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Aussie locker LOUD in 4WD

8K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  screwystewy 
#1 ·
I just installed an Aussie locker in my Dana 30 recently and just took it out wheeling for the first time today. On the street you barley hear the small clicks it does but while offroading in 4WD the clicks are loud every time I turn the wheel slightly. Every time I turn slightly I hear the loud clicks and they are always click when I turn. Maybe it not fully locked?

Can anyone help?
 
#4 ·
in 4wd it should be locked yes. Did you install it yourself? Did you do the spin test? I haven't got around to installing mine yet however i have been doing reading, i heard it does make a lot of noise in 4wd, a common thing i heard is to try thicker gear oil.
 
#6 ·
I went thru the same thing as you when I did my Aussie last year.I pulled it apart twice,measured & remeasured,replaced the washers & hardened pin.In 4wd on the trails & turning it sounds awful at times.Ive put prob 3000 miles on it & its worked flawlessly so far.No worries.
 
#12 ·
If you installed it correctly and it was within the proper ranges then you have nothing to worry about.
Straight from Aussie's website " You can feel a mild tightening in the steering wheel which is a result of both front wheels having incredible traction, and driving more equally. There will be a self centering effect on the steering wheel in sand and off-road driving."
So that ^ is what you're feeling when turning. The noise is because there's an incredible amount of torque coming from the engine to your locker in 4wd. The locker is attempting to "unlock" it's self so that your wheels can spin at different rates.
 
#14 ·
Maybe you should read up a little on the subject. Of course it's going to unlock when you're turning because it is meant to. It is just not as loud in 2wd because there's no torque going from the transfer case to the front axle then.
You can replace stuff if you'd like but you will just waste your time in doing so.
 
#17 ·
I just ordered new thrust washers and pinion shaft from Yukon and will reinstall it and make sure all measurements are correct and get back to you guys. Cause my Aussie clicks loudly every single time I turn the wheel slightly in 4WD on dirt
 
#18 ·
my buddy had a Spartan in his tj, alxays made more noise than my lockright in my yj, come to find out he had a cracked carrier
 
#19 ·
funny just got home from 1st test ride with locker and was like is all this noise normal , lol

so it is ! ok thx
 
#20 ·
When we put the Aussie in the front of my son's 97 last summer, it had the same symptoms and noises you have described. It was the first made in USA unit I have ever installed. All the others I have installed (at least 6 or 7) were made in Australia and although somewhat noisy when new, not near as bad as the unit I put in my son's. I have a friend in Florida who had to replace one in a D30 because he neglected some water in his front diff and it too was very noisy and was also a made in USA unit. I disassembled my son's, rechecked everything and reassembled, and did all the checks and tests per the instructions. It is much quieter now and have had no problems with it. Visually, I could not see any differences than with the Australian made units but apparently something has changed.
 
#21 ·
If anyone has an Aussie locker in the front D30 on a JK that doesn't sound like a roller coaster when you are turning, even in 2wd turning sharp, then yours isn't working correctly. They don't make a clicking sound, they make a banging, clunking, and it feels like you are driving over a cattle grate. But they are inexpensive, work very well and are easy to install. They just are kind of embarrassing when you are on the trail and people think your Jeep is breaking.
 
#23 ·
I installed a powertrax locker in my rear 44 and for the first 100 miles or so i was LOUD. I though at any minute it was going to explode the whole axle housing. After the first 100 miles its to the point now i don't even hear it other than the few times it will click or pop making a tight turn in reverse. Maybe give it time to work itself in and see what happens
 
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