8valvehero Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Hey gang. Ive been scratching my head for a few days and have been searching, but can't figure this one out: My ‘91 has a D44 with traclok. Recently, the axle has been making a loud growling noise with resistance when making a sharp turn. When in the air, if I block one wheel and try to rotate the other, it won’t budge. The Traclok D44 in my ‘88 does not behave this way. I think it is binding up and not slipping as it should. Partial disassembly has revealed no clues. Thanks for responding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 not sure if this is actually helpful, but my Dakota R/T had a similar issue where the limited-slip stopped... slipping. would chirp the tires just coasting around a corner. was fixed under warranty with a new unit installed so I don't know the cause of the failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 The Trac-Lok requires an additive in the diff lube to allow the clutches to release. It's called "Friction Modifier." If you changed the diff lube without adding a bottle of friction modifier, that would do it. I don't know if it's supposed to wear out, but my experience has been that it does, and once or twice over the life of a Trac-Lok unit I have added a fresh bottle of friction modifier to the diff. I only buy it from Jeep dealers. Auto parts chains sell something they claim is the same thing, but ... it doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Sounds like the Trac-Lok clutch packs are worn out; pretty common. Just for grins, jack it up with both wheels off the ground and spin one wheel by hand in neutral. The opposite wheel should spin in the same direction. My used D44 Trac-Lok didn't when I first got it, clutch packs were gone like I had an open carrier. Had them replaced when regearing, and all was well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 31 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said: Sounds like the Trac-Lok clutch packs are worn out; pretty common. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 It does NOT sound like the clutch packs are worn out. I've been there and done that. When the clutch packs wear out, it reverts to acting like an open diff. As such, if he jacks it up and blocks one wheel, the other wheel should turn freely. It sounds like his Trac-Lok is functioning but doesn't have friction modifier in the gear lube. In that situation, the clutches don't release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 9 minutes ago, Eagle said: It does NOT sound like the clutch packs are worn out. I've been there and done that. When the clutch packs wear out, it reverts to acting like an open diff. As such, if he jacks it up and blocks one wheel, the other wheel should turn freely. It sounds like his Trac-Lok is functioning but doesn't have friction modifier in the gear lube. In that situation, the clutches don't release. This is very possible. OP, before doing anything drastic, grab a bottle or two of the Mopar limited slip additive, pour it in the diff and drive it around and see if the clutches might free up on their own. Worth a shot. I get mine on Ebay HERE. Definitely worth a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8valvehero Posted April 8, 2018 Author Share Posted April 8, 2018 Thanks all for the input. I’ll try the friction modifier. I havent changed the fluid in the rear yet. It looked ok when I bought the truck last year, so I left it alone (with plans to refresh the whole axle like I did the front). I couldnt quite figure out if the friction modifier was necessary to prevent slipping or to prevent binding. I’m glad that we have great minds like Hornbrod to show us the light. I swapped in the axle from my parts truck, so for now she’s running 3.07 gears and only 2wd. Gross. I’ll drop this axle in the parts truck and drive it around w friction modifier in it to see if it loosens up. I’m planning a teardown anyway, so its not a huge deal if it needs to be rebuilt. Has anyone here rebuilt a Traclok diff before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 8 minutes ago, 8valvehero said: Has anyone here rebuilt a Traclok diff before? Twice, in a Dana 35 in my XJ. The first time, the Trac-Lok stopped working and we literally rebuilt it. A good friend was a retired service manager from the dealership where I had bought the XJ. We tore it down in his garage and stuck in a couple of replacement shims and clutch pads, reassembled, and I got another 50,000 miles or so out of it. When it stopped "locking" (I know -- I'm using the term loosely) the second time, I put in a complete rebuild kit. -- new clutches and new shims/spacers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INjake89mj Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 trak-lok_diff_5313-3.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8valvehero Posted April 27, 2018 Author Share Posted April 27, 2018 Started getting down to business today. That’s my other MJ in the background- ‘88 “Sipsey”. Her axle is currently rolling under my ‘91. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now