Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
had installed it wrong...see below)

The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.

Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
they will, but I'm still worried.

I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
driving is really a little scary.

I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?

Any advice.

Masnor

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Hi Marc,
Learn to never accelerate while moving around a turn. Your
Powertrax is design similar to the Detroit Locker used by the muscle
cars of the sixties that would pick the front end up and put it down in
on coming traffic. The limited slip may have been a better choice for
you: http://----------.com/differential.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Marc Masnor wrote:
>
> I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Hi Marc,
Learn to never accelerate while moving around a turn. Your
Powertrax is design similar to the Detroit Locker used by the muscle
cars of the sixties that would pick the front end up and put it down in
on coming traffic. The limited slip may have been a better choice for
you: http://----------.com/differential.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Marc Masnor wrote:
>
> I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Hi Marc,
Learn to never accelerate while moving around a turn. Your
Powertrax is design similar to the Detroit Locker used by the muscle
cars of the sixties that would pick the front end up and put it down in
on coming traffic. The limited slip may have been a better choice for
you: http://----------.com/differential.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Marc Masnor wrote:
>
> I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Just keep the rear tire pressure even... neither higher nor lower pressure
really helps in a meaningful way. The more you drive it, the less its
effects are noticeable. Understand that it unlocks much easier going around
corners if you keep the power off through a corner. If you power through a
corner it will stay locked up and you'll experience tire chirp.

Just drive and you'll soon discover through a short learning process what
minimizes the effects and what exaggerates the effects of a rear locker. It
does get better, I have had a rear auto locker (Detroit Locker) in my daily
driver TJ for 3-4 years now and it reminds me of its presence just enough to
make me grin once in a while. :)

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
"Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net> wrote in message
news:jNSYc.9397$gl.3434@okepread07...
>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that
> I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway
> drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read
> that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor
>
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Just keep the rear tire pressure even... neither higher nor lower pressure
really helps in a meaningful way. The more you drive it, the less its
effects are noticeable. Understand that it unlocks much easier going around
corners if you keep the power off through a corner. If you power through a
corner it will stay locked up and you'll experience tire chirp.

Just drive and you'll soon discover through a short learning process what
minimizes the effects and what exaggerates the effects of a rear locker. It
does get better, I have had a rear auto locker (Detroit Locker) in my daily
driver TJ for 3-4 years now and it reminds me of its presence just enough to
make me grin once in a while. :)

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
"Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net> wrote in message
news:jNSYc.9397$gl.3434@okepread07...
>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that
> I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway
> drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read
> that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor
>
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Just keep the rear tire pressure even... neither higher nor lower pressure
really helps in a meaningful way. The more you drive it, the less its
effects are noticeable. Understand that it unlocks much easier going around
corners if you keep the power off through a corner. If you power through a
corner it will stay locked up and you'll experience tire chirp.

Just drive and you'll soon discover through a short learning process what
minimizes the effects and what exaggerates the effects of a rear locker. It
does get better, I have had a rear auto locker (Detroit Locker) in my daily
driver TJ for 3-4 years now and it reminds me of its presence just enough to
make me grin once in a while. :)

Jerry

--
--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
"Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net> wrote in message
news:jNSYc.9397$gl.3434@okepread07...
>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
> installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
> had installed it wrong...see below)
>
> The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
> turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
> while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
> shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
> unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that
> I've
> spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway
> drivability.
>
> Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read
> that
> they will, but I'm still worried.
>
> I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
> and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
> I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
> driving is really a little scary.
>
> I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
> Any advice.
>
> Masnor
>
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Sounds pretty normal to me... not sure what you had encountered after
two years of research. Like Bill mentioned, some type of limited slip
(or air locker) may have been better for your application. IMO, any
type of full locker will significantly reduce highway drivability. But
it's kind of like tire size I guess... some people say 33's with stock
gears are just fine, others find that combo to not be tolerable on the
highway.

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 23:04:39 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
>installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
>had installed it wrong...see below)
>
>The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
>turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
>while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
>shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
>unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
>spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
>Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
>they will, but I'm still worried.
>
>I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
>and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
>I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
>driving is really a little scary.
>
>I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
>pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
>Any advice.
>
>Masnor
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Sounds pretty normal to me... not sure what you had encountered after
two years of research. Like Bill mentioned, some type of limited slip
(or air locker) may have been better for your application. IMO, any
type of full locker will significantly reduce highway drivability. But
it's kind of like tire size I guess... some people say 33's with stock
gears are just fine, others find that combo to not be tolerable on the
highway.

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 23:04:39 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
>installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
>had installed it wrong...see below)
>
>The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
>turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
>while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
>shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
>unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
>spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
>Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
>they will, but I'm still worried.
>
>I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
>and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
>I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
>driving is really a little scary.
>
>I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
>pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
>Any advice.
>
>Masnor
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Sounds pretty normal to me... not sure what you had encountered after
two years of research. Like Bill mentioned, some type of limited slip
(or air locker) may have been better for your application. IMO, any
type of full locker will significantly reduce highway drivability. But
it's kind of like tire size I guess... some people say 33's with stock
gears are just fine, others find that combo to not be tolerable on the
highway.

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 23:04:39 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>I had researched the Powertrax for about two years. Finally today I had it
>installed. (yeah, I should have done it myself) (although I'd feel like I
>had installed it wrong...see below)
>
>The clicking is OK. So is the clunking. However, the tire chirp while
>turning ANY street corner, tire spin while starting out from any corner
>while turning, the shifting torque steer in unexpected directions, the
>shifting rearend when slowing and speeding up at any speed, also in
>unexpected and unpredictable directions all have me VERY concerned that I've
>spend $400 for something that significantly reduces the highway drivability.
>
>Someone please tell me that these symptons will fade. A lot! I've read that
>they will, but I'm still worried.
>
>I use the TJ for my daily driver and for hunting in muddy, boggy, and dirt
>and grass hill areas. Also, I get some snow, ice, and slush driving time.
>I haven't had an opportunity to get in the woods yet, but the highway
>driving is really a little scary.
>
>I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
>pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
>
>Any advice.
>
>Masnor
>