[jmd-247]

I have recently installed a spartan auto locker in the back of my Sierra. After assembling and putting back in diff. New oil. (1.5 liters) I took it for a drive and it is heaps noisy like loud "cracks". Scared the crap out of me. It locks and drives ok just really really noisy. Is this normal!?

Cheers

Josh.

[SierraDan]

Is it brand new?

I have a spartan, when it was new it snapped and cracked. THen after the springs got some work it was good.
Then i thought it was shit again, but it was my diff gears exploding.

This time, after reassembly and being worn in, hardly know its there.

[jmd-247]

It only makes cracks and bangs when it's not locked in. Like coasting around a corner!? Scares the hell out of me. But it will wear in!?

[SierraDan]

Yeah that sounds kinda normal. Sounds like its a bee's dick too tight. But yes it will wear in.

When it wears in, it will just go click click click click around corners. But in slow speed areas where you're doing lots of turning and on and off the pedal, it may go bang. Thats just it binding up. Mine has gone bang maybe twice in the last 6months?

[jmd-247]

Yeah it makes a few clicks around corners but lots of bangs. First drive on it but. By too tight u mean not enough backlash!?

[SierraDan]

The sidegears in the hemisphere with the locker aren't allowing enough room to it to open and ratchet as easily.
Dont worry, it will sort itself out. Mine was worse. It was so tight it was mostly a spool!

[jmd-247]

Na mines not that tight. They were new side gears too tho. Which is probably the issue. I can feel it settling in as I drive. Was very weird at first hahaha cheers Dan.

[SierraDan]

Remember to drain the oil and put new stuff in at the end of a week. There will be "dust" in the oil from the wear.

[TasRat]

A mate had trouble with his locker when installed by himself and friend, both amatures, took it to a pro to adjust & set up correctly and you wouldn't know it's there now

[SierraDan]

Just do it properly and save yourself some coin.

[christover1]

I have a spartan in front of my Vit.
At first it banged a lot, locked and grabbed.
(fun on the steering)

Now I don't feel anything 98% of the time.

Occassionally get a clunk/bang when doing 3 point turns.
I select 2wd when possible for u turns now.

[jmd-247]

Well from what I have been told it doesn't do anything unusual at this stage. and as for the cost this is the exact reason I got a Sierra over a landcruiser or patrol. Sheer price of things If I break them. I'll see how it goes over the next couple of days. Wooo

[jonno_racing]

mine used to try to kill me. air locker or a spool I'm my cars from now on.

[SierraDan]

That's a coily for ya

[evski]

So off the topic, but how are the spartans on road? Ive had a lockrite in the front of a hilux before and loved it, but still unsure about running one in the rear of my zook. The whole swb thing, and the fact it's my daily are making me put it off. But my diff needs a rebuild, so it makes sense to put one in while it's in pieces. How bad are they on road?
Cheers Evan

[SierraDan]

Once you adapt to it it's fine. I don't think I'd want to go to open diff/air locker now because I'm so used to it.

I don't regret getting one and putting it In The rear at all

[evski]

Awesome, ill look into it! I'll be up your way later this month maybe we can arrange a test drive so I can make my mind up?

[worldo]

Happy with mine after 5 months of it. Hear it probably once a week if that. Wouldnt hesitate to autolock the front which I will do eventually

[ajsr]

if you have the money airlockers are great , the best option all round
if you dont geta lockrite/spartan
at the end of the day they all just lock the diff.
Ive had both and I didnt mind auto lockers but mine were set up correctly and I dont drive like a spanker

[shandy92]

mate i got a lockrite in the rear of my swb vit, had it in there for almost 12months. dont really no its there untill you try drive it like a normal car, i would get one again and you can trust them and not have to worry about them.