Powertrax Lockright doesn't unlock!

I've spent way too much time taking this thing apart and putting it back together trying to figure out why it doesn't work, only to finally discover that the intended driver gap can't be achieved while the spacer clearance is within tolerance. Putting the space clearance at the minimum results in a driver gap that is within spec, but only by 0.010", and brand new side gear thrust washers and an almost-new carrier are 0.024" too loose.
If you plan to install a PowerTrax or an Torqmaster Aussie locker it's a good idea to have some spare side gear thrust washers on hand - they're too cheap to try to skimp out on it! www.4wheelparts.com/p/dana-sp...

[@edjeep]

started having problems with my lockrites after a year, I ended up installing a detroit true trac and that thing worked so good, i also put one in my tacoma... they are so quite, and troublefree, and my tacoma is a 2005 !

[@227lazer]

Detroit is the best

[@codypothier3744]

It's hard dealing with people who are too pig headed to accept that the person on the other end of the phone isn't a total dummy and might actually have an issue that falls outside of the typical parameters of incorrect installation.

[@sweet65mustang]

I'm going through this right now with one of my Trackers. I put one on a vehicle and it works perfectly and the other one i've had in and out 5 times and can't figure out why it doesn't work. I even liked the Lockrite out and put in a spartan and that don't work Next I'm going to try a completely different 3rd member, thankfully I have a few.

[@ninjascout468]

I have a 1993 xj and have 30k + miles on mine in my dana 35 wheeled hard daily driver, never had a problem and last time the cover was off it looked new

[@harrisonchristopher5042]

I'm having this exact issue with my YJ, so frustrating. Spartain locker will be here tomorrow

[@freedomin4low344]

it sucks doesn't it! Don't know what's going on with them.

[@harrisonchristopher5042]

@@freedomin4low344 I talked with Powertrax on the phone and they told me that I just needed to get a thrust washer that was .015 thicker to bring that driver gap into spec. Told them that adding that much would cause my pinion shaft to not clear the spacers. The guy on the phone said “well I don’t know what to tell you”

[@FullMetalFab]

Well this sucks to find out, the Powertrax lockright is the only locker I can find for 10 spline axles. I have a JD 314 that uses a Dana GT30 axle (garden tractor Dana 30 axle) and the axles are 10 spline like the Dana 25 axles. I want a locker for plowing snow and make the machine better for garden work but really don't want to blow the machine apart to find the locker out of spec like that. Great video.

[@freedomin4low344]

in all likelihood you'll be fine. There are plenty of those out there working, I think I just got one that slipped through the QC cracks and it was easier to return it than to find someone at their HQ that would believe that I'm capable of using a caliper.

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Dang that is frustrating man! With you going the direction of the Aussie Locker, I assume Torq Masters, definitely don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you still have issues with the tolerances and they will get you all the info you need and supply you with the correct thrust washers to get you runnin! Best of luck to you!

[@freedomin4low344]

I actually ended up ordering the Torq once I learned more about it. It went in perfectly with the washers I had, even toward the tight side of the tolerance at between 0.145-150" driver gap. Still gotta finish buttoning everything up but it passes the operational test so it looks like I'm good to go!

[@dad3562]

@@freedomin4low344 how’s it been working out?

[@freedomin4low344]

@@dad3562 I really like the Torq locker. I can't hear it ratcheting around corners unless I clutch in and let it idle, with doors off, in a neighborhood so the sound bounces back to me off the curb. I like it a lot on trails where there's a lot of soil, sand, lose rock, etc. and I've barely even needed the rear locker. The only time I've wished for a selectable locker is when I took it to Disney, OK last weekend and drove around on 25 acres of solid bare limestone below the lake spillway. It was super grippy and my power steering pump was letting me know it wasn't happy about it.

[@dad3562]

@@freedomin4low344 that’s so cool! Think it would hold up good in the rear? Manual transmission.

[@freedomin4low344]

@@dad3562 I would hesitate to put one in the rear. Even if it held up I don't think it would be much fun to drive. A lot of the reason it works in the front is because it's not driven in 2WD on the street. Put it in the rear and you're likely to have a lot more pops and bans, and weird steering behavior at driveway, parking lot, and residential speeds.

[@metaldemon60]

I bought one a few years ago. It never worked properly. Their customer service is really bad, and tried to blame it on everything else. I finally threw it away.

[@jeepingeo]

Got everything back together and tested it. For reference the housing is the original housing but not worn loose. I did new thrust washers and my spacer gap was .013" on each side of the cross shaft. I've tested it, both axles will turn with each other when locked at the hubs BUT I cannot get the unit to ratchet and neither wheel will turn opposite each other for the test. Im not sure if that's correct or not, I'd hate to think I did something wrong

[@freedomin4low344]

If you watch my follow up video where I compare the different lockers, you'll see where I test it at the end, how I make it luck vs unlock and see how much effort it takes to make it unlock. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it doesn't read to me like yours is working correctly.

