bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Topic: bad Trac-Lok symptoms? (Read 1874 times) previous topic - next topic

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

April 05, 2010, 12:54:48 PM

This is the TC rear I picked up recently.
With the rear jacked up, both tires off of the ground, and the T5 in first, I can turn a tire one direction by hand, the other rear tire turns the opposite way, like an open diff.

Last night I did leave 2 black marks where I romped on it a little, but concerned that the trak lok is on it's way out?

FWIW, with the t5 in neutral, they'll both spin the same direction, by hand.

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #1 – April 05, 2010, 10:04:14 PM

sounds normal beau, and it makes sence. they will turn opposite when the pinion is locked and when unlocked they spin the same....

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #2 – April 05, 2010, 10:20:03 PM

I have a 7.5 at my dads with traction lock, and you can't spin it at all opposite directions.

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #3 – April 19, 2010, 12:29:28 PM

Look at the tag. It will read the gear set as something like this:

3 55 means 3.55 open carrier

3L55 means 3.55 with traction-lok

The L means traction-lok and a space represents an open carrier. From what I have read the first number of the gear set will most likely be under the rear cover bolt. This is if you still have the factory tag on the rear end.

If you do not have the tag on the rear end then I would suggest you check a couple of things. One good indicator is axle endplay. If you have more than about 1/8 inch of axle endplay on either side, the clutches are getting worn, and the locking effect is going away. However, the true test is "breakaway torque". Ideally you want to set up a fixture so that you can apply torque through one axle's centerline while the other wheel is on the ground, and apply torque until the free axle moves. In reality you can approximate it by using a torque wrench on a lugnut, ideally a nut that's across the axle centerline from the handle of the torque wrench. The factory service minimum breakaway torque is something like 25 lbs but in reality you want it more up in the 50-75 lb range.

Rebuilding one is pretty straight forward and should only take a nice afternoon if you have never done one and have some mechanical skills.

Darren

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #4 – April 19, 2010, 01:56:01 PM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;313216

tag:

It does leave 2 righteous black marks when I step on the gas...I have another t/l..so not sweating it. :D

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #5 – April 19, 2010, 02:13:38 PM

Very cool. The rear end I got for my car had 3.73s in it so the factory tag was long gone. The 7.5 had the tag on it and it was an open differential.

Darren

bad Trac-Lok symptoms?

Reply #6 – April 20, 2010, 12:56:53 AM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;317109

With the rear jacked up, both tires off of the ground, and the T5 in first, I can turn a tire one direction by hand, the other rear tire turns the opposite way, like an open diff.

There should be resistance but they will spin opposite directions when doing what you did. I usually jack one tire off the ground and with the car in neutral try to turn the tire, should be tight.

Scott