spartan locker problem... video inside

[RWKHausSupply]

I would almost venture to believe that your passenger side is more of an issue then your driver side. The driver side is breaking free and ratchet in just fine in that video the passenger side is locked to the drive shaft the whole time I know it looks like the tires spinning and that's what's ratchet in but look at the drive shaft the passenger side is locking.

Good luck with figuring it out though. I havent have a spartan back out of the box in about 18mo. And even then I have only had I think 3 out of about 500-600 and those were all from one batch all withing a 2-4mo period.

 

[DualSportDad]

What was wrong with that batch? This was purchased 2 years ago.

I know what the chances are... That's why I want to talk to the people that built the part and not just change it out. If its the nature of the beast then fine...I'll remove it and be done with it. If there's something wrong with it I want to know what. If its faulty I'll put another one in that is not.

If spartan knows there was a bad batch and I have a receipt showing the date of purchase is when that bad batch was released then they should step up and offer me a replacement. Time shouldn't be an issue here... I obviously can return a part to them with little wear that looks new. I'm sure most people don't build their rigs over night. I'd like think if I started building a rig and finished it 2 years later and on the first drive I noticed that a part was faulty that I wouldn't be SOL, esp if the company new that when the part was purchased there was a bad batch out there and its possible that I got one.

 

[DualSportDad]

Reading through this right now: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/front-spartan-locker-loud-popping-unloading-1215216/

These people are explaining my exact problem. Still on page one.

 

[plywoodttop]

IMO....your locker is fine....you bought a lunch box locker, it was cheap, dont expect ARB...

I have a spartan in both front and rear, i abuse em, they work well...but they are a inexpensive mechanical locker, simple.


my d30 in my 88 xj would like to ratchet on the street turning one direction(cant remember which)...same locker, 91 xj, no ratchet...and when i took it from 88 to 91, no marks or signs of wear from the abuse and ratcheting, i was very surprised. Both diffs were discos converted to 1 piece axles, both used the same long side axle. i even broke the splines off one axle in the locker....and many joints...


i think the d30 carriers have pretty loose production tolerances from the factory...

Hammer down

 

[DualSportDad]

Re: Re: spartan locker problem... video inside

IMO....your locker is fine....you bought a lunch box locker, it was cheap, dont expect ARB...

I have a spartan in both front and rear, i abuse em, they work well...but they are a inexpensive mechanical locker, simple.


my d30 in my 88 xj would like to ratchet on the street turning one direction(cant remember which)...same locker, 91 xj, no ratchet...and when i took it from 88 to 91, no marks or signs of wear from the abuse and ratcheting, i was very surprised. Both diffs were discos converted to 1 piece axles, both used the same long side axle. i even broke the splines off one axle in the locker....and many joints...


i think the d30 carriers have pretty loose production tolerances from the factory...

Hammer down

Did yours ever lock up on the street in 2wd? Mine locks up and I can't steer or if I'm in the middle of a turn it locks up and pushes the steering wheel back straight.

 

[BADaXJ]

I don't know what the problem is, but I would not consider that "normal" operation. I have a jeep with an aussie in the front and another with a spartan in the front. In 2wd, you would never know it's there...

 

[plywoodttop]

Did yours ever lock up on the street in 2wd? Mine locks up and I can't steer or if I'm in the middle of a turn it locks up and pushes the steering wheel back straight.

Yes, they are very sensitive, they always wanna lock...im used to it, thats why people always say air locker if you have the $$$ i have driven home in front wheel drive many times...it doesnt wanna steer...

 

[DualSportDad]

Thanks for the input. It seems to be loosening up. Still really noisy on left turns but no real binding on the way into work this morning or tight turns in and out of the shop.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I do recall the night I first installed my front spartan. As I pulled out of the garage I heard a couple very loud "Pop's". Enough to get out and look everything over. But from there I was golden. It's still in use in a buddy's XJ 3 years later

 

[in4aride]

Bent Housing - Axle is in side gear and clocking it so that its not true to the cam gear - causes the locker to try and lock.
.

This was my first thought.

 

[DualSportDad]

Axle tube or axle is not bent.

I drove the truck around town some today and it didn't lock the wheels once. Only had a few rough left turns as well. Other than that the locker seems to be wearing in. I'm going to give it another week or two and if it doesn't get better I'll order a lock right and sell this spartan.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

for the price tag of a spartan... i would not be happy.

i have an aussie. if i coast slow enough, i can barely hear it clicking at full lock over the engine idle. i really havent experienced any undesirable noises when in 4wd. the only time it is loud, is taking a sharp turn with some speed. but only a quick "bang" or "pop". passengers always freak out, "WTH was that!? what broke!?" nothing... lol. but if it were locking up and hindering my ability to steer... itd come out asap.

