk]

Sometimes.
When you turn one wheel, does the other turn in the same direction, or the opposite? With a limited-slip, they will turn in the same direction and it's fairly hard to turn a tire.
With a Detroit, I don't know if they always turn the same direction, or will sometimes go opposite, but someone might be able to tell.
If it spins the opposite direction all the time and it's easy to turn one wheel, you probably have an open diff.

If not a Detroit or other locker, I'm not sure what the clicking would be that would be anything good. And not sure why it doesn't turn the driveline consistently

Have you had the Bronco for long? Has it ever done this before? I'm thinking no, since you brought it up, but don't know if you've had it that long.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[jimmy18thing]

When turning the wheels one is planted on the ground and the one I am turning is on a jack. I have had the bronco for many years. Bought it from my cousin who put the Locker in.. a detroit from what I remember. Again this is only the passenger side that does this.

 

[Viperwolf1]

When turning the wheels one is planted on the ground and the one I am turning is on a jack. I have had the bronco for many years. Bought it from my cousin who put the Locker in.. a detroit from what I remember. Again this is only the passenger side that does this.

Something's broke. You shouldn't be able to turn one tire with the other planted and not have the driveshaft turn too.

 

[bmc69]

Something's broke. You shouldn't be able to turn one tire with the other planted and not have the driveshaft turn too.

yup...sounds like spider gear(s) broke because Detroits, at least not healthy ones.. do not act that way, are you dead sure its had a Detroit put in?.

Maybe a busted Detroit could act like that? ...I've yet to break one but they can be broken...

 

[DirtDonk]

Would it act that way if the end of an axle has sheared off? Or is it only when something's wrong with the locker itself?

Paul

 

[jimmy18thing]

Ok well I had it into the shop in april of 09 and had a new pinion gear put in I haven't really driven it since then... too many other things been working on. Could it be a an axle thing possibly?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Might be a broke axle but it would need a strange break to engage one way only. You'll find out when you pull it apart.

 

[Oatmeal]

No that is normal for a Detroit (Lock-Rite and Aussie do the same thing). With one wheel on the ground grab the drive shaft and turn it by hand like you were trying to propel the truck forward and the raised wheel will spin forward (disengaged) but, not backwards. Now turn the shaft in the other direction (like you were trying to propel the truck backwards).....now the raised wheel will spin backwards but, not forward. There's nothing wrong with it. The raised wheel just thinks it's the outside wheel in a turn and spinning faster than the inside wheel (one on the ground) and will disengage it's dog clutch........the clicking that you're hearing----------Hans

 

[broncomitch]

that's how lunch box lockers work.

when me and my brother did a install for detroit's locker for the rockwell . the right would spin freely with clicking. the left would turn the driveshaft. but it works perfectly with no problem. my lunchbox locker did the same thing. your fine.

fire the bronco up with the front tires chocked and the rear on stands and put it in gear. should spin both tires .

 

[jimmy18thing]

Haha... Looks like we have a few different opinions... Figures. Well I will have to check it out to be sure guys. I will update when I know more. Thanks