Crazy Noise from Lokked Front?

robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
While offroading the other day, my front diff seemed to be making some loud ratcheting noises, which is normal when turning with the front Lokka. However, this occurred on a sandy hill with loose traction and going in a straight line. Everyone outside said they thought it was from my front differential...I thought it was a drive shaft banging on something from inside the cab. Per Lokka...and what seems logical in the design of the gears, if you are giving it power it can't ratchet because the torque input actually drives the gears together tighter.

Question...WTF is going on? I know not many people have a Lokka on here...but has anyone heard this kind of noise before? Could it have been a drive shaft vibrating on something underneath?

I have contacted Lokka to get their take on the video. I have used the Lokka since January with no issues...and not even an audible ratchet noise when offroading, so I would be surprised if it was this drastic all of a sudden. I have done those exact same trails before without a noise like that.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVS0IhCj88E&feature=youtu.be
 
Frogstar7055

Frogstar7055

Wheeling
Location
Jacksonville FL
I have heard my Lokka ratchet off road many times (in slow non-powering corners) and it never sounded like that.
Is it spinning one tire and not the other when this happens?
 
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
it is hard to tell. I have never really heard my lokka ratchet, so I wasn't sure what it would sound like.

I may have blown a hub or something and is grinding internally. You can tell in the 2nd clip, you can hear the noise even though I am not going anywhere....so maybe the power is going through the diff gears and destroying a hub. My hubs have had issues recently randomly locking up on the road and not disengaging sometimes.


:)
 
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04silverX

Bought an X
Location
Fort Mill SC
I havent heard the video but from what you discribe I would bet you have a bad hub, do you have auto or manuals? When we blew our hub it was a loud ratchting sound any time high torque was applied.
 
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
04silverX said:
I havent heard the video but from what you discribe I would bet you have a bad hub, do you have auto or manuals? When we blew our hub it was a loud ratchting sound any time high torque was applied.
Click to expand...

that is basically exactly what I am hearing. I have the stock Autos...I had blown one before but replace them with another used set of stock hubs. May be time to upgrade to manual hubs...
 
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
both half shafts are around 6 months old. Replace them both when installing the Lokka, so it probably isn't a CV joint there

Seems like a hub is the general consensus. That makes sense given the sticky hubs not wanting to disengage recently.

Sooo...

I hear Mile Markers are weak
No one knows much about Rugged Ridge
and everyone loves Warn
and HardBody hubs are the best if you can find them...

opinions?
 
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robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
TJTJ said:
Try to find hardbodies.
Click to expand...

Year range? And everyone likes the stock hardbody hubs...are they still available from dealership? Are they manual or auto locking hubs?

I am hesitant about going 2nd hand hubs since I just did that about a year ago with the stock auto lockers and they didn't seem to last that long.

I guess on that note...is a hub a common part that everyone will probably break a few at some point? Maybe my expectations of hubs lasting longer are not realistic.


Ideally I want to go with some sort of manual hub so that I can dial out a front tire if I need to improve steering, since I have the Lokka in the front.
 
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04silverX

Bought an X
Location
Fort Mill SC
Auto hubs can be very weak when you beat on them esp. with a locked front end. I have used hardbody hubs and they are the beff used but keep on going.I have blown up a Warn before but we were very hard on it and the previous owner was even harder and that hub was approaching 10 years old so I wasn't complaining. I would stay away from the Rugged Ridge. I had a buddy who was there test mule in the Isuzu crowd and though they look just like the Strong Asisn Hubs they are just a cast alluminum hub and he blew it up while back up straight. And I mean BLEW it up.
 
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
Yes...that i what I hear...haven't found any yet though.

I have a spare outer hub, so I may pull off the auto hubs and inspect to see which one is shot. If I can get away with just replacing a single broken part, I will feel better than dropping 200 right now.

Looks like Lokka was not the fault here. Hubs definitely make sense given the symptoms and the history of my hubs giving me trouble.
 
granitex

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
I have had mile markers for more than a few years now, and they have held up to my abuse. All they need is some red lock tight to keep the cap screws nice and tight.
 
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
granitex said:
I have had mile markers for more than a few years now, and they have held up to my abuse. All they need is some red lock tight to keep the cap screws nice and tight.
Click to expand...

Good to know someone had a good experience with them. Realistically, I get off road 4-6 times a year...not too often and most of the time they are some power line trails or local dirt roads....nothing too crazy. I may roll the dice on them...if nothing else to bide some time
 
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