Trac-lock additive

redcrd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:56 am

Hello all, what would be the symptoms and then outcome of not adding the additive to the rear diff? My understanding is the additive just makes the already slippery diff oil more slippery which is not good. If you dont add the additive the diff locks easier. thanks

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:26 pm

A trac-loc never really "locks." It is a limited slip, most commonly known by the GM term "posi" or "posi trac." The symptoms I have heard before when people failed to add a posi additive in a clutch-type limited slip diff starts with the plates " chattering" and slipping, like a worn out transmission clutch. This damages the discs and they are no longer able to hold any bias at all.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:39 pm

Before I realized I had Trac-Loc in my axle I changed the fluid and didn't add any additive everything was fine for about a week then on tight corners the rear end would start binding and making snapping sounds.

redcrd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:40 pm

What would be the approx. mileage you can drive before you've caused permanent damage?

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:57 pm

preferably no miles as any loss of modifier can cause accelerated wear

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:16 pm

For the 13$ its worth it lol... Don't be Cheap. Also if you have the Tow Package You should be running 75w140 Wich isn't cheap by any means

redcrd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:24 pm

The problem isnt the $$, it's that I believe I forgot the additive when I did the diff oil change and that was approx. 2,000 miles ago, I had the chattering but now its gone so i'm wondering if I have permanent damage or if I put additive tomorrow could there be a possibility I stop further damage.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:40 pm

I'd have to say Yes

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:29 pm

if you had chattering and it is now gone, you have most certainly worn the clutch plates to the point where they are no longer able to engage each other, hence the lack of chattering

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:32 pm

redcrd wrote:

The problem isnt the $$, it's that I believe I forgot the additive when I did the diff oil change and that was approx. 2,000 miles ago, I had the chattering but now its gone so i'm wondering if I have permanent damage or if I put additive tomorrow could there be a possibility I stop further damage.

Bye-bye trash-loc,hello open diff.

InCommando · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:31 am

For $13 bucks I would add it and cross your fingers. Chances are that your LIMITED slip is now an ALWAYS slip.

Don't fret it to much: the trac-loc is called the trash-loc for a reason. Its low bias meant it never helped much and they generally are overwhelmed just when you need them. That, and they are often all but worn out by 50-60,000 miles in many folks' experience.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:52 am

yea mines pretty much garbage but i can make it lock up, it just won't stay locked once you stress it past a certain point

works fine for sand/snow/ice but it breaks free with higher stress stuff like rocks

redcrd · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:37 am

So what would be the best for 90% road & 10% offroad (mud,sand), leave it or swap it out with something better like a Detroit true-trac or ARB?

InCommando · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:06 pm

IMHO the truetrac is the finest LSD on the market. It is not a locker, but it is seamless and it improves your traction for the 90+% of the time that you would not have the ARB locked. The ARB is the best option when it is needed, but that really isn't that much of the time for most of us.

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:45 pm

another good option is the aussie locker. which is a locking diff, I know of at least one person that has one in a libby and loves it.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:32 pm

VoodooMann wrote:

another good option is the aussie locker. which is a locking diff, I know of at least one person that has one in a libby and loves it.

Wrong, just ask Digger how good an Aussie is

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:56 pm

what's wrong with the aussies?

I loved the one I had in my old truck.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:10 pm

VoodooMann wrote:

what's wrong with the aussies?

I loved the one I had in my old truck.

Don't keep up much do you, Aussies and 8.25 seem to not like each other, plus if you have a problem its pretty much oh well from them, So not a good choice, plus what you spend on it you could add some and get a real locker

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:22 pm

I just read digger's post...

that sucks

TBJ seemed to like his last time I saw him

XJMA · **Posted:** Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:42 pm

time to rebuild the trash lock. New springs and if you can fit extra clutches in there, that is good. It NEEDS the additive. Or, you could put a real locker in there and forget about it!

Trac-lock additive

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