My Spartan locker is toast.

13bullets

13bullets

Chris
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Location
Lincolnton
Installed 6/30/10 in the rear axle (D44HD) of my WJ by 4wp in Charlotte. It failed on me at Richland Rd two weeks ago, and I thrashed it pretty good at URE last weekend. I spent all morning "rebuilding" it, which consisted of new springs and alignment pins. After looking at the gears I didn't expect much good to come from it.

So after almost exactly two years it's history. They have a one year warranty. I think this time around I'm going to try an Aussie. It's only about a $50 difference in price. Two years ago the purchase price for the Spartan was $258 shipped. Now it's $352 plus shipping. At least the extra $50 for the Aussie will include another year on the warranty.
 
Pics? I just put a spartan in my frt and was really impressed how much beefier they are than a lock-right. I haven't really got to use it yet though
 
I didn't take any pics. The gears were worn and pitted badly, mainly on the drivers side. I could spin the drivers tire freely and the drivers side of the locker would not lock. The passenger tire would spin the locker if I turned it, but not the drivers. There was a lot of metal flakes sparkling in the old oil from the gears wearing against each other.
 
They aren't available for my axle, Aussie or Spartan are my only options. The Spartan was bought and installed by the previous owner, as was the truss, lift, sway bar disco's, track bar, etc, etc. About all I've done is put gas in it, make a skid plate that I have $40 in and put the bumper and winch on the front. If I had the coin laying around right now I'd love to put a ford 9 in it, something worth building, but I digress. Spending $400 to buy 2 years (Aussie's warranty) to plan and save for an axle swap, while being able to dd and wheel my WJ isn't terrible.
 
I have run an Aussie in my 44 and my 8.8, and never had trouble with them. Go with Aussie this time.
 
Chris - Sorry to hear about the locker. I hope you get it fixed up. I never had any issues with it while I had it. It was always just noisy as hell but I hear all the lunch box style are like that.
 
JakeMate said:
Chris - Sorry to hear about the locker. I hope you get it fixed up. I never had any issues with it while I had it. It was always just noisy as hell but I hear all the lunch box style are like that.
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No worries Jake. It's progressively been making more noise the more I drove it for a couple months now. I knew by design it wouldn't hold out but so long before it stripped the teeth anyhow, especially being in the rear and being in use so much.
 
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Well, I bought a new coupler, driver, and spring kit for the spartan. About $140 in parts, and rebuilt the locker today. I've driven about 30 or 40 on road miles and it seems to do what it's supposed to again. I'll find out for sure tomorrow at The Flats. I also picked up a 9" rear and 44hp front for an eventual axle swap. Questions coming!
 
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