So I have a Detroit locker in the rear of my t100, recently I had a bearing go out and i felt the truck pull to the passenger side when off the gas.

The issue is that i heard a clunk sound as well when the truck pulled to the right.

Im trying to decide if I want the shop to just replace the passenger side bearing or open up the Diff and check out everything. (might as well replace the bearings on the other side if i do that). Its just at minimum double the cost...

SO could the clunk be from the locker ratcheting when the bearing slowed down my passenger side? or do I need to get the Diff opened up...

Experienced mechanics only please.

 

Are you talking about the axle bearing? If so it could be the reason it is doing what it is doing.

I would at least pull the diff drain plug and check the oil and magnet on the plug for excessive metal. Especially larger pieces. Super fine metallic paint looking stuff is normal. Unless a huge amount wadded up on magnet.

As far as replacing both sides.....your call. I have just done one side and the other axle bearing never failed for as long as I owned the truck.

 

Ya, axle bearing. OK thanks. I'll find out Monday more about what's going on.

 

You can do one side and be fine. But generally speaking you do work like this in pairs. The thinking behind this is that if one side fails... how soon before the other?

 

ya Thats another dilemma. Hopefully It will last 3 months. Then I can get the other one done.

 

yes, the locker could be locking/unlocking on that axle side... note that the right-hand turns tend to be tighter than left-hand turns, so it could be noisier when going right.

I've had detroits on both my Toyota and a chevy 3/4 ton truck... they can be cranky, and ill-tempered, and yes, mine pulls to the right on occasion.

 

So i remembered i replaced the axle seal on the other side recently and the bearing... and this ended up just being the bearing and seal. lucky me, just got back from a trip the rear end is doing great.