[@jeepingeo]

@@freedomin4low344 Youre probably correct. thanks for the info & reply I'll be sure to watch

[@codypothier3744]

I have a lock right in a front 60, I could never make it ratchet or turn opposite but it works perfect and has been in use for 7 years of medium wheeling. 🤷‍♂️

[@codypothier3744]

What brought me to your vid was, I just installed one in my other truck and had a hell of a time with the small pins. They refuse to seat in the opposite driver. I used way more force than what I feel necessary to drive them over and they still only went about ¾ of the way. JUST far enough that I could get the springs in, even so the springs are almost fully compressed and I'm worried they're not effectively captured in the little window there. As it is, I'll probably not be able to get it apart, since I drove the pins in so hard.. 🙄.. I dunno, the first one I installed was a breeze and this has just been a total fuck lol

[@jeepingeo]

I was confused at first, but now I think I understand after rewatching. The locker & both axle shafts locked up completely from being too tight? So neither side would spin at all, correct?

[@freedomin4low344]

Actually it was too loose, so the pins would get sideways and bind up, preventing the sections from moving. End result is the same, locker won't unlock.

[@jeepingeo]

@@freedomin4low344 Tanks for the quick reply man! I just installed a lock rite in my CJ Dana 30. The carrier was original so the shim surfaces were worn, replaced those and checked pinion to spacer tolerances and each side was .013" which is within spec. However I did not check for that final gap of 5/32"...Have to test it out today and see if it will unlock when I turn!

[@Catboy-hr2qp]

Did you ever get a lunchbox locker working in your jeep? Looking at one for the rear of my wj with a d44a so there the only option for lockers unless i wanna swap axles

[@freedomin4low344]

Yes, Torq is in and working. I'm not sure I'd want an auto locker in the rear though, unless it's a dedicated trail rig. It's mostly invisible in a non-driven axle but I would expect a lot more "behavior" in the rear axle on pavement, such as pops and bangs in parking lots, understeer, unpredictability in snow/ice. It's easy enough to change back so I guess it's only a little time and money to try it out, and living with those quirks may be better than an axle swap. I know nothing about the axle options for a WJ but if an axle swap means taking something from a different vehicle and having to weld on all the brackets I could probably live with those quirks.

[@freedomin4low344]

If you look at my channel there's a follow up video to this one where I compare several lunchbox locker options.

[@Catboy-hr2qp]

@4Low Garage only bolt on axle options for the wj are d44 aluminum which I have, pretty much a d44 with an aluminum center section but uses a d60 ring gear I believe so cant use standard d44 lockers or d60 lockers its its own thing, and a d35 that you can't even put a super 35 kit in because the axle shafts need to be longer, a jk d44 swap is fairly easy bracket kits are sold for front and rear that allow use of factory control arms/linkage but like you said that requires welding and would be cheaper/easier to try out the aussie for a few thousand miles to see if I can live with it or not, alot of people don't seem to mind them on a daily driver in the rear, and I drive like a grandma anyways lol

[@dano4572]

Hate it when this happens to the nice guy!! I don’t get it either! Musician was groovy man!!

[@keniferusxj7047]

Are you positive spider gear shims were removed ?

[@freedomin4low344]

yes, spider gear washers were removed, side gear washers were still installed (per the instructions). I have a followup video where I installed a Torq locker, in the same carrier, and it stacked up perfectly fine and operates normally.

[@dano4572]

Detroit true trac!!!

[@freedomin4low344]

Trutrac is a great option for snow and pavement race application but its a torsen style limited slip and still has issues if a tire is completely off the ground. Ultimately I'd like another e-locker but this will do for now.

[@bingobandit]

Taking mine out way to noisy

[@227lazer]

Is it possible your carrier is worn.

[@freedomin4low344]

That was their excuse but it was almost new with 5k miles on it and their competitors lockers fit just fine, on the tight side, even.

[@timwilliams2035]

The pins like to shear off and fall in anyhow. They kinda suck

[@jimcushman5060]

I put a lunch box in my CJ5 not long ago. It seems to work but it clicks when turn Conor’s people look at yo7 like the resend is trash. When you let off the gas it throw the rear sideways some. I going to change it this winter. Go with a limited slip.

[@TJHill-qx9hy]

I don't know if you read any of the literature that came with the directions, but short wheel based (and Narrow track) vehicles like a CJ5 will definitely get 'funky' either getting on the gas OR abruptly getting Off the gas. I put an Aussie Locker in my CJ5 (Dana 44's front & Back) and yes, she made noise going around corners, and she would 'Bang" every now and then. People would look, and I'd just smile and say that when the Jeep is off-road, it'll go places that you can't ;-) Living with a locker shows that you have upped your man-card into driving, and handling a vehicle that is ready for off-roading adventures, and you could care less what other people think! Enjoy that CJ, I wish I had mine back 😞

[@pmd3211]

Mill it

[@chrismott186]

Those do NOT use thrust washers

[@freedomin4low344]

That's not what my install manual said, and if I had done it without washers it would have been even farther out of spec and still wouldn't have worked.

[@DanielThompson-rl4xm]

I put the old side gear shims AND the spare pinion gear shims I had left over from regearing to get my lock-right in spec. I think the powertrax is right for some vehicles, but is a very lazy design for many others (they make an initial design, and refuse to make any improvements or redesigns to fix original design flaws). It works for me, but I've already had to weld the pin holes because they were cracked and broken from the forces from ratcheting. Also, the caps for the axles heads were cracked and breaking apart (mine is c-clip design, so a cap goes over c-clip between side plate and drive plate). Many axles are different, and require different lock-right plate designs and set up. Some may not require shim washers, but mine did, but they don't provide shim washer kits, so I had to improvise.