The Car: 1971 VW bug, 5.3l genIII, th350, approx weight: light
Use: Street driven only

http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r109/v8bug/

So I bought a third member for my 9" last summer, 3.00 gears with a factory trac-lok posi. I went through the standard gear brake in procedure (short 10 miles trips, let it cool...) I did that for about 200 miles. All the while I could tell the posi was working properly(turning on my stone driveway the inside tire would rip up the stone)

So After I was satisfied the gears were broken in, I naturally started beating on it, few burnouts here, couple there.... Well now it seems like the rear end is completely open, even shifting from 1-2 lights up the passenger tire only, with the car in park in the air I can turn the rear tire and watch the other turn the opposite direction. This third member has a total of 550 miles on it.

So I am in search of a new posi. I want it to have nice smooth operation around turns and still keep both tires engaged under load. I am steering away from a locker since I dont think it would be streetable in a light car.

So I need some idea!

thanks,

Matt

There are lots of differential configurations available, but I'll only touch on the Detroit Locker. It's all but bullet proof for most power applications and not at all like the early DL's we all knew years aso. They now, and have for a while, offer what they call their SofLok, I have one in my Nova, though heavier than your VW, I hear no clicking around corners and it definitely hooks hard.

Others will chime in here with their opinions and other options, this is only my observation and experience with the late DL's, good luck, plenty of options out there.

__________________
You can't run with the big dogs if you pee pee like a puppy...

Why don't you take it back to where you bought it and have them take a look??? Is there a warranty of any kind......500 miles and it broke? Might be something simple to fix instead of buying a complete new posi unit, just a thought.

Some posi units use special oil.Did you use the proper oil?

if it was new i agree that you should take it back to where you got it. but if you got it used, you can get a rebuild kit just for the differential. springs, clutches and the like. i think Yukon gear sells them.

Is it behind an automatic or manual? The reason I ask is that I run one in my truck (four wheeler) and I think it would be intolerable behind a manual in a hot rod with the driveline slop. Other than that, I know that they are strong, so if the car versions are different, I might consider running one.

Josh

You can get a rebuild kit for the stock posi, completeoffroad has them I believe. If you want a new aftermarket posi unit look into eaton, I don't know about the 9" but they have a very good reputation for a few other diffs I know about...

I love my detroit locker. ( lockright) i've beat on it for bout 20k kms and have only heard the " clack" sound maybe 3 times... and only one of those times was it laud. just my two pennies..

Apologies for busting in here, I've got a 158A locker being setup right now. What type of gear lube is best to run? I've never heard any recommendations for this...

Russ

All i've run is basic gear lube for my locker no additives i mean its a locker.. no clutches or anything. kinda like a KOO KOO clock... gears n springs.

I'll buy that, but there's more. There's "dino" or synthetic, 75W, 90W, 140W, or multi-vis...

Russ

Seems to me i used 90w. Do you plan on removing it much. If not maybe pop the pennies for synth. But its personal preference i would assume.