Aussie Locker Question
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
I don't think tolerances will help. Remember, this thing has to go from a static locked position, and then ratchet over itself for a turn. No tolerances can change those physics. Keep good gear oil in it and it makes it a little smoother, but just a little.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
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
Last edited by u-joint; Aug 19, 2010 at 03:02 AM.
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 3
From: Terryville, LI, NY
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.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I fully agree. I had a friend, who is an axle specialist (drag racing for the most part) do my installation. The ratcheting is normal and not really intrusive. The occasional clunk doesn't bother me either. It's been in for just about a month, and for the cost, nothing else comes close. We're planning our customary October family weekend of wheeling (four Wranglers and a Scout) and some winter snow wheeling at my sister's in Maine. I'm looking forward to the improvement over last year.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I was just re-reading the instructions and an interesting warning popped out at me.
I added the emphases on the "if it is too narrow it can bind up".
I am going to have to try pulling this unit and increasing the cam gear spacing and see if that alleviates this binding.
The gap down the center of the locker must be within tolerance for the unit to operate properly. If it is too narrow it can bind up, and if it is too loose the can gears can become damaged.
I am going to have to try pulling this unit and increasing the cam gear spacing and see if that alleviates this binding.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I just got off the phone with an engineer with Aussie and he explain a lot of interesting things to me.
Apparently (at least according to Aussie), I was correct in my assumption that other than noises there should be no noticeable difference between a vehicle (while in 2WD) with an Aussie locker versus a vehicle with spider gears. I even reasked the question about doing a u-turn while powering through it, and he agreed that the Jeep shouldn't be binding/locking/lurching/etc.
Ty (the gentlemen with Aussie) finds it odd that the behavior becomes more pronounced after the Jeep has heated up. Apparently the difference in temperature between the operating temp and the ambient temp is too little to cause the locker to behave in this fashion.
I was told to perform the wheel spin test and to see if the locker engages and disengages per the instructions. I was also asked to check the front drive shaft, and see how far it could be rotated by hand before the locker engaged. Additionally when I take my Jeep back in for it's follow-up visit for it's gears I was instructed to have them double check the shaft to axle gear spacing, and adjust if needed.
If all those things turned out ok and I am still experiencing this problem Ty mentioned that there had been a couple of reports of some 2007 builds (my '08 was an August '07 build) having a transfer case that still sent power (how much, he didn't say, but I'd imagine not much) to the front differential while in 2WD. He said we'd cross that bridge if we got there.
All-in-all I am really impressed with Aussie's customer service. Ty and I spoke for nearly 30 minutes and was extremely knowledgable. He gave me his cell number and invited me to call him back directly should I be unable to resolve my situation.
I highly encourage all of you who are experiencing issues like this with your Aussie to contact them and give them a chance to work with you. Just my 2-cents
Apparently (at least according to Aussie), I was correct in my assumption that other than noises there should be no noticeable difference between a vehicle (while in 2WD) with an Aussie locker versus a vehicle with spider gears. I even reasked the question about doing a u-turn while powering through it, and he agreed that the Jeep shouldn't be binding/locking/lurching/etc.
Ty (the gentlemen with Aussie) finds it odd that the behavior becomes more pronounced after the Jeep has heated up. Apparently the difference in temperature between the operating temp and the ambient temp is too little to cause the locker to behave in this fashion.
I was told to perform the wheel spin test and to see if the locker engages and disengages per the instructions. I was also asked to check the front drive shaft, and see how far it could be rotated by hand before the locker engaged. Additionally when I take my Jeep back in for it's follow-up visit for it's gears I was instructed to have them double check the shaft to axle gear spacing, and adjust if needed.
If all those things turned out ok and I am still experiencing this problem Ty mentioned that there had been a couple of reports of some 2007 builds (my '08 was an August '07 build) having a transfer case that still sent power (how much, he didn't say, but I'd imagine not much) to the front differential while in 2WD. He said we'd cross that bridge if we got there.
All-in-all I am really impressed with Aussie's customer service. Ty and I spoke for nearly 30 minutes and was extremely knowledgable. He gave me his cell number and invited me to call him back directly should I be unable to resolve my situation.
I highly encourage all of you who are experiencing issues like this with your Aussie to contact them and give them a chance to work with you. Just my 2-cents
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Draper, Utah
so if I'm readin right this does not damage anything? when it clunks on a turn u can just keep going and ignore it and It will be fine? I am debated wether or not to get this! would you recommend it? thx!