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Track Loc Questions.....

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by SoCalNickG, Feb 22, 2021.

  1. Feb 22, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
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    My CJ is a 1971 Renegade 1 (9/1970 build). The rear end should be LSD with a Track Loc (differential has a tag about LSD fluid) but when I had the rear axle off the ground, this week end, the rear wheels spun in opposite directions.
    Is this what happens when the clutches fail in these?
    Can the Trck Loc LSD be rebuilt? Are clutches available? Does rebuilding a Trac-Loc require reshimming-restting the pinion /ring gears?
    This repair will go to a shop for the work if it requires that.
    I have read abunch about this LSD and most advise tends to be along the lines of 'replace with better'. I have read that there are problems with the pins being worn. The axle drives fine, I wouldn't have known there's a problem.
    Am I correct that if I replace the Trac-Loc with anything else the Ring/Pinion gears need to be reshimmed?
     
  2. Feb 22, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    yes, i believe the carrier is different
     
  3. Feb 22, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
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    Follow up question:
    What spline count would the offset flanged axle D-44 have? 30 spline?
     
  4. Feb 22, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    yes, i think it's 30, but i'm not an expert, have never owned/worked on either, just gathered info from various sources. someone else could probably tell you more accurately.
     
  5. Feb 22, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Yes that is what happens.
    Yes it can be rebuilt fairly easily.
    No, it doesn’t require a re-shim for a rebuild, but it does require some special tools or ingenuity to get them apart/back together. I made some little tools that allow you to use big C clamps to dis/reassemble. If you need to borrow them, you’re welcome to them.

    These LSDs tend to get a bad rap, but the older ones are pretty sturdy. I’d say rebuild it and run it until it explodes.

    Making/improvising Special Tools
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2021
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Feb 22, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    The flanged Dana 44s are 30 spline. If you rebuild your existing Trac Lok with new clutches you won't need to redo the ring/pinion setup.

    Rebuild kits are available. Here's one source. Dana 44 TracLoc Rebuild Kit There are probably others sources too, that just showed up in a quick Google search.

    A lot of folks here on the forum aren't fond of Trak-locs, but it's been working in your Jeep for 50 years now so it can't be all bad.

    If you change to a different limited slip, you will have to redo the gear setup. You shouldn't need to reset the pinion depth, but the case will need shimming left-to-right.
     
    FinoCJ and ITLKSEZ like this.
  7. Feb 22, 2021
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    I vote... rebuild it unless you don’t like having limited slip.
     
  8. Feb 22, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The clutches fail by wearing out. When they do, the unit becomes like or nearly like an open differential.

    They can be rebuilt. You take the case apart and replace the clutch pack. Randy's Ring and Pinion used to have an article about how to rebuild them. I expect you could find similar info online if you search.

    "Replace with better" because they are considered weak, and as you found, they wear out. The spider gears break, and sometimes the case breaks in two. Yes, any different unit will have to be set up again.
     
  9. Feb 22, 2021
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Just my $.02. My 71 had a Trac Loc when I bought it. If you plan to use it on any hard trails now is the time to replace it. I repaired mine twice. After the third time it failed I put a Detroit in it and never looked back. The Detroit was one of the top 3 upgrades I ever did. SM 465 was #1, Detroit #2, Dana 30 with ARB #3
     
  10. Feb 22, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

  11. Feb 22, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Hey Nick....2nd what roy says (and others). I had a 30 spline trac lok in mine, and it was in better shape than yours (both tires spun the same direction). There is nothing inherently wrong with the trac lok, but it's not a strong traction device even when new. I found mine to be barely better than an open differential in terms of traction. You know best what kind of traction you really need...I love my eaton selectable locker I replaced it with. Unlike the 19spline D44s, there are more options for the 30 spline if you choose to go that route. Having a locker is huge off-road - but only you know if you plan to push your jeep enough to really need it. There is value and happiness in both choices, whether upgrading the 4wd capability or keeping that cool mostly original renegade as is.
     
  12. Feb 22, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    I intensely dislike the trac lok. That being said:
    First step is to drop the cover and verify the unit to insure it is still a trac lok and hasn't been replaced already.
    If so, then you need to inspect the casing for wear at the pin and insure there are no pieces laying on the bottom of the diff housing. If there is anything laying around in there (pieces of keepers or clutches) or you have pin slop, you need to park the rig till you can decide to rebuild or replace it.
    Keepers, clutches and carrier side/axle gears are replaceable, however, pin wear will require replacing the carrier housing at which time it may be better to choose something different, even an open carrier.
     
    Madeline3b likes this.
  13. Feb 23, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i've had the worst time trying to find SOMETHING besides an aussie locker
     
  14. Feb 23, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
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    This week, I will pull the cover and inspect. I hope to repair and re-use the Trak Lok mainly because the Jeep is a survivor and I want to keep it the way I got it ( as much as practical). I don't remember for sure but I think the LSD made the wheels spin in the same direction when I bought the Jeep, I just can't remember.:banghead:
    The Jeep did fine in Colorado last year. Maybe the clutches went out then. If the Trak Lok is beyond repair I am thinking of a Power Loc or other LSD.
    This Jeep is used 90%+ on streets and dirt roads and the rest I consider moderate trails. I will not be trying the Rubicon, or the likes, but you might see me at the end of the trail with a beer or a glass of wine for you (substitute your drink of choice).:beer:
    I thought about saying the Jeep was for ice cream runs but when I read that phrase on an earlier thread it didn't sound right.:lol:
     
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  15. Feb 23, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Lift the rear and try spinning the rear in neutral vs. in gear. In neutral, even a worn-out trac lok should spin both tires the same direction. In gear it might spin opposite directions, but it will have either little-to-no resistance (worn), or a lot of resistance (good shape).

    Trac loks ramp up traction under resistance as pressure on the side gears increases. I know mine is pretty well worn out and still seems to hook up really well. Not by locker standards of course, but definitely better than an open diff.
     
  16. Feb 23, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    For the usual owner, the TracLock works well. It's mild-mannered, does not noticeably affect the handling of your Jeep, and gives you the traction you want on loose surfaces like sand and mud. They do not hold up to impact load, and wear out faster than other LSDs. I'd guess it will be fine for the use you describe.
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
  17. Feb 23, 2021
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Note that the original/old style case with the shaft that uses c-clips is no longer made or available.
    New style uses the screw that secures the shaft I believe.
    Check this first before replacing any parts.
     
  18. Feb 23, 2021
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    If would have seen the number of units that failed in warranty or even out of warranty.....
    You wouldn't like them either.
    The newer cases have been reinforced so I'm told; so maybe they are okay now.
     
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  19. Feb 23, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Badly worn trac lok's won't even attempt to spin the opposite tire in the same direction.
    They also don't "ramp up". They use a belleville washer behind the clutch disks. Powr Loks use cross shafts that ramp up the casings.
     
  20. Feb 24, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    True, but side-pressure on the side gears is a byproduct of torque to the spider gears, applying tightness to the clutch packs. Applying some brake pressure will increase traction to a certain extent.
     
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