I have a 9" rear with a Detroit-Locker in my Z28. I always get perfect launches with it(No one wheel burnouts). There is one thing that I don't like. When I'm driving along at a steady speed and let off the gas and then get back on it. I can feel the right-rear wheel engage late. It feels like I'm fish-tailing. Is this normal for a Locker? I didn't have this problem with the traction-lok(Posi). What's wrong???????

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WHITE 84Z28-UPDATED{LOOKS LIKE 92Z28}.040 350W/MODS{B&M 162 UNDERHOOD BLOWER}TH350 TRANS.TCI 10",3:89 9" REAR,BLACKJACK SHORTIES HEADERS,SINGLE 3" EXHAUST W/ SINGLE OUT FLOWMASTER,BOXED R. CONTROL ARMS,RR AIR BAG,PRO-STAR RIMS,E.T.STREETS. BEST ET SO FAR{STILL HAVE SOME FINE TUNING TO DO} 11.51/118 1.61 60FT.

 

It's because lockers are functionally diffrent that posi/limited slip units. Limited slip units are nitorous for dieing when the internal clutches wear out. A locker mechanically (A clutch is techinically mechanical, but for the sake of this discussion it shall remain as not). "locks" the axle shafts together and is engaged by centrifugal weights (As a function of RPM). I've been contemplating for awhile now making a seloniod activated locker. That way you can turn it on and off when you want to, perfect for daily driving, then perfect for street racing. However like most of my ideas lack of funding and time hold me back.

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1984 WS6 Trans Am Hartop
Former L69 Car under restoration
1984 Trans Am T-tops
4-bolt main 350, performer intake, headers, Holley 650, T-5, hayes clutch, dual elec. fans and 3.23's.
Daily driver and restoration
13.98 @ 101

 

So what I'm experiencing is normal? I knew I wasn't crazy!!!! By the way, your idea is already on the market. It's called a "Air-Locker." It uses a small air compressor to pump air to the special locker to keep it engaged. When it's shut off, it acts like a open rear(one wheel). Going back to my topic, is one axle locking up before the other or is it torque-steer that I'm feeling?


HELP!!!!!!!!

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WHITE 84Z28-UPDATED{LOOKS LIKE 92Z28}.040 350W/MODS{B&M 162 UNDERHOOD BLOWER}TH350 TRANS.TCI 10",3:89 9" REAR,BLACKJACK SHORTIES HEADERS,SINGLE 3" EXHAUST W/ SINGLE OUT FLOWMASTER,BOXED R. CONTROL ARMS,RR AIR BAG,PRO-STAR RIMS,E.T.STREETS. BEST ET SO FAR{STILL HAVE SOME FINE TUNING TO DO} 11.51/118 1.61 60FT.

 

Probably one axle turning faster than the other (normal diff. operation) then as you speed up around the corner it locks on you.

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1984 WS6 Trans Am Hartop
Former L69 Car under restoration
1984 Trans Am T-tops
4-bolt main 350, performer intake, headers, Holley 650, T-5, hayes clutch, dual elec. fans and 3.23's.
Daily driver and restoration
13.98 @ 101

 

One axle is not spining faster than the other, they are locked together, that's why it's called a Locker. As far as locking up in a turn, Not!! A Detroit-Locker disengages in a turn. The outside wheel(axle) turns faster. I appreciate your reply to my topic, but if you don't know the answer sometimes it good not to say anything. The wrong answer to someone who doesn't have much knowledge on cars could be terrible.

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WHITE 84Z28-UPDATED{LOOKS LIKE 92Z28}.040 350W/MODS{B&M 162 UNDERHOOD BLOWER}TH350 TRANS.TCI 10",3:89 9" REAR,BLACKJACK SHORTIES HEADERS,SINGLE 3" EXHAUST W/ SINGLE OUT FLOWMASTER,BOXED R. CONTROL ARMS,RR AIR BAG,STEVE SPOHN ADJ.TORQUE-ARM,PRO-STAR RIMS,E.T.STREETS. BEST ET SO FAR{STILL HAVE SOME FINE TUNING TO DO} 11.51/118 1.61 60FT.

 

How bad is the fish tailing feeling? I know with an open diff on my car now the car feels like it's going to fish tail when I get on it hard. My trans shifts hard enough to loose traction with one wheel and the car feels like it's just about to fish tail. Do you hear the locker unlock/lock when you are driving and is this only when you are speeding up in a turn or when you're going straight? I don't see how a locker can possibley be turning one wheel faster than the other, when it locks it has to lock the axles together. It's either on or off, not one wheel locked to ____?? an imaginary axle then the other axle locks to ____?? the other axle? Sorry I'm no help but I'm looking into a 12 bolt rear and I'm still looking at diff options.

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, Jon (91 RS too many mods to list)
Dale Earnhart, you have done so much, you will be missed.

 

In a straight line your rear will act similar to a spooled rear. when you torque one way (accelerate) the rear end wants to twist and walk forward on one side. The driver rear will plant and the passengerside rear will want to lift.. this causes the pass-side rear suspension to collapse (the body gets nearer the axle). This action makes the rear "walk". One side will try to get ahead of the other.
When you deccelerate, the opposite happens.
You can eliminate most of this by taking play out of your rear suspension. bushings is a good simple way to start doing this. Air bags in the springs will also prevent collapse of the suspension.
This should also help you launch straighter & have more control when you do break traction.

hope this helps you.
ODB


[This message has been edited by The ODB (edited February 25, 2001).]

 

Take a tape measure and measure the circumfrence if both rear tires. You may find that one is a bit bigger than the other one. This is known as "stagger". If this is the case and you have a locker or a good working posi, the car will coast straight, but pull towards the smaller tire under power. My '68 Camaro did that and I found one rear tire was about an inch bigger around than the other one. I measured them all and put the two that were closest in size on the back. Of course, this was bias ply tires. Radial tires are much closer in size, but you never know.

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1985 Yellow IROC-Z 5.0 HO, T-5 3.73 Posi, 4 wheel disks
PFCM pads, GTA wheels, Koni yellows, B&M Ripper, Dynomax

 

Anthony, that is how they work and what you are experincing is normal. When you are on the gas it is 100% locked, when you let off it unlocks and then when you get back on the gas it has to ratchet to the next spot before it locks up again. This causes the car to shift or wiggle a bit.

If you want to test this jack up the car and put the trans in neutral. Turn the driveshaft by hand and both rear tires will turn. Now turn one tire ccw and then cw to unlock the Detroit Locker and the tire you are turning should turn independently of the other wheel and you should be able to hear the DL ratcheting.

Also, if you go into a corner on the gas the DL will not unlock and will try to torque stear the car. It only unlocks if you let off the power.

 

Thanks guys!!!!!

Anthony

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WHITE 84Z28-UPDATED{LOOKS LIKE 92Z28}.040 350W/MODS{B&M 162 UNDERHOOD BLOWER}TH350 TRANS.TCI 10",3:89 9" REAR,BLACKJACK SHORTIES HEADERS,SINGLE 3" EXHAUST W/ SINGLE OUT FLOWMASTER,BOXED R. CONTROL ARMS,RR AIR BAG,STEVE SPOHN ADJ.TORQUE-ARM,PRO-STAR RIMS,E.T.STREETS. BEST ET SO FAR{STILL HAVE SOME FINE TUNING TO DO} 11.51/118 1.61 60FT.