Eaton LSD "clutches" buy the farm?
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
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From: Northern Arizona
Eaton LSD "clutches" buy the farm?
'97 F-150 2WhlDrv - 192K...
At about 140K put in an Eaton LSD - truck was in the desert off and on and this helped immensely.
After 2 1/2 yrs when turning from stop, left or right, there was a 'grinding' sound in the back (not really a 'chatter', just a grinding noise). I thought spiders or some gears being ground, had the cover off, no metal, nothing visible. Replaced the fluid (I "was" Using Amsoil Gear Lube, synthetic and their Slip Lock), sound went away for about four weeks. Then it started again. You could hear it standing outside while the truck turned (either left or right, no real difference).
Live in Los Angeles, took it to a 'known' shop and he told me, "Clutches" are gone in the Eaton. "I can get replacement ones"... I reminded him that it was an aftermarket, NOT A STOCK Ford product. Understood. $400 later the truck does NOT make the 'grinding' noise at all but I "seem" to have no LSD now?
Test? I live up a steep hill... 22% grade actually and part of the reason I put the LSD in - I put one tire on the grassy side of the road and left the other on the tarmac. In the past (with the Eaton) there was no hesitation or spinning, the right wheel made a partial turn and THEN the left took over on the road and I was moving forward. Now the truck just spins the right wheel in the grass... does not transfter anything to the left wheel (Have not tried riding the brake yet).
Lube is 'NOT' synthetic.. a GL4 type with a Motorcraft 'additive' (perhaps it is too slippery now?).
ANY IDEAS are greatly appreciated. MY concern is "wondering" if you can replace EATON clutches in an Eaton LSD with "just clutches" ?? Mechanic said he matched them to 'near' perfection at a location in Sunland, CA.
Sound Plausible? Thanks (sorry for the lengthy post). Happy New Year All!
At about 140K put in an Eaton LSD - truck was in the desert off and on and this helped immensely.
After 2 1/2 yrs when turning from stop, left or right, there was a 'grinding' sound in the back (not really a 'chatter', just a grinding noise). I thought spiders or some gears being ground, had the cover off, no metal, nothing visible. Replaced the fluid (I "was" Using Amsoil Gear Lube, synthetic and their Slip Lock), sound went away for about four weeks. Then it started again. You could hear it standing outside while the truck turned (either left or right, no real difference).
Live in Los Angeles, took it to a 'known' shop and he told me, "Clutches" are gone in the Eaton. "I can get replacement ones"... I reminded him that it was an aftermarket, NOT A STOCK Ford product. Understood. $400 later the truck does NOT make the 'grinding' noise at all but I "seem" to have no LSD now?
Test? I live up a steep hill... 22% grade actually and part of the reason I put the LSD in - I put one tire on the grassy side of the road and left the other on the tarmac. In the past (with the Eaton) there was no hesitation or spinning, the right wheel made a partial turn and THEN the left took over on the road and I was moving forward. Now the truck just spins the right wheel in the grass... does not transfter anything to the left wheel (Have not tried riding the brake yet).
Lube is 'NOT' synthetic.. a GL4 type with a Motorcraft 'additive' (perhaps it is too slippery now?).
ANY IDEAS are greatly appreciated. MY concern is "wondering" if you can replace EATON clutches in an Eaton LSD with "just clutches" ?? Mechanic said he matched them to 'near' perfection at a location in Sunland, CA.
Sound Plausible? Thanks (sorry for the lengthy post). Happy New Year All!
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
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From: Northern Arizona
Right. Many folks said that "until" I put in two SlipLocks from Amsoil... that should've stopped any noise "and" (importantly) the prior 2 1/2 yrs I ran the synth and slip lock (1) and 'never' had any issues. The "chatter" or noise was extremely loud. The 'engine' mechanic I use was backing it out of his shop one day and said (basically) "that's not just chatter, there's something wrong"...
The trans guy said he would fix it... but I'm kinda leery of the 'idea' that 'clutches' can replace 'Eaton Clutches' - that is the question. He got these from a 'rear end' shop somewhere in Sunland, CA and indicated that they were a 'near' perfect match, hehehehe. Now it doesn't work! Thanks Rodie (always appreciate YOUR input!)
Doc
The trans guy said he would fix it... but I'm kinda leery of the 'idea' that 'clutches' can replace 'Eaton Clutches' - that is the question. He got these from a 'rear end' shop somewhere in Sunland, CA and indicated that they were a 'near' perfect match, hehehehe. Now it doesn't work! Thanks Rodie (always appreciate YOUR input!)
Doc
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 153
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From: Northern Arizona
Rained in S. Cal yesterday and PROVED that the 'fix' with some "other" (than Eaton) clutches didn't work... single wheel drive, nearly spun out so used to the traction my Eaton/LSD gave prior. Dang! 
Do we have a 'listing' section where we can check for competent mechanics in a specific area? Would love to see if I can find another 'trans' guy near my home.
Take care all, Happy New Year.
Do we have a 'listing' section where we can check for competent mechanics in a specific area? Would love to see if I can find another 'trans' guy near my home.
Take care all, Happy New Year.