Woohoo! The locker is finally in. Rick did the install, I took a few pixs, and hopefully it will drive down the road right. We're working on a write up - but here's a few pixs for now!

http://myjeeprocks.com/images/feature/ez_locker/01_drainoil.jpg

http://myjeeprocks.com/images/feature/ez_locker/06_spidergears.jpg

http://myjeeprocks.com/images/feature/ez_locker/14_done.jpg

Very cool!!! you gonna try that baby out at Pontiac?

maybe, ... no one can seem to tell me how difficult the trail is. do you know?

nope. sorry.:( but listen... with the right line and a good spotter your Jeep can go everywhere ours do!!!!:yay:

there are by-passes, If I remember correctly. I dont think you'll have a problem . . . nothing a strap wont fix :P :D

I have heard that pontiac is not much worse than John Bull used to be (before CalTrans came through :rolleyes: ). Of course, that is second hand info, so take it for what it is worth.

good info guys, but this thing
IS SERIOUSLY MESSED UP!

the popping is mostly under light to medium acceleration, and afterwards it pops so much i thought it had fallen off.

does anyone know anything about the ez lockers? i know they're supposed to be noisy, but rick also thinks that it's quite a bit excessive!

take a look at what these people have said, and see if this is what you are experiencing.
http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/4x4/Lockrite_notes.htm

sarah, my ez locker was giving me grief a while back (just ask jim! :D ) and a few things i discovered are: make sure the small pins/springs are installed correctly, make sure the thrust washers on the side gears (where the axle shafts engage the locker) are there! these are easy to toss in the trash with the old parts! also make sure the big cross-pin doesn't have any damage where the locker contacts it. my cross pin got dented in this area and wouldn't apply enough pressure to the locker for it to lock, so the center part of the locker wouldn't engage the sides and would just spin... sounded like a rock drill (or insert your own horrible sound) and then would suddenly engage with a terrible bang. i had to warranty/replace the locker since it got so trashed and i also got one of the heavy-duty cross pins from trac-tech.

here's a pic of what the cross pin shouldn't look ike:

http://trailbossoffroad.com/locker13.jpg

the cross pin should be smooth... no dents. :eek:

it's dis-engaging every 30 seconds and just spinning. we almost didn't make it home last nite!

click on FEATURE at the very top of this page in the navigation, and locker problems, for rick's write up.

we're going to tear it apart tonite.

we haven't taken it apart yet, but we've come to the conclusion that it's probably just plain broken.

chuck, it sounds exactly like that. the shims are there, the dowl pins and springs are in right, and the cross pin looked ok.

unfortunately, jeepin'joe didn't have a warranty available, but since he sold us a busted locker, it's no wonder!

pixs to come soon ...

Ok, so here's what the locker looks like now... what do you say Chuck? Is this what a wasted locker looks like? I think so...

http://myjeeprocks.com/images/feature/ez_locker/IMG_4699.jpg

So, is this side gear done for, or what?
http://myjeeprocks.com/images/feature/ez_locker/IMG_4703.jpg

I'm thinking that maybe this thing is done for, but what if I shim the side gears tighter so that only one side can spin at a time? I guess that is probably a half ass way to set it up, but has anyone done this? The cross pin actually doesn't look bad, so I'm thinking this problem started when this baby lived in Joe's carrier. I think at this point I'm inclined to put the spider gears back in it and forget it, but maybe you guys have some insight that might change my mind. Is this really bad for a locker that's been in for a while, or are they supposed to get rounded a bit when they wear in? Like I say, it looks wasted to me, but I haven't seen a used one.

:shades: and :duh:

hmmm, thats a bummer. I have never seen a worn out locker, so I cant help you there, BUT have you talked to trac-tech yet? They might be able to tell you, by your description, if it is worn out or whats going on. Good luck, keep us posted.

I ran an EZ locker in the front for over a year and when I pulled it out to have the Detroit put in, you could not tell that there was any wear. The edges were solid with no rounding. I'd say you have a problem. Like Chris said, call Trach Tech and see what they say.

thanks for the info. rick talked to tri county gear to get a new cross pin. the spider gears are back in and we're basically considering it scrap metal now. :(

any ideas on what to do with a broken locker? art sculpture?

Originally posted by sarah
thanks for the info. rick talked to tri county gear to get a new cross pin. the spider gears are back in and we're basically considering it scrap metal now. :(

any ideas on what to do with a broken locker? art sculpture?

weld it together, make it a mini spool :P :D :rolleyes:

Rick, I never sent you those directions I had but now reading this stuff I remember something. They recommended a hardened cross shaft. Hey, better late than never. Maybe someone else will read this before they lose their locker.

My buddy and I put a EZ Locker in our 35c last year. I get the loud engagement sometimes going through a tight turn under throttle. I just rebuilt my rear diff last week as the pinion bearings let go:( . I noticed some wear on the shaft similar to the photo, but no indentations. This might be due to the substantially lower torque of the 4banger, but I can't be sure. Note it took these idiots (my buddy& I) 5 hours to do the install. That includes stopping disassembling and starting over twice, as well as several runs to the hardware store (who has a 9/32" 12 point socket?). Next time we'll read the instructions first. Anyway once it was in right it stayed trouble free for over a year!

