Aussie Locker Question
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
if you read their website, Aussie makes it clear that you will experience this "Ratcheting" when turning tight corners. I little research would have revealed this very quick. Detroit lockers do the same thing.
The ratcheting is your sign that the locker is working properly. The locker is in a locked position at standstill, and torque applied through the drive shaft in 4wd tightens it so it is locked tighter with more torque. In 2wd, the driveshaft is still turning, so you will get the ratchet because with no torque, the locker will disengage when turning.
Bottom line: This is normal and is one of the downsides to an Auto locker. I have had mine since my JK was almost new (3 years) and am completely used to it, in fact, like you, sometimes when cold, I worry when I do not hear it ratchet. I am actually relieved when I hear my nice clunck. The major upside to an auto locker is that you can easily install it yourself, they are very inexpensive, and they work great on the trail.
There is no perfect unit. With selectable lockers you will fight the cost, and then there is the air vs. electric vs. cable units. i am a big fan of Aussie in the front because of the reasons above. I love my Aussie, but I too could do with out the ratchet, but not for 3 or 4 times the cost.
The ratcheting is your sign that the locker is working properly. The locker is in a locked position at standstill, and torque applied through the drive shaft in 4wd tightens it so it is locked tighter with more torque. In 2wd, the driveshaft is still turning, so you will get the ratchet because with no torque, the locker will disengage when turning.
Bottom line: This is normal and is one of the downsides to an Auto locker. I have had mine since my JK was almost new (3 years) and am completely used to it, in fact, like you, sometimes when cold, I worry when I do not hear it ratchet. I am actually relieved when I hear my nice clunck. The major upside to an auto locker is that you can easily install it yourself, they are very inexpensive, and they work great on the trail.
There is no perfect unit. With selectable lockers you will fight the cost, and then there is the air vs. electric vs. cable units. i am a big fan of Aussie in the front because of the reasons above. I love my Aussie, but I too could do with out the ratchet, but not for 3 or 4 times the cost.
Do not get me wrong, I want to like this product. I honestly even think I might not have it installed right. I am just trying to get input on how I might resolve this issue.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,665
Likes: 4
From: Hammond Louisiana
Ugh... that doesn't make me very happy about my purchase... I was just hoping that perhaps I installed mine incorrectly. Aussie's literature would lead you to believe that other than clicking noises that you wouldn't even know you had a front locker until you engaged 4WD.
I still find it odd that the behavior gets worse when it warms up. Did you ever try and play around with increasing the cam spacing to see fi that had any effect on the behavior you experience?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,665
Likes: 4
From: Hammond Louisiana
I haven't messed with it. It's been on my to do list but keeps taking a backseat.I talked to Srceamin Lizard Customs one time cause a guy brought his in one time and they fixed his by replacing the carrier. I asked them if they used one different from what they took out and they said no, same carrier,just a new one, go figure.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
yes I do feel the clunk. With the research that I did before hand (actually for my TJ before my JK), I expected it. Sounds and feels like something is wrong, and I have even had other jeepers ask me if something was wrong till I tell them what it is...then they understand as they know it is normal.
What you are feeling and hearing is normal.
What you are feeling and hearing is normal.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
I have installed 3 aussie lockers and all of them work well. I had an issue with one of them but was using TJ trust washers at that time. If you have the JK version, this should not be an issue.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
The instructions say it should be between 0.145 and 0.170. When I installed mine it was right at 0.145, so it was the smallest possible spacing that Aussie says is sufficient.
I wonder if I were to pull it and redo the shims to pull that gap wider, close to the 0.170 end of that spectrum, if I would had a different experience.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
its all a matter of taste and tolerance. Some people hate Jeeps in general. Heck some people hate NASCAR! I don't understand why, but some people are different.
People love them or hate them and only you can decide what you want to tolerate. For me, I can admit i don't like the ratchet, but i choose to tolerate it because I am too cheap to go selectable, and it works fantastic on the trail.
Experience it for a while, and if you just can not handle it, pull it. If you find it getting more tolerable like me. keep it. You will not be disappointed on the rocks, I can tell you that!
People love them or hate them and only you can decide what you want to tolerate. For me, I can admit i don't like the ratchet, but i choose to tolerate it because I am too cheap to go selectable, and it works fantastic on the trail.
Experience it for a while, and if you just can not handle it, pull it. If you find it getting more tolerable like me. keep it. You will not be disappointed on the rocks, I can tell you that!
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
yes I do feel the clunk. With the research that I did before hand (actually for my TJ before my JK), I expected it. Sounds and feels like something is wrong, and I have even had other jeepers ask me if something was wrong till I tell them what it is...then they understand as they know it is normal.
What you are feeling and hearing is normal.
What you are feeling and hearing is normal.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
A wheel locked U turn sounds and feel like something is wrong. This is my second aussie and it is normal. I don't like doing tight U Turn either, but i just slow down, and am completely used to it now. Like I said, not my favorite attribute, but for the money and off road performance? I am good