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

"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.
>

You will become accustomed to these traits.

Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
assure you.




> 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with two
of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my Jeep
change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am very
comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.



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

Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
stock-car pilot.

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

"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.
>

You will become accustomed to these traits.

Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
assure you.




> 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with two
of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my Jeep
change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am very
comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.



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

Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
stock-car pilot.

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

"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.
>

You will become accustomed to these traits.

Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
assure you.




> 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with two
of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my Jeep
change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am very
comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.



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

Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
stock-car pilot.

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

You not only want to keep the rear tire pressure at the same psi but also
the same tread depth. If you blow a rear tire you want to make sure to take
one off the front (that closest matches wear, tread depth) and put the spare
on the front.
Nick

"CRWLR" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:10j9ci09qioutad@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "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.
> >
>
> You will become accustomed to these traits.
>
> Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
> spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
> obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
> assure you.
>
>
>
>
> > 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
> concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
> had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with
two
> of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my
Jeep
> change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
> next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am
very
> comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
> equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.
>
>
>
> > I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> > pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
> >
>
> Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
> mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
> stock-car pilot.
>
>

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

You not only want to keep the rear tire pressure at the same psi but also
the same tread depth. If you blow a rear tire you want to make sure to take
one off the front (that closest matches wear, tread depth) and put the spare
on the front.
Nick

"CRWLR" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:10j9ci09qioutad@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "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.
> >
>
> You will become accustomed to these traits.
>
> Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
> spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
> obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
> assure you.
>
>
>
>
> > 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
> concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
> had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with
two
> of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my
Jeep
> change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
> next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am
very
> comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
> equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.
>
>
>
> > I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> > pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
> >
>
> Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
> mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
> stock-car pilot.
>
>

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

You not only want to keep the rear tire pressure at the same psi but also
the same tread depth. If you blow a rear tire you want to make sure to take
one off the front (that closest matches wear, tread depth) and put the spare
on the front.
Nick

"CRWLR" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:10j9ci09qioutad@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "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.
> >
>
> You will become accustomed to these traits.
>
> Do this, go out on a trail that is a real bitch, one that formerly had you
> spinning tires on opposite corners. Notice how easily you negotiate the
> obsticle now. The traits you describe will be a reasonable trade-off, I
> assure you.
>
>
>
>
> > 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 have to disagree here. It isn't the highway driving that causes you
> concerns, its the street driving. You will get used to it very quickly. I
> had NEVER even heard of a locker before I bought my CJ, and it came with
two
> of them already installed. It was a bit un-nerving at first to have my
Jeep
> change lanes on its own, and the time the people in the convertable in the
> next lane ducked when the locker unlocked still makes me chuckle. I am
very
> comfortable in any car that is on the road, and mastering the locker
> equipped CJ5 took just a few hours.
>
>
>
> > I read that uniform tire pressure is very important. Is uniform higher
> > pressure or lower more helpful with reducing torque steer?
> >
>
> Use the gas pedal with less gusto. Roll the gas on and off instead of
> mashing at the pedal. The driving technique is more like a chauffer than a
> stock-car pilot.
>
>

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

Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
happen now...(below)

When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil

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

Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
happen now...(below)

When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil

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

Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
happen now...(below)

When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil

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

Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.

Dave

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
>happen now...(below)
>
>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.