Locker making a clunking noise

Does anybody know about a Powertrax automatic positive locking differential? I have a 2.7l 5spd and the differential is making a clunking noise when I go around turns. If I don't push the clutch in when I go around sharp turns then the truck starts bouncing around.

 

Do you have the locker installed? Those automatic lockers make a very audible "clack clack clack" sound when taking turns because they're disengaged...they're only supposed to lock when they sense that one wheel is slipping. By "clunking" noise and "jumping around" it sounds like yours is locked on turns, which isn't good. Either you're taking turns too quickly and it's sensing your wheels slipping, or it could be that it's stuck in the locked position. Not sure how you can fix that without taking it out and looking at it. How fast are you taking your turns?

I had one of those for about a year in my last truck, I sold it though so I don't know how the locker fared over time. I was always afraid of something like that happening though.

 

It's normal to here a ratcheting/clicking while going around a turn on dry pavement. You can occasionally hear a loud pop if you're accelerating through the turn. Go "gentle" in the tight turns on pavement and it will be fine.

 

eon_blue I don't take turns very fast at all, I'm a pretty slow driver but it really doesn't matter how slow or fast I go. I've been trying to feather the clutch and throttle and it helps some but sometimes when I'm just driving ill hear a loud clunk and my truck will shift to one side or the other. Usually happens after I get into 4th or 5th gear. Does having a light truck have anything to do with it?

 

and yes I do have the locker installed

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but when you shift, the gears may suddenly change speeds and it sounds like the locker wants to lock when that happens, causing the truck to jerk to one side or the other. I wouldn't say that's normal for these lockers, they may occasionally do this on turns (which is why you'll sometimes hear a loud POP if you take a turn too quick or slip on a wet spot), but for the most part the locker should stay disengaged until one wheel is slipping and needs traction. Sounds to me like something is wrong with the locker and it may need to be removed. Don't quote me on that though (figuratively speaking), let's see if someone else on here has had a similar issue and can chime in.

How long has the locker been in your truck?

 

Here's some more info.

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/lock-right-locker.htm

 

Manuals and those types lockers are finicky

 

I thought the same thing. and I'm getting ahold of the guy that owned it before me. ive had the truck for just about a year now. I talked to a guy at work and he thinks it may be the clutches?

 

Yeah when I had mine it was in an auto, now that I think about it I can imagine they'd be real temperamental with a manual trans...

 

Lockers do NOT have clutches

Have you checked your tire pressures? With a locker its important that both tires on that axle be exactly the same diameter, and have the same air pressure.

 

okay now whats the easiest way to change it out. do I have to get a new set of gears?

 

If you want to get rid of the locker, then the easiest thing to do, is replace the differential with a non-locked version, with the same gear ratio that you currently have. Then you can sell the locked differential if its any good.

 

Now that I think about it, I did remove the locker out of my old truck before I sold it. I remember it was real easy to do, took a couple of hours just had to disassemble the rear diff, take the locker out and put it back together again. Only thing I can't remember for sure though was whether or not there were any OEM parts that were removed during installation that had to be put back in, it was so long ago I can't say for sure...sorry. But it was real easy for me and a buddy to do and I had virtually no experience back then.

 

See if you can download the installation instructions for the locker off their website and go from there.

 

okay thanks guys I appreciate it!

 

I changed out the locker for an open differential. definitely a good decision. Truck feels like I'm riding on a cloud

 

Nice, was it relatively easy to take out?

If you go the locker route again, get a selective ARB air locker. Pricey but worth it

 

well me and a guy I work with haven't done it before but we both seemed to have a pretty good idea about it. with the help of some alcohol it took just over 5 hours haha. and I think I'm going to stick with an open differential. I'm getting married soon and I need to save up some money.

 

Try driving on the street with spool !!!