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eaton Gov Bomb Locker

H

Hitches31

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Location
Saginaw Mich
2004 GMC 2500 HD, 4WD
I need to settle a disagreement, Is the G-80 a true Locker or is it a Limited Slip ? I need everyones help
 
In between IMO.

It can solidly lock the two axles together but only after allowing one side to spin by itself. GM refers to it as a locking differential.

It doesn't perform nearly as well as a real locker.
 
It fully locks the differential when it activates, making it a locker.

Typically when you say LSD, it means there is a clutch or gears that limit the amount of slip, but do allow the axles to turn at different speeds under large traction mismatches. If this is your definition, then the Gov-lock can't be called a limited slip - it is either fully open or fully locked.

You almost have to put it in the category of selectable locker, except that wheel spin is what "selects" it, not a switch or cable.
 
It is a locker not a LS. When working right, Under normal conditions it is open. It completly locks the axles 100% when 1 wheel looses traction. It should lock when there is 50- 100 RPM diference between axles. My Gov loc locks when the wheel that looses traction spins about 1/2 of a revoultion.
Over speeds of 30 MPH it will not lock. That is what makes it a good streetable locker for the average driver not used to driving with a locked diff.
 
the new ones definitely have a locker feel, not an LSD feel, offroad. from what i've heard, the newer locker is much more reliable than the older versions. in my limited experience with each, it seems like the newer version locks sooner (less spin), so there's less shock load on the system. that could just be because the old ones are getting worn out, though. hmm, maybe this was a pointless post. :o
 
That's cool that it doesn't lock at high speeds. Makes for a great snow rig imho. It would suck to be going down the freeway at 45 and have a tire break loose on a turn, then have both of them grab. Suck, or fun, depends on your outlook I guess. Of course, I don't like the idea of full power going to both axles after one starts to spin. Sounds like a great way to break shafts. One of the reasons LS is good for what it is. LS is great as a front locker. Lincoln or Miller make great rear lockers. But from the factory the G80 sounds like a decent enough deal.
 
My understanding is that a locker is always locked (Detroit, Lock Right, Ez Locker)?
Click to expand...

those aren't really ALWAYS locked, exactly. they patrially disengage and allow differentiation in turns. but it's true that they aren't like selectable lockers that can be turned off for full-open use.
 
Hitches31 said:
My understanding is that a locker is always locked (Detroit, Lock Right, Ez Locker)?
Click to expand...

A spool is always locked.

Mechanical lockers (such as detroits) should unlock during turns.

My detroits (probably since I have a 4 speed) are very throttle sensitive. If I'm making a tight turn (in 2WD) the locker will stay unlocked if I'm off the throttle and will instantly lock up when I touch the gas.
 
Yes - always locked is called "spool". A locker is like a double-ratchet. A wheel can over-run the differential, but the differential can not spin faster than either wheel. A spool will drag one tire around curves on the pavement, but a locker will unlock and let the outside tire go faster as long as you let off the gas.

I would be surprised if we haven't already had this thread 10 times, though.
 
The newer AAM axles have lockers made in house now . They are stronger than the units of old . They are also either electric now , or helical gear , called Trac Rite at the manufacturer ( AAM ) .
 
vortec said:
the new ones definitely have a locker feel, not an LSD feel, offroad. from what i've heard, the newer locker is much more reliable than the older versions. in my limited experience with each, it seems like the newer version locks sooner (less spin), so there's less shock load on the system. that could just be because the old ones are getting worn out, though. hmm, maybe this was a pointless post. :o
Click to expand...

You are right. The newer Gov locks do lock up sooner with less wheel spin. The fly weight that engages the locker has a different spring. Also the newer ones have better clutches, and bigger bearings. You can rebuild an older one to newer specs. If you catch it before it goes BOOM!
 
What I've always wondered is, with the gov loc, once it locks when does it decide to unlock? When you let off the gas? I can feel when mine locks up pretty easy but I can never tell when it unlocks
 
Used to be about 25MPH (wheel speed) for unlock. So for mudding, obviously not a good design. May have changed the MPH for later, I don't know.

Aren't the side gears still held in place via clutches?
 
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