Clod locker slip?

[crawler guy]

I was running my clod axle Hustler the other day and when I came to an area where one tire was wedged between rocks pretty good and I tried to power out of it, the free whell turned and the other one did not. I was surprised at this because with a locker installed I didn't think an axle would slip.

As an experiment I then tried holding one wheel while applying power and I could get the axles to slip - granted, it took quite a bit of power. I could do this with both axles. I haven't taken the axle apart yet but I'm guessing that the brass "bevel joint" that goes into either side of the differential spur gear slipped. I think it is important to note that I have the ThunderTech plastic diff locker kit installed. I tried the same test on another crawler with an aluminum locker and the axle would not slip.

Has anyone else experienced this? I assume I should change to an aluminum locker. What is the best one to get - RC4WD's (expensive), RCPCrawlers', Integy's or someone elses? Or, are all the aluminum types created the same?

Thanks,
Dave

[Nova's Ark]

Shimming the brass drive end into the locker is crucial. I know the instructions don't tell you to do this, but you need to. I have partially stripped the TTR lockers because the brass drive ends were not shimmed into them. I have also experienced an aluminum locker come unlocked because the plastic case flexed just enough on a 2.2 clod to allow the brass drive end to come out.

You need to put shims / washer over the axle end between the e clip and brass drive end. Then when you bolt the case together, check to make sure everything turns smoothly and bolts together smoothly. If you have too many shims, it won't turn freely and won't bolt together. Not enough shims and the brass end will slip out. Every shim and washer is different thickness so just be patient when fitting them because it's trial and error. I have not had a locker fail since I started shimming them like this.

[crawler guy]

Thanks Nova - I'll try shimming it. I hope I haven't damaged the locker to the point I have to replace it

[CPE MT]

Stripped hexes is a common problem with those particular lockers due to their delrin design. Shimming the axles may help this situation, but you may have damaged the hex enough that they will continue to do so under high loads.

Your best bet is using some kind of aluminum locker once you decide to replace the delrin versions. You may be able to prolong those by installing the brass drive end into the locker, then using JB Weld to secure everything in place though. You'd just have to pay close attention to your gear mesh when finished to make sure everything rotates freely.

[CD13]

Same problem with the plastic ones too.They spead open enought to let the hex turn.you can but some tape over the hex and push in into the locker but thats a temp fix.The cure is alum. lockers.