Mechanical Locker Query

[whatthe?]

I installed a lock-right locker in my car yesterday and I just have a few questions about this type of diff that I havent been able to find answers to on google as most uses for these things seem to be in the front diff of 4x4s.

1) How much play is acceptable at the yoke before you start to feel resistance? It seems to be able to move about 2.5 - 3 cm before it hits some resistance and the axles start moving. The limited info I could find on the net suggests that these things have significantly more backlash in the actual mechanism than other types of diffs which is necessary for the thing to lock and unlock
2) I know these things make a "ratcheting" noise when theyre engaged around corners, but is a god-awful clunking noise around tight corners (ie; negotiating a carpark) when the locker isnt engaged normal? I've had diffs missing teeth that sound better. Once it's locked, it's fairly quiet
3) Do they get quieter as they wear in? This one is a brand spanker, has about 20km on it so far

I wont be worried if all this is normal, just want to make sure I'm not going to break it prematurely

Thanks

[SL666]

hmm i have one of these waiting to go in my hilux... i hope its not as bad as all that.. my diff has an a$$load of backlash in it already but it will be getting rebuilt before it goes in anyway..

[LeeRoy]

It might be a bit off topic, but Linden's put a 1j in some dudes car and it had a Kaaz 2 way and i went for a spin in it and around corners it made crazy sounds like what you mention. Like yours, that one was new also but Linden said that after driving it for a bit it wore in, loosened up, and now it makes very little noise if any, especially compared to when it was new.

- LeeRoy

[millsi]

around tight corners (ie; negotiating a carpark)

lol thats cred right there!!!

[joe90]

Check out 4wd systems website for a bunch of info on them.My bro inlaw has them front and rear in his hilux and it's only slightly noisy around corners(have to be trying to hear it).Did you fit it yourself?If so you may need to get it adjusted by a pro.

cheers joe

[Smokey228]

ive got the same noise your talking about. ive had it for about 3months, done about 5000k's now and its still going strong. its only a welded jobbie to...

i thought at first it was bad, but i figure now, seeing nothing has gone pop yet, that its not soo bad.
i found that when i engage clutch and turn sharp i get loud clunking noises aswell as the expected chirping noise that the tyres make, except if i edge the clutch in a lil, the extra tension on the diff centre stops the noise.
so i figure that the noise is jus movement inside the diff housing. ie. when you turn right, the right wheel (being the inside) is traveling less distance yet moving the same speed so it chrips. lets call this jumping
when the inside wheel jumps to keep up with the outer wheel, it 'jumps' into place. and makes that loud clunk...? it suddenly takes all the 'slack' out of the centre and causes the loud clunking noises?

it sort of makes sense when i think about it, but im not exactly upto scratch with the whole diff working jargon atm. but its a theory

jase

[SL666]

ahh the locker chirp

[RA65 Sleeka]

Dont worrie they are noisey at first. but they do get quite.
Been a irs diff they are a bit louder then the same diff in a live axle.