Alright, it looks like my spider gears are gone in my rear end. They are all in one piece but sounds very rough.

I think if I have to replace them I will put a posi system in. Now I've been looking at the Auburn Pro series and the Detroit EZ locker. Everyone seems to have their opinion as to which one is the best. Some say the Auburn will only last 3 years, others say that the EZ locker is just not the way to go. Spoke with one guy and they sell Auburns but they rebuild the Ford Posi for the 9inch rear end, 31 spline.

Does anyone have any experience with different posi systems?

Thanks,
Darryl
80 Bronco

 

Don't know much about how long posi last, but My 20 year old rig has the limited slip from the factory and it still works fairly well.

 

I'm in the process of bolting a Detroit (TracTech) TrueTrac into my Bronco's 9". Can't give you any first-hand experiences, yet, but I decided on it after receiving a lot of positive feedback. Reportedly, no clutch plates to wear out. Good ratings on all areas except rock crawling, where one wheel may leave the ground. My truck had an open diff, and while I was in to change out the bearings and seals, I had this added. If I like it enough, I'll probably put one in the front end in another year or so. As it stands, at least this will bring me up to 3-wheel drive! I thought the cost was fairly reasonable, also, at around $330.00.

 

How can u find out if you have limited slip?

Adam

 

restorit where did you get the Truetrac from? I'm in Canada?

 

Someone jump in here if I'm wrong, but I believe that the axle code (on the door tag) will be followed by an "L" if it's limited slip (nothing after the code if it's not). Also, with the rear jacked up, you should be able to rotate one tire forward or backward and have the other rotate in the opposite direction if you have a limited slip. At least this has been my understanding and experience with past trucks..... My Truetrac came from Reider Racing. Not trying to advertise here for them, but I was very happy. Much less than another vendor quoted me, and I saw it in three days with standard ground shipping.

 

Yes I know who they are and do agree with you. What size tires are you running? I have 33" and do you have 31 spline axles?

 

Okay. I'm jumping!

At least for Bronco's of the '90's, a "H" in the axle code, such as H9, is a limited slip. A non-limited slip of the same ratio would be a 19.

If you have both rear wheels off the ground, parking brake OFF , and trans in Park, turning one wheel by hand will make the other rear wheel turn the opposite for an OPEN (non-limited slip) rear end.

If you try to do the same with a LS rear with the clutches in good condition, it will be a lot harder to turn the wheel. Turn it hard enough to overcome the friction of the LS clutch plates, and the other rear wheel will start to turn opposite.

 

if you can turn your wheels will in park something else is wrong

 

Both wheels will rotate in the same direction if it is jacked up and in neutral. If you turn one and the other goes in the opposite dirrection, then you have an open rearend.
The door code for axle will have a letter and number if it is limited slip. Just numbers if open.
H6 is supposidly 3.50 limited slip.
If it still has the tag on the rearend, then on the bottom line closest to the nut that is holding it, it will give you ratio and if it is open os LS.
The 1st number is sometimes hard to see because of the nut, but it should say something like 3L50 if it is a 3.50 LS or 3 50 if it is a 3.50 open rearend.
Jimmy

 

dazman:

Gotta love this board! I've got a binder and a three-hole punch, and every time good information like this is put out, it gets printed and filed. Sort of a "Make your own" version of a truck shop manual.

At any rate, mine has 31-spline axles. I pulled them just to be sure before ordering. I'm running BFG AT 30" X 9.50R15's now, and will probably be moving up to the BFG AT/KO 31" X 10.50R15's, but not larger. Just a matter of personal preference, plus I don't want to change my 3.50 gearing to pull a bigger tire.

I sent the axle shafts to the local machine shop for new bearings and seals, and pulled the third member and sent it off (with the new diff) to a local and reputable shop for installation with new bearings and seals. Had it back in a couple of days. Now it sits in my shop, along with the shafts, waiting to go back in. I'm putting in new leaf springs, also, so I've put the axles / diff aside to fight with cutting bolts and busting knuckles. Been busy at work, so I probably won't get back to it until next weekend.

At any rate, the snow and ice is coming! Got really disgusted two years ago when I got stuck in a ditch and had to be pulled out. It wasn't a bad stick, and with LS in the front / rear it never would have happened. Guess I'll have to get used to the rear end fishtailing when leaving traffic lights this winter, but it'll be nice if I don't have to constantly use 4Hi to get moving. Nothing like driving around on that damned packed snow / ice cap!!!

 

What do you guys think about a mini spool in the front?
I can get one for 30 bucks for a D44.
I figure I never lock the hubs unless I'm going thru low traction anyway.
And when I pull onto some hard surfaces for a little while I can just unlock the drivers side hub.

 

I dont know much about differentials, but a spool should have nothing to do with hubs. It has everything to do with the differential itself. I looked around for a quick second online about spools, and found this (take note):

Will fit front axles - but we do not reccomend installing a spool in the front of any vehicle


Rich

 

Well, a mini spool replaces the differential, thus locking the 2 axles together like one, like a lincoln locker.
I was saying that to drive with out posibly breaking an axle on dry ground, I can unlock one hub so that I can turn.
I was just wondering what opinions you guys might give me on this area. BTW Even if I lock in one hub, then I'll have 3 wheel drive.
Thanks guys.