On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, Dave Terrick wrote:
>
> Listers,
>
> does anybody know what one of these is?
I have one in my mostly street driven TR4.
In essence, it is a limited slip diferential. Unlike modern posis
(which use a mechanism with clutches) the locker relys on a
ratchet-like mechanism rather than clutches to lock up both rear
wheels when slip on the driven wheel is detected.
It's easy to spot a "locker". Outward apearance is unlike that of
the standard rear (you can't see the spider gears) the "pumkin"
looks like a closed cylinder).
Driving with a locker installed is... Interesting.
At slow speed in tight turns you will occasionally hear clunking.
Driving at speed when you let off power the car will favor the
left... nailing power the car will favor the right. "Favor" as in
want to move in that direction. It's a bit disconcerting at first
but you learn to live with it. Also occasionally you will hear
clunks at speed when the rear detects slippage on the driven wheel
(probably from irregularities or gravel in the pavement) and locks
up...
Subtle ain't one of a locker's virtues. As for performance your car
may tend to understeer with a locker.
I had sway bars both front and rear on my`4 prior to the locker.
I had to remove the front sway bar to better manage the drastic
understeer (as in almost no response to the helm under heavy
power in first). With a GT6 it might be different (The `4 has a
solid rear axle).
On the whole I still like what the locker does for the car
performance-wise (if I didn't it would have been gone long ago).
Hope this helps
Greg Petrolati
gpetrola@prairienet.org 1962 TR4 (CT4852L)
"That's not a leak... My car is just marking its territory!"
Greg Petrolati, Champaign, Illinois
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