[SierraDan]

I'm installing my Spartan locker at the moment.
I'm having trouble getting the cross pins into the cradle, as the provided washers have raised the cradle a bees dick too high.
Anybody got a solution?
(other than "chuck it in the bin")

Cheers

[nato78]

I had exactly the same problem. I pit the washer in the vice and took a tiny bit off the face with the angle grinder until I could get it to fit. Make sure you only take a tiny bit at a time and check between grinds to make sure you don't take too much material off

[SierraDan]

My side gears appear to have a lip that christovers didn't have, same as the instructions. Could this be my clearance issue? Would filing this down help?

[nato78]

I wouldn't take any material off your side gears, that lip is to keep the side gears in the right location. Much easier to grind the washer face. Once it's in make sure you let the guys from lowrange know, coz when I told them they said they had never hears of this problem before

[Built4thrashing]

get and use some sierra side gears without this lip. They have a flatted tooth and make a better contact with the locker.

[SierraDan]

Any body got some in Newcastle they wanna swap?
Need them today haha.

[SierraDan]

[boostedbrick]

Are you sure there isnt a shim still in the center where the sidegears fit in? I had to get a set of long nose pliers into mine to remove it, its not that visible when its in location and stuck down with oil.

[SierraDan]

Yeah, got those off already, that's what I first thought was stopping me. Still not it.
I'm pretty sure it's the side gears causing the issue.

[shandy92]

mate when i had my lockright installed, my mech said that it took him 7-8 attempts to get the right amount of meat of the washers. i wouldnt use an angle grinder tho, might take to much off.

[boostedbrick]

SierraDan wrote:

Yeah, got those off already, that's what I first thought was stopping me. Still not it.
I'm pretty sure it's the side gears causing the issue.

Spartan arnt the highest quality bits out there, but both of mine went in with alot of fiddling and turning the cage to get the cross pins to slide in. Shaving the washers down to fit it sounds pretty bloody dodgy.

[gregdixon]

I had to "machine" down my washers to fit my locker. I had the grinder secured upside down and used the bottom of the disc to take the metal off evenly. But I am not recommending it.

[SierraDan]

I "machined" the washers. I am locked!

[3cyl]

Some Lockrights I've done I had to file down the sides of the cross shaft cage to get clearance. Cross shafts need to slide in freely. Would be pretty clunky and not release in corners otherwise.

[SierraDan]

The pins move freely, it was just the centre cage not being in the right spot.
However it's not unlocking..

[nato78]

How have you checked it? Have you taken it for a drive yet? I found that after a short drive with lots of cornering, it freed up nicely

[Built4thrashing]

when first installed mine wouldnt unlock but after some gentle wheeling it has free'd up . It just takes some time for the diff oil to penetrate everything and wash out the grease used on the springs and pins during instalation.

[SierraDan]

I took it for a drive around the street. Then went to the quarry and drove through some rutted bits, LOVE THE LOCKER HOLY CRAP!!!
but yeah, it started clicking a little more on the way back after that.
So I'll give it this week, and some wheeling on the weekend before I do anything.

[nato78]

Give it a week or so, then change your diff oil

[SierraDan]

Will do. Cheers.
At least I'm locked but

[nato78]

[shane1992]

Hey mate, how did you find the installation? apart from your problem you bumped into..
I havent taken apart a diff centre before, but thinking of doing it myself..

[SierraDan]

I've never touched a diff before. And everything I know about cars is from having a go at something after reading up on how to do it.
It's really piss easy. Just keep track of everything, I marked everything with a white marker. Some things are tight to undo but going back in it's easy.
I wouldn't hesitate doing it again. Glad I I'd it myself, just to get that experience and understanding.

[nato78]

shane1992 wrote:

Hey mate, how did you find the installation? apart from your problem you bumped into..
I havent taken apart a diff centre before, but thinking of doing it myself..

I'd never touched a diff before I put my locker in either. I just made sure I marked everything with a punch as I took it apart.

I used a workshop manual as well as the instructions that came in the kit, but the most useful info I found was in christovers write up in the good tech section.

Just get in and have a go, what could possibly go wrong