Dumped my diff covers about two weeks ago and noticed some chunks missing from the spyder gears. Ordered new spyders and clutch pack from the dealership three times and three times have received the same wrong parts. The new clutch packs are coming with smaller retaining clips and a beveled shim which does not seem to fit in the carrier. Has anybody replaced Trac Lok components ? Dealership has ordered this kit according to my vin # and they tell me the only difference in kits is the ring gear bolt size. Ring gear bolts are 1/2 inch which is what I have been receiving with the new kits. The new cluthpacks have a different # of clutches and steels than the factory packs have. A mechanic is trying to tell me they are supposed to. How could this be? Anybody who has experience with this please chime in. I am not doing this project on my own. I have a very good friend who is doing the work with me, an expirienced mechanic who also believes these clutch packs are different and do not fit. The spyder gears coming in the kits are correct...Thanks for any input provided.

 

I am really trying to figure out if I am wrong and there is reason these clutch packs would be different.

 

What retaining clips are you referring to? Is it at all possible that you are getting Rubicon parts? That could explain it as the inside diameter of the clutch and steels would likely be different. The beveled washers you describe are the preload washers. My advice is to stop messing around with inferior parts and look at the Dana Powerlock....that is unless you're interested in an all out locker. The factory Trac Lock is a very piss poor design. It is a torque sensing unit (well, it's supposed to be). That means, the more torque it senses from the drive shaft, the tighter it's supposed to lock the axles together. You know those beveled washers you're talking about? They are the ONLY things that makes that happen. Yeah, that's right. ALL of the Jeep's torque is transfered through those small crappy washers. The Dana Powerlock is a much heavier duty design and uses a preload spring pack in the middle of the carrier that is much stronger. Trash the Trac Lock. You'll be glad you did.

 

thanks for the reply redneck..So you think these are rubi parts? The clutch pack that came out of the rear end had no beveled ring or spacer. Just the pack of flat clutches and steeles.

 

Trust me, it HAD beveled washers at one point. They probably got smashed flat. It doesn't take much. ....and no, I suffered from a brain fart when I said they might be Rubi parts. The Rubis come with lockers, not limited slips. Sorry bout that. I don't know what the problem might be, but I know one thing. When I have a problem with MY Trac Lock, it's goin in the garbage can.

 

I just had the same issue....drained the rear and it was full of metal....pulled the diff covers and it was same thing....spider gears shot. Chunks missing off them. Supposedly this is from over sized tires (35's) and maybe not being geared right....

So I switched to a 4:88 and what a differnece......should have put them in a long time ago. Anyway I have the trac lock in my Sahara Dana 44. The Rubicon has an electronic locker which should be totally different that the trac lock spider gears. I have the 1/2" ring gear bolts too...you need to tell them this as well. The job was started on Saturday and because we couldn't get the correct parts we were stuck until Tuesday.

I live in TX and after speaking with a more experienced parts guy we found the correct part in Ohio & New Mexico. I called up the part guy in Ohio, confirmed the part and shipped it overnight and yes it was correct. But these are not sitting in the shelves anywhere.

So for only 110.00 for the part & 40.00 for the overnight service the problem was solved. I really wanted to upgrade to some lockers of some sort but that would have pushed it over 800.00 for anything decent.

I know I will have to replace the trac lock POS system down the road again, but 60k miles for the 1st gear kit wasn't bad.....keep in mind I am really just a daily driver. The trac lock system will not hold up for serious off road enthusiasts.

Not saying this is what you need, but might give you a start......this is what I needed after several hours of searching with the dealers..
Part Number 68035643AA Gear Kit - retails for 136.00 sold to me for 104.00

 

IMO this is about the best LSD you can get, had them in my bronco running 38"s and never had a problem. No clutches to wear out, just give them good oil.



Lockers are better in the end, but if price is an issue this is the way to go.