Broken Detroit Locker

[greenjeep]

During Jeep Safari, I snapped the drivers side shaft of my full float Dana 44 in my Commando. After moving and starting a new job, I finally got the money to fix it. The shop said I needed a new shaft and that my spindle was bent. So they replaced both parts. Just to be safe I asked them to check the axle housing for straightness and to check the Detroit, they said both were fine.

Long story short. . . I get my Commando back, and the drivers side shaft isn't spinning!! So I take it into the 4x4 Outpost and they say my old spindle is absolutly fine, but my Detroit is broken! I guess it is fairly common that when you break a shaft, it takes out your Detroit. Apparently I'm not alone,

http://www.flatfenderltd.com/detroit_locker_myths.htm


So, I need a clutch assembly and spider assembly; as listed here

http://www.tractech.com/docs/DetroitLocker04.pdf

Used is fine, cheap is best. Also, I am a tail gunner for next weeks Labor Day Campout, so fast is also a plus!

Any help or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!!!!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Where is all the ARB haters now...

I have heard of several Detroits breaking in this manner... Shawn & 1/4 Eliptic could tell you...

 

[Hickey]

That sucks man, right before a wheelin run.
















Detroit's rule!

 

[RockMonkey]

Where is all the ARB haters now...

I have heard of several Detroits breaking in this manner... Shawn & 1/4 Eliptic could tell you...

Right here. Checking in, sir. Yep, Detroits can break too. They are still 100,000% more reliable than ARBs are.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Right here. Checking in, sir. Yep, Detroits can break too. They are still 100,000% more reliable than ARBs are.

I'm going to have to dispute that statistic... there are FAR more ARB's in service around the world (yes Detroits are a US thing)... I for one, have only seen one broken ARB (and heard of one or two)... so, based on the number in service, and the number of bad units... I hardly see how you can relate any statistics to the longevity of the units...

 

[RockMonkey]

I'm going to have to dispute that statistic... there are FAR more ARB's in service around the world (yes Detroits are a US thing)... I for one, have only seen one broken ARB (and heard of one or two)... so, based on the number in service, and the number of bad units... I hardly see how you can relate any statistics to the longevity of the units...

I've personally broken two, and purchased another in a used axle that ARB refused to fix even if I paid them to do it (yep, still sitting in the garage, useless). I've also seen tons that didn't work for any number of different reasons. Ah, it's a debate that can/will go on forever. You can have the last word now.

 

[mbryson]

I've personally broken two, and purchased another in a used axle that ARB refused to fix even if I paid them to do it (yep, still sitting in the garage, useless). I've also seen tons that didn't work for any number of different reasons. Ah, it's a debate that can/will go on forever. You can have the last word now.

Is that a D60 ARB?

 

[RockMonkey]

Is that a D60 ARB?

Yes sir. 30 spline. ARB says "it will not hold case pressure" WTH that means. I think it was an excuse to get out of doing any work on it. They'd rather sell a new locker than fix an old one. Funny thing is, it was working when it was sent to them, basically just sent to them to check it out, and slap some 35 spline side gears in it (which they told me they would do before I sent it). I think it still works, so I've kept it around.

 

[mbryson]

Yes sir. 30 spline. ARB says "it will not hold case pressure" WTH that means. I think it was an excuse to get out of doing any work on it. They'd rather sell a new locker than fix an old one. Funny thing is, it was working when it was sent to them, basically just sent to them to check it out, and slap some 35 spline side gears in it (which they told me they would do before I sent it). I think it still works, so I've kept it around.

Hmmmmm........That's what I thought you had. Ummmm....Kurt, any ideas? How much for the 35 spline side gears?

 

[sukaB]

Where is all the ARB haters now...

I have heard of several Detroits breaking in this manner... Shawn & 1/4 Eliptic could tell you...

Come awn a person of your intelegence honestly thinks that way or is it cause that's what you sell ...?

Only thing ARB has going for it is the sound.......PPPSSSSTTT.
People love the noise and think it's cool...

Come awn any axle snapping can take out a locker, Do you have any idea how much shockload could be slapped upon a locker in any given time...
My 35 splined shaft snapped-HARD- and the detroit was fine. I did drive on it so the side of top hat got wobbled out from broken shaft grinding on it....
NEW TOP hat, old detroit...She's ready to go....

I Agree with rock monkey, I've heard of so many ARB's failing over the years, not to include how many people I've pulled out due to broken arb's,broken air lines,broken PPPSSSTTT air compressors,or shady relay crap issue's.....
Robbie was the last one I had to fix on silver slipper trail.

 

[greenjeep]

Thanks for the ARB/Detroit debate, but anyone have any suggestions on where to get a cheap clutch assembly and spider assembly?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hmmmmm........That's what I thought you had. Ummmm....Kurt, any ideas? How much for the 35 spline side gears?

About $175 for both the gears... I'm not 100% sure that you can just change the sidegears... but I assume that it could be done... The case part numbers are different according to ARB... but will they work???

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Come awn a person of your intelegence honestly thinks that way or is it cause that's what you sell ....

I stand behind them 100%... I have sold hundreds with ZERO returns... thats right ZERO... sure air lines can leak... if they are installed by a moron... mine have always worked flawless...

Apples and Oranges... one turns on and off... one doesn't... You drive Blackey on 200+ mile trips (pavement, dirt, rocks, etc) pulling a trailer at 80+ mph and tell me you want a full time locker out back.... nada...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks for the ARB/Detroit debate, but anyone have any suggestions on where to get a cheap clutch assembly and spider assembly?

I would call the following first thing tomorrow morning...

Six States (local)
West Coast Diff & Randy's Ring and Pinon

But I am afraid all will tell you special order... So, get on the phone with Trachtech ASAP and get them 2nd day air to you...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...or is it cause that's what you sell ...

BTW, I am a Detroit dealer too, sold many of them (including to REM'ers)... I have never said bad things about the Detroit, I actually make more $$$ selling a Detroit than I do an ARB. I am just stating the obvious about ARB's...

 

[greenjeep]

I would call the following first thing tomorrow morning...

Six States (local)
West Coast Diff & Randy's Ring and Pinon

But I am afraid all will tell you special order... So, get on the phone with Trachtech ASAP and get them 2nd day air to you...

Thanks, will do, but any chance of finding these used? Moab Outpost is guessing new will be between $150-$200

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks, will do, but any chance of finding these used? Moab Outpost is guessing new will be between $150-$200

You might... I know DJ's Traction Systems (RIP) used to have some misc. Detroit parts.. but I didn't get those with his other parts... I think that they went to Advanced 4WD in SLC, so try them for sure. Also JR from MsConception (also RIP) might have some parts kicking around... mabey Mepco, mabey Midstate? I would get on the horn with all of them first thing in the morning ASAP...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Just checked my West Coast Diff. & Randy's catalogs.. they don't even list any individual Detroits parts... so it is unlikely they will stock them.

Good luck...

 

[bobdog]

I'm going to have to dispute that statistic... there are FAR more ARB's in service around the world (yes Detroits are a US thing)...

You are not taking into concideration the number of NoSpins that have been installed in Heavy trucks and equipment for decades and decades. There is no way there are more ARBs out there and do they even make them for the very heavy aplications that Tractech does? Detroits live in some applications that make rockcrawlers lock like matchbox cars.

 

[Hickey]

You are not taking into concideration the number of NoSpins that have been installed in Heavy trucks and equipment for decades and decades. .

I have an ARB in my Work truck. There are 12 other trucks at work that have them too...