Trac Loc limited slip question

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:02 am

How do you tell if the trac loc is worn out or is no longer functioning. It has been said that some only last around 50k and i am around 51k now.

-nick

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:46 am

Good question. Wonder if the service manual gives a procedure for testing it? I'm at 35k and pretty sure mine is almost used up.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:18 am

I'm not sure what the break away spec for the trac loc in teh liberty is, but on a D80, it is approx 200 lb/ft applied to one wheel. Basically, jack up one wheel, place the trafer case in N, and use a dial torque wrench to measure the breakaway torque. The trac loc in my 02 dodge dually failed the test at 23 miles.,....bad right from teh factory. The trac loc has an unusual stack order in that only about 50% of the friction surfaces are active. On teh other hand, when I stacked the 80 for max active surfaces, I ended up with a spool!. Many times, you can revitalize the trac loc by dumping the fluid, using a brake cleaner to clean out the clutches, and refil with a conventional fear oil. I ahve had great success with Ford Motorsports Performance Friction Modifier addded. That stuff stinks like a home-perm gone bad, but it tacks-up when the clutches start to slip.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:35 am

Is the trac-loc in the Liberty diff a clutch type LSD?

Simple way to tell if they work on Mustangs (Clutch type LSD) is by looking for one wheel peel. I wonder if that can be applied to the Liberty as well? When the road is damp or wet, add a little extra throttle from a standing start while you are in 2WD. If both tires spin, well the LSD is working. If only one is than it would be time to replace the clutches.... But I don't know if that applies across the board or not.

JacksJeep · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:48 am

Yes, it works on Libbys too. Mine was just fine at 60K when I replaced it with a Powertrax. (I just wanted a full locker).)

06BlueLimited · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:48 pm

Is this something that can go out on the 06 also?

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:29 pm

06BlueLimited wrote:

Is this something that can go out on the 06 also?

I believe the 06 has the electronic traction control instead of the limited slip differential (At least, I didn't see a Trac-Loc option on the 06 liberties)

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:31 pm

If you ordered an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) from the factory, it will wear out over time. The clutch material that they use to send power to both tires is typically soft and wears fast if used enough. Driven without abuse though, it could last a long time.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:40 pm

The frictions and steels for rebuilding the Trac-Loc are about $50. They are very easy to reclutch. The stack order can be changed so that it is as aggressive or passive as you would like.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:22 pm

Straight6Jeff wrote:

The frictions and steels for rebuilding the Trac-Loc are about $50. They are very easy to reclutch. The stack order can be changed so that it is as aggressive or passive as you would like.

Now this is something that I would LOVE to see in a Tech Article...Any takers???

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:02 pm

I'd like to install a LSD in mine.... I don't know if I am ready yet though.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:37 am

I may be able to document a reclutch in the next few weeks. As far as those who are unsure of the difficulty, it really is easy. It really is just a remove-restack-replace. The only trick is to make sure you keep the Carrier shims on teh correct side. I will be intalling a Tru-Trac this weekend in the rear of mine...I will take pics of the preload/backlash setup.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:01 am

setting backlash/preload is very time consuming...do you guys with LSD's ever try brake modulation to make it engage? We do that on the Humvees at the arsenal...

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:13 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

do you guys with LSD's ever try brake modulation to make it engage? We do that on the Humvees at the arsenal...

I dont know what brake modulation(maybe eloborate?) is, but one or two clicks on the Parking Brake always engages mine...and any other LSD Jeep rear end i've seen.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:17 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

Is the trac-loc in the Liberty diff a clutch type LSD?

Simple way to tell if they work on Mustangs (Clutch type LSD) is by looking for one wheel peel. I wonder if that can be applied to the Liberty as well? When the road is damp or wet, add a little extra throttle from a standing start while you are in 2WD. If both tires spin, well the LSD is working. If only one is than it would be time to replace the clutches.... But I don't know if that applies across the board or not.

Makes sense. So I suppose by that notion that it should work to find some dry pavement and peel rubber - if one tire peels, it's an open diff, if both peel then it's an LSD?

JeepnJer · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:40 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

sleeve84028 wrote:

Is the trac-loc in the Liberty diff a clutch type LSD?

Simple way to tell if they work on Mustangs (Clutch type LSD) is by looking for one wheel peel. I wonder if that can be applied to the Liberty as well? When the road is damp or wet, add a little extra throttle from a standing start while you are in 2WD. If both tires spin, well the LSD is working. If only one is than it would be time to replace the clutches.... But I don't know if that applies across the board or not.

Makes sense. So I suppose by that notion that it should work to find some dry pavement and peel rubber - if one tire peels, it's an open diff, if both peel then it's an LSD?

Save your clutch and tires... do it in soft, deep gravel, sand or dirt. My XJ's Chrysler 8.25 Trac-Loc (same rearend as Liberty's) lasted 113K (unfortunately stolen).

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:06 pm

Guyute1210 wrote:

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

do you guys with LSD's ever try brake modulation to make it engage? We do that on the Humvees at the arsenal...

I dont know what brake modulation(maybe eloborate?) is, but one or two clicks on the Parking Brake always engages mine...and any other LSD Jeep rear end i've seen.

Yeah that is the idea. You apply a little brake while giving it gas to activate the LSD...makes a huge difference. Our Humvees have hand throttles just for this. I haven't seen any body use the parking brake but since yours are only in the rear that makes sense. Those of you that haven't tried this and have a trac-loc, try it. It may make a world of difference. Give it a little brake and some gas (as much as you need to move through whatever).

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:12 pm

JeepnJer wrote:

Save your clutch and tires... do it in soft, deep gravel, sand or dirt. My XJ's Chrysler 8.25 Trac-Loc (same rearend as Liberty's) lasted 113K (unfortunately stolen).

First, sorry that your XJ was stolen.

That is why, in my original post, I recommended doing it on wet pavement instead of dry. Loose gravel or dirt roads are also nice ideas. Burning off tires on a Mustang is one thing... Can't say I have ever seen it done on a Liberty though.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:15 pm

well when I was "getting rid" of my goodyears...why waste a perfectly good piece of junk?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:56 am

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

"getting rid" of my good-for-a-years...

I edited it a little...

Trac Loc limited slip question

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