When LT230 go bad

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Do they wear out/fail in the locked mode? Mine is not isn’t always unlocking any more.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
I'm assuming you changed the gear oil and ran it thru a filter to see what particulates were in it?
 

1of40

Well-known member
I’d give Bill at GBR a call. He’s probably got more real experience than most. I have not heard of Detroit’s going bad alone.
 

Maine57S1

Well-known member
or they just go boom.
11148
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Bills on my speed dial now. Repairs aren't worth it according to him. I'm going to drain and refill. Let's see if that makes any difference
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Nope nada no good. dropping it off at BDR. Setting up diffs is beyond me. It's going to be a teardown and rebuild....
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
Is this just out of the blue or did you have an axle shaft break? Detroits almost always break if you have a shaft break. In my experience, once you replace the broken shaft, you lose all drive out of the rear diff.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
I’ve broken 2 rear shafts in Moab, wheel often with a 2000lb trailer and am still on my rear Detroit 18 years later... i Have had similar experiences with friends with Detroit’s, so from my seat watching nearly a dozen axle breaks with Detroit’s, I have the opposite experience— they have been wonderful. I’m NOT saying that they don’t break, they do, but I’d take exception to the statement that they almost always break when you lose an axle shaft. That hasn’t born out to be true. However, I would agree that when you do break a Detroit (on those rare experiences), it usually has an axle break associated with it. the Least reliable diff I have seen on trails has been the ARB— typically associated with actuation issues. I love my Detroit and I’m putting another in the Salisbury I’m building.
 

1of40

Well-known member
I’ve broken 2 rear shafts in Moab, wheel often with a 2000lb trailer and am still on my rear Detroit 18 years later... i Have had similar experiences with friends with Detroit’s, so from my seat watching nearly a dozen axle breaks with Detroit’s, I have the opposite experience— they have been wonderful. I’m NOT saying that they don’t break, they do, but I’d take exception to the statement that they almost always break when you lose an axle shaft. That hasn’t born out to be true. However, I would agree that when you do break a Detroit (on those rare experiences), it usually has an axle break associated with it. the Least reliable diff I have seen on trails has been the ARB— typically associated with actuation issues. I love my Detroit and I’m putting another in the Salisbury I’m building.
And I’d add how One drives and where One drives is a factor as well as wheel and tire size. Playing Rock-Buggy on 35’s is going to rightly result in limping home on occasion.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I broke both rear shafts in my wife's D1 with 33" all terrains on a loose dry dirt climb. It destroyed the Detroit internally.

 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
From the Eaton Detroit locker FAQ
...that is not saying if you break an axle, you’ll break the diff. it’s saying if you do break a diff, it’s usually the result of breaking an axle. I agree, and said so. (I said “However, I would agree that when you do break a Detroit (on those rare experiences), it usually has an axle break associated with it.” But that is not the same as saying if you break an axle you’ll break the diff.

I flush mine every year, all my diffs. I’ve never had one lock up so I’d start with that. Maybe it has some sludge built up. Personally I’d drain it with both wheels jacked up and with a buddy and spin, twist and rotate the tires while off the ground and check it’s operation before you do anything else. But let us know what the shop says! Maybe the diff cracked and is jamming somehow. Best of luck!
 

1of40

Well-known member
I can remember talking to Bill at GBR back in early 2001 when I was trying to decide with locker to select. He said at the time that as far as lockers were concerned Detroit has more install in a global basis than any other locker. That made a lot of sense to me at the time. They are not perfect in all conditions. I’m not a fan of the side-winding they will do in slippery off-camber conditions. Lockers in general are a weak link in the chain however and I keep that in mind.
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
The detroit breaking depends on the carrier its in. I have broken axles attached to detroits but they were non Rover carriers. A detroit in a Salisbury is an amazing traction aid, especially in a 130. I've seemingly broken everything but a Detroit.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Well.... The Detroit looked good.
What do you think of these images? The front CV joints looked good...so down came the Lt230.....and opening it up.....we got this....
 

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MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
My vote would be an ATB :). I’ve wanted to install one for a while. Are you just running one locker? Diff on ground is open...
 
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