I have a 6.2/465 and a 14bolt with a Detroit. My Detroit seems to make my truck swerve all over the place sometimes. It seems to do it after coming out of a turn, once I straighten out it will try to swerve left or right, sometimes it will swerve once, other times it will do it over and over. I can hardly stay in my lane. Its pretty scary at times. Im like 99% sure its b/c of the locker. Ive figured out if I go through the turn with the clutch in it will prevent it. Also doesnt seem to do it as much in the cold weather. Is this normal, maybe I should use a thicker gear oil?
CK5
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Another Detroit question
- Thread starter protechk5
- Start date
hobie237
Registered Member
The Detroit unlocks when there is no power to it, locks with power to it. When you make a turn under power, the Detroit forces both wheels to turn at the same speed. The problem is that the outside wheel has to travel farther than the inside wheel, so at least one wheel (most likely the inside) won't have proper traction, because it's slipping relative to the pavement.
That's the disadvantage of a Detroit, there's nothing you can do about it, except ditch the Detroit. This is why selectable lockers are preferred in dual-purpose vehicles.
That's the disadvantage of a Detroit, there's nothing you can do about it, except ditch the Detroit. This is why selectable lockers are preferred in dual-purpose vehicles.
OffRoad
1/2 ton status
that sounds weird to me. LOTS of guys on this site have Detroit lockers in the rear of their rigs and i haven't heard of them dancing and shaking around in the road.
hobie237
Registered Member
Depends how you drive it. If you know how the Detroit behaves and adjust your driving accordingly (like staying out of the gas and/or pushing the clutch in when making tight turns, not slamming a shift in mid-turn on a rainy day, etc.) it's hard to know it's even there. The only time I really feel the Detroit in my truck is when making a U-turn, particularly in the wet, but by now I'm used to being gentle with the throttle in situations like that (a ~200hp Miata will do that for you).
It's just a matter of acknowledging the characteristics of a proper full locker and adjusting to it.
It's just a matter of acknowledging the characteristics of a proper full locker and adjusting to it.
wayne
3/4 ton status
I have to agree. Been running a Detroit for over 6 years and never any issues like you decribe. Check your air pressure in your tires. What fluid are you running in the rear?
WJACKSON11X
1/2 ton status
x2 on the tire pressure, mine did that and my pressures were off by a couple pounds. Aired them up the exact same and the problem went away.
