I have 08 Rubi with a front locker which leads me to the following question.

What should be the determining factor to lock it in or not.

I have read that having it unlocked reduces the possibility of causing front axle damage, but if it is unlocked is it not harder on the spiders.

Yesterday one of the guys in our group blew a u-joint and it wrecked the ears on the axle. He has an 03 Rubi and was locked at the time. On the way home he thought that if he had been unlocked it would not have blown. He was in deep snow at the time and the temp about 5 deg f.

Can some one explain what the best way to use a front locker is.

Thanks

 

Quick and easy answer:

Run open all the time!

The only time you should be using the lockers are when you lost total traction.

Only lock the front when you are going straight... It will be near impossible to turn when it's locked.

IMO, When i lose traction, i start with the rear only, And gently crawl my way up. If that does not work, I lock the front.

You want to be extremely careful about having too much traction while locked, As you will bind up, And possibly snap an axle shaft.

Learn to wheel open first, And pretend you do not have lockers... It will make you a better driver.

 

X2- Mostly.

I would add that if you are following someone and you observe the obsticle could benifit from the use of either the rear and/or front locker then engageing them in anticipation is ok.

Most of the time I prefer to be open, the only time the lockers engage is when I need the traction. I can go all day while off road and never use them.

The JK already has enough issues with turning radius, no reason to make life harder by having them on when they are not needed.

 

i am having gears and lockers put in my jeep at this time and i will also use that info when im wheelin.. thanks guys

 

X3 on using skill first and equipment second!

 

yes, especially with these new jk's and their bld's (brake lock differentials,) You should hardly ever need to use your lockers at all. where they will benefit you is allow you to go over an obstacle a little more smoothly, it can be the difference in powering over an obstacle and easing over it. BLD's work pretty good, but you have to use a little more throttle when one wheel starts to spin.

Something I was wondering, BLD's do good in mud in my experience ( the torque difference isn't as great as hanging a wheel in the air, so it is easier to equalize wheel speed,) but the only drawback is having to use more throttle to overcome the braking action. Not a big deal if you have 4.10's or an automatci, but with 32" tires and a stick that has 3.21's there are times when that is not enough torque and you bog down your jeep.

 

X4 from me as well, I only use them when i start loosing traction and i know its only going to get worse or if it looks like a real low traction situation and you are crawling.

 

I'd like more info about the guy who lost his front axle. Was it a stock Rubicon with no mods (larger tire size ect)? If your keeping it stock, run the lockers whenever you want. That's why you bought it, and that's what the lifetime warranty is for!!!
Obviously, when I say use them where/when you want to, I mean in an off road location where your trying to stop the wheel spin. Read your owners manual. It's loaded with good info and your best friend if/when something breaks. Just read the manual to the service tec and tell him why you ran locked.

 

what he said. i had a 2006 rubi unlimited before the jk and would hit what i called the "panic button" quite a bit. having said that, it works best to click on the front just before tackling an obstacle head on that won't require turning the wheel much. walk the obstacle and as you clear it and theres no load on the drivetrain click it right back off. the more steering angle you put in the more stress the ujoints will have to put up with. anticipate your line, arm. conquer and disarm with no load.

 

As you get to know you're Jeep's capabilities, you'll get a feel for the obstacle you're facing. Then switching on a locker or two will become almost automatic. X100 on what's been said previously. If you even think you may not need it, keep it off.