I installed a Powertrax NoSlip in the rear of my KJ a couple of months ago. It has been working find, but lately it has gotten noisey. It seams to make the most noise when backing up. Three times now it has made a rather load pop and jump. It seamed as if I had hit something, but I didn't. I've checked my gear lube level and I didn't loose any.

What could be the problem? What should I do to check it further?

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LostRenegade - Lost # 477
2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade - Silver
Mopar Skids, Skid Row Tranny Skid, Boulder Bars, Frankenlift II, 60" Hi-Lift Jack, K&N 6x9 Air Filter, Magnaflow, Dertoit Locker, 245/75R16 BF Goodrich All Terrains, Al's A-Arms

You know mine exhibited the same behavior. At first it was pretty well manner and now sometimes it just goes crazy. It seems to cycle (pop,crack,pop,crack,pop,crack...) when do slight turns under no load. The owners manual talks about cycling a bit. It actually explains alot. So anyways my diff was leaking from a poor RTV job by yours truly. So I open her up and everything was fine. Also every now and then it makes a darn load pop and you can feel her jerk. But every time she turns out fine and then not a peep from her for a whole week. Oh well, guess that is how it goes.

Yep...Same here

Sometimes its loud enough that Im sure something very important has just broken

But....its just the locker reminding me it's there.

"rather load pop and jump"

I feel like I'm in a Twilight Zone episode !!!!

"Sometimes its loud enough that Im sure something very important has just broken "

Not just Dana 35 power-Craps after all.

It should not make a jump...Eveyone should Call Johnny Brown at Richmond gear. Let me know if you want the number and email address.

Yall might not bust an axle but you'll sure wear out the pinion, carrier, or bearings.

But you know, its like some of these SMART guys say: " I ain't had no trouble with mine, every company has defects"

NOT GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER FOR SAFETY AND DRIVE TRAIN STUFF...Not in my book anyway.

P.S. Mine is coming out tommorrow.

What I did was add some friction modifier. I know that it doesn't need it but, it did make a huge difference with mine.

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Wayne
Used to have a NICE KJ
Check out my cardomain to see

Yes, Mine does exactly what everyone has described. I've only had the jump part happen about 3 times. It happened just the other day at McDonalds. My wife thought I backed into something when it happened.

I'll try adding some more friction modifier and see if that helps.

What type of gear lube did you use? I put in Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-140.

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LostRenegade - Lost # 477
2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade - Silver
Mopar Skids, Skid Row Tranny Skid, Boulder Bars, Frankenlift II, 60" Hi-Lift Jack, K&N 6x9 Air Filter, Magnaflow, Dertoit Locker, 245/75R16 BF Goodrich All Terrains, Al's A-Arms

This thing is loud, it pops and clunks and squeals tires but it's tuff. All normal, don't worry. You'll know if something is wrong, it will do more than pop and clunk.

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2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

Actually mine seemed to be the quitest and most well manner with just cheap lube. When it comes time to change it again I just might go back to the old dyno stuff.

Good luck

(when I first looked at this discussion, mr. jferg mentioned that the small springs might be going bad....that comment is now gone from his post...???...)

well, that makes sense to me mr. jferg....I think you're right about the springs....that ARB fellow mentioned that in another discussion....mine was super quiet for the first six months....while not annoying, it has begun to make itself noticed more frequently now....reading on here over the months, people said not to worry about it....so I haven't....

this liberty thing is the only experience I have with locking differentials and limited slips....I figured they were like u-joints and mufflers....you bust 'em and fix 'em.....mine has worked really well considering the cost, etc.... I'm one of those "ain't had no trouble" fellows you were refering to but I'm NOT one of the smart ones.... ....

eddo, maybe they just wear out....

for the fellow who started this discussion....I got a few more months of quiet operation than you did....have you been in deep water?....maybe your lube is watered.....do you accelerate hard as a driving habit?....you feel good about the installation/mechanic?....

I used valvoline non-synthetic 85-140....no friction additive....but I haven't drained it since it was installed and that may be a factor for my noises....I plan to open it up shortly to take a look....like I say, its working good still but if I get really concerned, I might pick up some new springs at lowes or parts store and see if replacing them helps....if I do, I hope the c-clips come out easy....

(just wanted to jump in the conversation guys....hope you don't mind)

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steve

'98 TJ sport gunmetal blue
33's with modifications to make them fit....still need a few more things....

first jeep....
'04 liberty sport 4x4 khaki
modified as recommended by L.O.S.T.....major fun on vacation....

L.O.S.T. (in fla.) #000496

Camper,
I too use the non- synthetic 85-140, no modifier, do deep water, mud, and whatevers in my way. No problems to date with 10,000 miles on the Power Trax.


Seems logical that the springs could loose tension after some time and not engage properly. Should be inexspensive to replace the springs.

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Slightly modified Lt. Khaki 3.7 2004 LTD 4X4. Purchased new 8/6/03.
What I don't have....A Mag light mounted to my seat.
Original Old L.O.S.T. #000354

Nick's Pics & Mods click here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/531173
http://www.survivaltopics.com/forums/

I did take that out because I give up. Why did I give up...well I'll tell ya.

I talked to Johnny Brown today and got an RMA #, and discussed the issue with him again.

He told me that the springs should never weaken and that maybe my axle is not made to exacting specs ( not gonna explain this now). He could be right about that on a Dana 35 but not yours.

Anyway, to get straight to the point...I have a prior email from richmond that says it could be a weak spring problem. So I feel that if the story is everchanging...I don't need the product.

I can tell you that adding a friction modifier makes the lube more tacky and can contribute to the already "weak spring" causing the thingy's to stick. I went from syn to 3 tubes of modifier back to regular cheapo. the regular cheapo works better for me. You really should not need the modifier because its not a "friction" activated design. Its simply a matter of the plates opening and closing.

