[Dyn0mitemat]

I think it's the fluid. Like my previous posts in this thread state, I had 70-90 cheapo oil in and it was binding and Clunking, I changed the fluid last night for some Lucas 85-150 and its invisible

[scoobywerx]

So heres the skinny on what I've found in regards to my failure. The spartan has some holes drilled into it for some wire that holds the pins in during install. For anyone not familiar with lunchbox lockers do a quick search on how they work. On the side that shattered I couldn't tell where the failure originated from. On the opposite side however there was a large crack starting on one of those wire holes and ask the way across the hole for the pin.. Almost had both sides fail. The aussies and others don't have those holes. I think I've found the weak spot of the spartan. Am I the only one who has had a major spartan locker failure?

[scoobywerx]

And yes, I have found that the lucas 85 140 seems much more friendly than the typical gear oils. Not sure about other brands because the lucas is the only one readily available to me. Spartans seem to like the heavier oils better.

[mirra9112]

Originally Posted by mirra9112

I have an update and question. After a couple days of bad binding and unloading about a month ago, I pulled the differential cover and found the locker looked fine. The fluid that drained was a bit milky. I filled it with fresh 85-140 fluid. The binding basically stopped. I also replaced a bad axle shaft u-joint and hub assembly and over the past 2-3 weeks the binding stopped completely.

I had a leaking pinion seal so I had it replaced. The shop found bad pinion bearings also. The pinion bearings and the pinion seal were replaced and when I left the shop the axle binded and unloaded twice that same day (yesterday). I found out the shop put in 80-90 fluid instead of the 85-140 fluid I usually use.

Do you think fluid alone would cause this? The only other thing that I could think of is that it only binds (for whatever reason) when the pinion bearings are good. Maybe the binding messes up the pinion bearings and when they are bad the binding stops. These are the only two things I can think of causing the problem.

Another update. Yesterday after work, I came home and swapped out the 80W-90 fluid that the shop filled my axle with and put in Lucas 85W-140. While down there, I felt my pinion and found that there is a slight amount of movement, just like there was when I dropped my Jeep off at the shop on Thursday for the pinion bearings to be replaced. The Lucas fluid instantly stopped the binding and unloading that would happen every time I backed up before the fluid change.

Could the binding/unloading blow pinion bearings? It only happened a few times in the two days that I drove to and from work before swapping the fluid. I called the shop back and told them everything and I will be bringing it in in the morning, but I am not too happy right now. Again, could the binding/unloading cause the pinion bearings to fail?

[scoobywerx]

I wouldn't think that the locker would have that kind of effect on a pinion bearing. A bunch of guys that I wheel with have all kinds of different lockers in their D30s and I can't recall even 1 pinion bearing failure. I do know that a few have had the same problem youre having but with different brand lockers ( a couple of lock rites and an aussie). Been happening for a couple years now but no bearing problems. They've just learned to live with it. I'll ask around tonight when we go out and see if there are any other opinions from those guys.

[dongalonga]

My Spartan has been clicking during any type of turn since the get go. My buddies doesn't click at all when he turns. I am going to switch to heavier oil and check the gap next time around.

[MadMattster]

I just signed up because I have been searching all over the place for info on why my front D30 Spartan locker makes such a horrible sound.
I recorded a clip of the sound it makes, kind of a crunchy, clunking, clicking sound. Is this what everybody thats had issues sounded like?

http://static.photobucket.com/player.../VIDEO0018.mp4
Hopefully it works. It's not in 4wd and making a left hand turn in a parking lot.

[mirra9112]

Originally Posted by mirra9112

Another update. Yesterday after work, I came home and swapped out the 80W-90 fluid that the shop filled my axle with and put in Lucas 85W-140. While down there, I felt my pinion and found that there is a slight amount of movement, just like there was when I dropped my Jeep off at the shop on Thursday for the pinion bearings to be replaced. The Lucas fluid instantly stopped the binding and unloading that would happen every time I backed up before the fluid change.

Could the binding/unloading blow pinion bearings? It only happened a few times in the two days that I drove to and from work before swapping the fluid. I called the shop back and told them everything and I will be bringing it in in the morning, but I am not too happy right now. Again, could the binding/unloading cause the pinion bearings to fail?

Final update: I removed my Spartan locker and replaced it with an Aussie locker. Problem solved.

[EugeneTheTJ]

FWIW, I put 85W-140 in it today and it is much better than 75W-140

[Trendsetter75]

Even if you don't tow you can use 85w 140 gear oil?

[jbjeepfever]

Old thread I know but, I was having some problems with my spartan binding up and not working correctly. It would only drive the right rear with the left being free. First thought was I sheared the teeth off the drivers side, but when I removed the diff cover everything looked good and was able to get it to work properly with the help of a screw driver. I ordered a pin and spring replacement kit and tore it all apart. The first time I put it together I had a gap of .168 IIC, had popping and banging every now and again (didn't think of checking what the gap was at until after I had it apart but it looked rather wide). This time when I put it back together I shimmed it to .133 ( I know gap spec is .145-.175 ) but figured it wouldn't hurt to try. In the week that it has been back together it has not popped nor made any sound other than the clickity click sound it should make. I have even tried to make it, back up turning one way then turn the other going forward and get after the gas, no pops or bangs. The new vs old springs did not feel any different but had no way to check but by hand.

If installing a spartan again I would try and get to the bottom end of the gap tolerance, it seems so far to act better with a smaller gap than a larger one. Thought I would post up this info so that it might help someone else out.

[BigBlue21]

Well good thing I found this old thread, just put a spartan locker in mine and I was having the exact same issues, I was worried my axle was exploding... good to know im not alone. So did anyone have luck with the heavier gear oil stoppin the unloading?
Thanks

[Dyn0mitemat]

Switch to the heaviest stuff you can find and you'll be fine. I ran heavy oil and it was fine when I bought it, swapped lp30 to hp30 and put lighter weight oil in and it started popping. Drained it out and put heavier in and its fine again. Then I had a pinion seal leak, before I could get the seal changed I topped the fluid off with lighter weight oil (added like 1/2 quart) and it started popping like crazy, when I finally replaced the seal I put heavier weight back in (i run the heavy duty Lucas that advanced sells, it's like 95-105 or w/e) and its completely fine again

[BigBlue21]

Awesome, great info thanks!

[9703tj]

Long term update on my Spartan is that it quieted down all by itself after a while without having to switch to heavier gear oil. I only ever notice it anymore when I'm backing into a parking spot with the wheels cut to the side one way or the other.