Happy Jeeping,

Tom & Sandra

New 35-c EZ locker update. I finally finished reassembling the diff after replacing the pinion bearings. I noticed my cross shaft had become worn as Sarah had mentioned, but since the locker teeth were still fine I thought nothing of it. Low and behold, on testing my handywork by driving up the driveway, I encountered the same symptoms. :( Unfortunately, most of the major mail-order houses sell the oem shaft with spider gears for around $80. While looking around I found Drivetrain Specialists of Las Vegas http://www.drivetrain.com and they sell a hardened shaft for the 35-c for $25:D Good thing to, as we'll definitely need it for PVD.

Originally posted by king4wd
My buddy and I put a EZ Locker in our 35c last year. I get the loud engagement sometimes going through a tight turn under throttle. I just rebuilt my rear diff last week as the pinion bearings let go:( . I noticed some wear on the shaft similar to the photo, but no indentations. This might be due to the substantially lower torque of the 4banger, but I can't be sure. Note it took these idiots (my buddy& I) 5 hours to do the install. That includes stopping disassembling and starting over twice, as well as several runs to the hardware store (who has a 9/32" 12 point socket?). Next time we'll read the instructions first. Anyway once it was in right it stayed trouble free for over a year!

Happy Jeeping,

Tom & Sandra

And all of this on the morning we were leaving for the Hi-Desert Round-Up... :D

Originally posted by PRegner
And all of this on the morning we were leaving for the Hi-Desert Round-Up... :D


D'OH! we were all at high desert roundup ... we had a 6' banner up for a bit until the wind about blew it over, then we tied it to the jeeps. gotta love the desert wind ... :P

This was the 2002 Round-Up...

Originally posted by king4wd
[ While looking around I found Drivetrain Specialists of Las Vegas http://www.drivetrain.com and they sell a hardened shaft for the 35-c for $25:D Good thing to, as we'll definitely need it for PVD. [/B]

Order it yesterday, and it was only $18 + $5 shipping!! It is actually the Powertrax "zytanium" unit used in the "no-slip" and some lock-rite lockers. No, I don't know what "Zytanium" is so don't even bother:D

Originally posted by king4wd
No, I don't know what "Zytanium" is so don't even bother:D

Zytanium is one of those made-up words. I couldn't even find a reference to it anywhere in any of the on-line encyclopedias (it sounds like something Dilbert would invent). Whatever the alloy actually is, it's some pretty tough stuff though (my guess would be one of the post cold war steel alloys)...

Figures, One of these days they'll run out of cool names and we'll have dorkium, nonsensiun and dyptherium parts:D

Originally posted by king4wd
Figures, One of these days they'll run out of cool names and we'll have dorkium, nonsensiun and dyptherium parts:D

Let's not forget Nerdium (quite similar to Dorkium, I'm told)...:D

Yippeee!!:D :P :D :P :D My hardened shaft arrived today! Marvin will once again be fully mobile by the end of the week!:D :D :D
www.driveline.com in Las Vegas rocks! total came to $25.50 after shipping & everything:D

It runs! It runs! :D The new cross pin is in and now the jeep drives , well not quite like new, but better than it did 6 months ago! No more funky grinding chattering noises from the back end. We are now officially locked and loaded for PVD :8

Originally posted by king4wd
Yippeee!!:D :P :D :P :D My hardened shaft arrived today!

Tom,

I'm delighted that your Jeep is back together and running well, but the visual of you yelling "Yippeee!!" over the arrival of a hardened shaft is enough to make me want to boil my eye-balls (you aren't having a problem with your prostate, are you?)... :D

Originally posted by PRegner
[(you aren't having a problem with your prostate, are you?)... :D [/B]

What can I say? That "Zytanium" is like viagra for drivetrains:D Just be thankful I didn't unleash a heartfealt yeah-ha :P

Originally posted by king4wd
:D Just be thankful I didn't unleash a heartfealt yeah-ha :P

EGAD!!! Anything but that!!! :D :D :D

Originally posted by NAILER341
take a look at what these people have said, and see if this is what you are experiencing.
http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/4x4/Lockrite_notes.htm

Thanks. I have been trying to get a really good explaination for a while. :)

I know what I want now.

Originally posted by qwiksilver
Thanks. I have been trying to get a really good explaination for a while. :)

I know what I want now.
you are welcome. ;) :wave:

We did a trial trail run today, our first since installing the new hardened cross shaft. It worked great! the locker seemed quieter than before- I think the worn notches in the old shaft were contributing to louder noises and more abrupt engagement. Anyway- if you're going to install a drop in locker ( lock-rite, quick-lock, E-Z, etc.) get a hardened shaft, if one doesn't come with the locker- its a world of difference!