 

[DualSportDad]

Re: Re: spartan locker problem... video inside

for the price tag of a spartan... i would not be happy.

i have an aussie. if i coast slow enough, i can barely hear it clicking at full lock over the engine idle. i really havent experienced any undesirable noises when in 4wd. the only time it is loud, is taking a sharp turn with some speed. but only a quick "bang" or "pop". passengers always freak out, "WTH was that!? what broke!?" nothing... lol. but if it were locking up and hindering my ability to steer... itd come out asap.

I was pretty lucky ( I guess time will tell if I really did get lucky) to get this locker at a good price but only because it was a left over part from a build. Regardless of the price tho it'd be nice if I could talk to someone at spartan about my issue.

If this thing locks up again I will order a lock right and pull this and place it for sale with a disclaimer or suggestion that it be used in a trail rig only. Lock rights site has a tech info phone number right on their website. It seems like lock rights main problem is the springs get weak over time and need to be replaced... Which appears to be able to be done with the locker still installed. Sounds like a pretty fair trade off for a properly working locker and a manufacturer that offer technical assistance if needed.

 

[DualSportDad]

Re: Re: spartan locker problem... video inside

for the price tag of a spartan... i would not be happy.

i have an aussie. if i coast slow enough, i can barely hear it clicking at full lock over the engine idle. i really havent experienced any undesirable noises when in 4wd. the only time it is loud, is taking a sharp turn with some speed. but only a quick "bang" or "pop". passengers always freak out, "WTH was that!? what broke!?" nothing... lol. but if it were locking up and hindering my ability to steer... itd come out asap.

I was pretty lucky ( I guess time will tell if I really did get lucky) to get this locker at a good price but only because it was a left over part from a build. Regardless of the price tho it'd be nice if I could talk to someone at spartan about my issue.

If this thing locks up again I will order a lock right and pull this and place it for sale with a disclaimer or suggestion that it be used in a trail rig only. Lock rights site has a tech info phone number right on their website. It seems like lock rights main problem is the springs get weak over time and need to be replaced... Which appears to be able to be done with the locker still installed. Sounds like a pretty fair trade off for a properly working locker and a manufacturer that offer technical assistance if needed.

 

[DualSportDad]

Re: Re: spartan locker problem... video inside

for the price tag of a spartan... i would not be happy.

i have an aussie. if i coast slow enough, i can barely hear it clicking at full lock over the engine idle. i really havent experienced any undesirable noises when in 4wd. the only time it is loud, is taking a sharp turn with some speed. but only a quick "bang" or "pop". passengers always freak out, "WTH was that!? what broke!?" nothing... lol. but if it were locking up and hindering my ability to steer... itd come out asap.

I was pretty lucky ( I guess time will tell if I really did get lucky) to get this locker at a good price but only because it was a left over part from a build. Regardless of the price tho it'd be nice if I could talk to someone at spartan about my issue.

If this thing locks up again I will order a lock right and pull this and place it for sale with a disclaimer or suggestion that it be used in a trail rig only. Lock rights site has a tech info phone number right on their website. It seems like lock rights main problem is the springs get weak over time and need to be replaced... Which appears to be able to be done with the locker still installed. Sounds like a pretty fair trade off for a properly working locker and a manufacturer that offer technical assistance if needed.

 

[Mnkyboy]

I would go Aussie before buying a lockright. A tech line isn't gonna help you when it spits out its pins in the middle of nowhere.

Its too bad your having issues with your Spartan, IMO its a stronger design then either the lockright or the aussie.
I have them front and rear on my MJ and in 2wd you would never know its there.

 

[DualSportDad]

I've been out running errands today and it seems to be getting better. To right I can barley even hear the ratchet noise and it seems like now I have to turn it pretty far to the left to get the loud pops and bangs. Still hasn't locked up again which it awesome.

 

[DualSportDad]

It did good all day today until my ride home... About 20+ miles. Lots of binding on left turns. Right is fine... Normal knocking noise on turns no matter how far... Left is uncositant with how far I have to turn to make it start binding bad. Still no full lock up again which is the only reason I'm still driving it but I don't think my axles will survive too many more left turns.


Edit: I just walked out to my jeep to get something and there's a puddle of fluid by the passenger front wheel. I must have nicked a seal putting the axle back in. Looks like the diff has to come back out anyways..... Now do I leave it be.... Order another spartan and hope for the best, or a Aussie or lock right?


How possible is it that the low fluid level is what caused the locker to start to act up again?

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Somethings not right.. Actual tire size, or maybe a bad U-joint.. Im not sure.. but this just does not sound right.

 

[DualSportDad]

I think the fluid level plus it breaking in a bit made the difference. It was working really good after I pulled the cover and inspected it. When I refilled it I did make sure it was pouring out pretty strong when I put the fill plug back in where as before it was barley coming out.

Its the slow time of the year at work so I can take it apart a few times if needed. I am a little upset that I won't be able to take my son anywhere for the rest of tjhe weekend.