Oh yeah, if the springs always remain the same then why does the book tell you it quiets down after XXX# miles?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, should you get that tooth jarring jolt upon disengagement or engagement? I think only engagement, and that would point to weak springs not holding it open long enough on a turn and it snapping back to "engaged". or worse yet...not all the way disengaged.

I have seen no evidence of damage so far, It is coming out wed now instead of today so I have time to clear up any issues before I install the Auburn ECTED.

the1jferg, does your make that popping and clank every single time you turn? If so then something is probably wrong or not set up right. Mine will pop and clank from time to time but in reality it probably happens 1% of the time and might jerk about twice a month.

It quiets down after some miles because the little dog-teeth gears start to develop wear patterns and slip in and out easier. No more clicking.

BTW, I notice similar results with synthetic and friction modifier. Seems to work best with just cheap dino. Probably best that way because I can ever seem to seal up my diff correctly.

"develop wear patterns "

Eddo, does it say this in the book? Remember that 767 that landed on the nose strut not to long ago? Same type stuff.

Mine does not do it every time, but every day, and the WRONG time. Most of my driving right now is not hiway.

Its just not the device for me.

The issue we discussed today had to do with cross shaft misalignment, which has been a Dan 35 issue for many years. This could be my problem but the device is coming out anyway.

I'm sure its a healthy device for most and wish them well.

Mine make little noises most of the time. The load clank, pops and jumps happen some of the time. Actually, the jump is pretty rare.

I do drive my KJ quite a bit. It is my daily driver. I commute about 80 miles per day. I've only off roaded once since the install and no water crossings.

From what I've heard here, It sounds like I should drain it, inspect it and add the cheap dino lube in with no modifier.

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LostRenegade - Lost # 477
2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade - Silver
Mopar Skids, Skid Row Tranny Skid, Boulder Bars, Frankenlift II, 60" Hi-Lift Jack, K&N 6x9 Air Filter, Magnaflow, Dertoit Locker, 245/75R16 BF Goodrich All Terrains, Al's A-Arms

I'm pretty sure the literature says you don't need the friction modifier and unless I was going to leave the differential sealed for a very long duration, I figure the non-synthetic lube is a reasonable choice....

nick (kj04)....I'm with you man....whatever makes the trail a double diamond, I want to try it....as much as I like our liberty, if I knew I was going to find jeeping this much fun, I'd have bought a TJ....

this is gonna sound dumb but until my power-trax breaks (if ever), I'm not going to worry much about it....I'll change that tune when I have to pay for something else....but for now, I get a strange thrill when it bangs or chirps the tires...

must be that "jeep thing" people talk about...

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steve

'98 TJ sport gunmetal blue
33's with modifications to make them fit....still need a few more things....

first jeep....
'04 liberty sport 4x4 khaki
modified as recommended by L.O.S.T.....major fun on vacation....

L.O.S.T. (in fla.) #000496

ditto camper, when we break one we'll worry. otherwise it's how they perform, yeah louder than the stock limited slip but hey this is a real locker and offroad kicksass.

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2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

Ok guys, I've been trying to stay out of this one, but I can't take it any more. Normally I wouldn't say anything, but as Richmond is aware fo the problem, I'll speak up a bit.

Why in Heaven's name would you put Friction Modifier in your Diff?!?!?!? I don't see any clutches in there! That stuff is for clutch type posi's, it makes the clutches work/grab better. Putting it in your regular fluid without need shortens the life of your regular lube for no reason. If anything, you're hiding a problem with it, making the springs in the Powertrax stick so it doesn't make noise. That's not smart...

The No Slip is a weak design. Richmond knows this and is working on fixing the problem. You KJ guys have been getting away with them because you can't run anything bigger than a 31" tire. Ask someone running one with bigger tires what they think, you'll find that they fail after a few months when the springs go bad. BOOOM fail. It is a good idea, and I hope Richmond works the bugs out. Most of you guys know, but I used to be in the Diff only business, and I saw ton's of em come back broken in half.

So, to make it last longer, do two things. Get the fricken Posi fluid out of there. Run regular oil, not synthetic. It's thicker, and should help out a little with the heavy popping. Yes, it's wearing things out in there when it does that. No, that's not good. 2, when it gets bad, replace the springs. They're CHEAP. It's easy to do, and should fix your problem til they wear out again. Carry a spare set of em.

That should help you out a little. See, did that without pimping our stuff once. Good times!

Aloha!

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Seth Green
Western Sales Manager
ARB USA
Used to have: 02 Rene w/ SFA Swap. Sold... I'll miss her
New Baby is an 07 1500 Dodge HEMI
6" Lift and lots O Go Fast parts

Thanks for the feedback Seth, please jump in anytime we value your opinion. I don't doubt they aren't good for 33"+ tires, in that case a detriot would probably be better, my point I want to clarify is that they are loud they pop and make all kinds of sounds but it's normal and they are strong enough for what we are running them for.

Don't worry about it people. Adjust driving habits when corning and turn up the radio

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2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

"my point I want to clarify is that they are loud they pop and make all kinds of sounds but it's normal and they are strong enough for what we are running them for"

Sure they are...BUT YOUR COMPONETS AIN'T

Seth, I see you stand behind your products, not beside them as Richmond does.

See, they have never aknowledged problems except with the springs, depending on what day it is. (NOT PUBLICLY)

It is sold as absolutly quiet. Any problem is your problem.

Johnny Brown told me that you should not reuse the washers under any circumstance either if you take the unit out?

You did not have to pimp your stuff...You bolstered my opinion of POWER-CRAP.

P.S. Auburn beat yall to the punch with a Dana 35 unit manufactured for tone ring.
ALL My Love, John