Cast Iron Diff

[06 H3]

Hey guys, so I have been thinking about this upgrade to the CI diff w/ locker. I have a few questions though, is the H2 at much greater risk of breaking parts on a locked front end because GM didnt design it that way and it was an add on aftermarket addition? I have seen and heard about a few halfshafts breaking with the front locker on in an H2. I was thrilled with the performance of my H3 on John bull especially with bald tires. Most everyone (excluding the hummers) was locked front and rear. While I did get stuck in 2 spots I feel like a locker up front would have gotten me right up. Obviously I would only use the locker when needed but how much extra stress does this put on the front end? I assume it puts pressure on the steering rack as a locker makes steering tougher. I guess my main question is will using a CI diff with a front locker act as a ticking time bomb of when will I cause damage or can it be used safely? I feel the front locker would do wonders as long as I am keeping everything in one piece...

 

[cgalpha08]

Did you mean H3 in your post?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[06 H3]

Sorry i wrote that post in a hurry and wasn't too clear. My main question is if the H3 is less prone to blowing halfshafts with the front locker on compared to the H2 because GM had it come that way from the factory.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[Paladine71]

Don't know enough about the mechanics, but...

FWIW, I have front and rear Eaton E-Lockers. I only use the front lockers in extreme situations, and then only enough to get out of those situations. I always keep the front wheels straight out of fear of breaking something with the IFS. Steering is nearly impossible; the wheels straighten and stay that way with the front locker engaged. It has helped me climb out of very deep mud, where the rear one wasn't enough. In short, you sacrifice all steering and add some risk for greater capability. If I had to do it again, I would! Just be careful with it.

 

[06 H3]

thanks James, When you use it are both of your tires planted on the ground? For the rocks out in here in so cal my concern is being locked up with a tire in the air then making contact with the ground. All that force and put a lot of stress through the front end.

 

[backcountryislife]

thanks James, When you use it are both of your tires planted on the ground? For the rocks out in here in so cal my concern is being locked up with a tire in the air then making contact with the ground. All that force and put a lot of stress through the front end.

In this situation though, you're avoiding wheel-spin, which I would think would make it safer, not worse. When the tire comes into contact with the ground again, it's going the same speed as the other, so there's no shock to the axle.

That's exactly the kind of situation where it would help, and save parts imo, but when you're in contact, and you use it, then you're torquing the F diff more.

 

[Paladine71]

Almost all of my wheeling has been in the eastern woodlands, or muddy trails in the mid-west. There is some off-camber here but nothing like the rocky terrain out west. I've only used it in heavy mud, where sudden traction is unlikely. Wish I could be more help; Moab is on my list but is so damn far away...

 

[backcountryislife]

Almost all of my wheeling has been in the eastern woodlands, or muddy trails in the mid-west. There is some off-camber here but nothing like the rocky terrain out west. I've only used it in heavy mud, where sudden traction is unlikely. Wish I could be more help; Moab is on my list but is so damn far away...

It'll only get closer if you start driving... Just sayin!

Colorado is about 6 hours closer, when I fought I could make it to Bettendorf in 11.5 hrs and there's hundreds of trails within 1/2 hr of my door (dozens in 5 min)... just start driving, 12 hrs later I'll meet you at a trailhead!

 

[reaper]

Hey 06!

I've only used my front locker a few times... I upgraded it mainly to go from aluminum to cast iron, and it was cheaper (maybe?) to do it all at once when I got my lift on (and when I had the budget). Ok, mainly I got it done when I did because I had the budget to do it, and if I didn't get it done then I would have never had the funds again! I also got the "alpha" half shafts to strengthen up the front end, and keep the factory shafts for trail spares. You're really strengthening up the front end with it... imho at least... and you just have to be gentle when you do use it. Since the 3 is so much lighter than the 2 you're at a lower risk of breaking half shafts, but you still run that risk if you're going up crazy faces. But when you do that type of thing you're using rollin gwith the black sheep who are more than happy to help you fix it if it breaks!

My thoughts: 1. locked diff with stock 06 half shafts: at risk of half shaft breakage. 2. locked diff with "alpha" half shafts: less risk of breakage but it's still there, but far less than the h2, especially considering the hamster engines we're running in the 06 h3.

 

[MaxPF]

I wouldn't run a locker with an aluminum diff. As far as shaft breakage, a locker always increases the risks. The main thing is being sensible on how you drive and use the locker. I've never broken a diff or shaft, but I have seen and fixed other people's vehicles, including an H3 with a broken REAR shaft and damaged E-Locker. In the latter case, the locker damage was caused by misuse and the shaft breakage by abuse/bad driving technique.