Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Preparing to setup the diffs from my old zook into the new one. Here's the problem.

There is play in the rear diff centre. I can rotate the driveshaft flange almost an eighth of a turn by hand. To eliminate other things, unis, mounts etc are not an issue, they've been removed from the car, problem is in the diff.

The pinion doesn't move up or down, in or out, float around etc, just rotates before taking up the load. The centre has a lockright in it. Was professionally installed approx 12 months ago, drove well until recently. Lockright seems to engage and disengage as normal when driving. No unusual noises, nothing in the oil. I haven't yet pulled the third out for a look.

Is this a backlash issue? Would the backlash have changed since it's original setup or am I more likely to have damaged something else? If it's the crush sleeve on the pinion what are my options on having it replaced with something stronger? I want to run this centre up front with doubletoughs. (If I haven't trashed the R&P. Going to run minispool rear.)

Any help appreciated,

Cheers,

Mal

Lock-right (most auto-lockers) have more "backlash" than normal diffs. Technically backlash is clearance between the CW&P, which is probably fine on your diff. The extra play your are noticing is the movement of the locker plates.

Or possibly your diff has rooted.

Layto....

Hey zookimal I wouldn't stress too much, When I set up my lockrite with Cam I too had about an 1/8th of a turn in my rear diff before it took up. When it was driving it was fine. We followed everything by the book and setup everything to the correct specs...

Thanks guys. Will have a look when I strip it down. Can it be shimmed up etc, or is it just the slack in the locker plate engaging the factory side gear? Might try and replace them with the lockright couplers if it means better engagement.

It's enough play that it's annoying on road as at slow speed it allows the car to roll faster before catching up to the drivetrain, if that makes sense.

Part of the reason for going rear minispool and moving this rear centre into the front diff.

zookimal wrote:Thanks guys. Will have a look when I strip it down. Can it be shimmed up etc, or is it just the slack in the locker plate engaging the factory side gear? Might try and replace them with the lockright couplers if it means better engagement.

It's enough play that it's annoying on road as at slow speed it allows the car to roll faster before catching up to the drivetrain, if that makes sense.

Part of the reason for going rear minispool and moving this rear centre into the front diff.

That lurch you mention is just a downside of a auto locker, you get used to adjusting your driving to avoid it.

As long as your acutal CW&P backlash is set properly, the side gears are shimmed correctly and there is no abnormal wear on the components, its just the way it is. My rear diff is the same. When i fitted my locker i did all the shimming etc, it has been that way for years now and still goes strong. The diff does need new bearings, but the amount of play has not changed at all despite getting a fair flogging on and off road.

Layto....

zookimal wrote:Thanks guys. Will have a look when I strip it down. Can it be shimmed up etc, or is it just the slack in the locker plate engaging the factory side gear? Might try and replace them with the lockright couplers if it means better engagement.

It's enough play that it's annoying on road as at slow speed it allows the car to roll faster before catching up to the drivetrain, if that makes sense.

Part of the reason for going rear minispool and moving this rear centre into the front diff.

The model that use the factory side gears are different to the model that use the lockright side couplers. Not interchangeable.

love_mud wrote:The model that use the factory side gears are different to the model that use the lockright side couplers. Not interchangeable.

Thought that may have been the case from what I'd seen. Scratch that plan then.

i think i got more axle free play with the couplings as opposed the the factory side gears