New Eaton Locker added to Base H3

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by ChasH3

I was told they could not hook up to the 4x4 controls... Waranty wise.. I was told that the warranty shouldn't be effected. Worse case if the locker stopped working I would have to have Eaton fix and/or provide me a new locker (Only One year warranty from Eaton on Locker). Otherwise I would have to buy a new locker....But, the labor to take out and reinstall will be covered. The warrranty will continue to cover anything else that might happen to the rear diff.... Now that said... I did not get this in writing.. But, my dealer has gone out of there way to assist me with any problems I have had with the H3.... But, having the Dealer do the install makes me more comfortable if anything does go wrong down the line....

Sewie, now about wheeling.... are you coming done at the end of April for the Borrego run????? I need to make a run up your way....

I would get that in writing. If original dealer fixes a damaged axle no problem, he will just hide the fact he installed a locker. However, if there is any type of axle damage to the shafts, seals, ring/pinion, etc on the factory setup, and another dealer attempts to repair, the dealer will probably call WINS and ask WTF axle is this with a locker.
One of the first things a dealer does is pull up vehicle history, and seeing a locker in a non-off-road package will ring some bells. WINS will reject any repair to the axle; IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. Everything else would be since GM would have no reason to say the locker damaged it. However, the dealer opening up the axle and installing a non-GM authorized part, voided out your warranty, the minute someone at GM finds out.
Believe me, if I was still in the field, and got a call from a dealer who said he had a strange axle with a locker installed and wanted to know if it was under warranty, i would say NO. Why should GM cover it, they didn't make it that way.
If the call just comes into WINS (GM warranty group) it will also be rejected, since the WINS people will probably call us to ask if this is normal. (Again, this is only if another dealer works on it and gets GM involved. If they don't, and talk to the installing dealer, all may be ok.)
Be careful, get the so-called warranty in writing. GM can still refuse to pay, but the dealer can then be held responsible.

Second word of caution: NEVER belileve a thing a dealer representative tells you, UNLESS it is obtained in writing. (Sorry dealership people, but it is the truth.)

[ETD]

So F5 what is your opinion on adding a locker to the Base Package? So far I have had good luck with "Accelerator-Brake-Modulation" and wondered whether the lockers had contributed to alot of the broken front-ends and such as people turn them off or on at an incorrect moment of traversing an obstacle. I mean I have a hard enough time balancing speed, power, gear ratios, and watching signals from spotters without having to remember to turn lockers on & off.

[f5fstop]

Rear locker is great when needed. It it not the reason the fronts breaks. The front breaks because it is aluminum and flexes too damn much. However, from reviewing some charts, the hardening of the gears has helped.

I have no problems with people having lockers installed, I just want them to be careful and understand in some cases, warranty repairs on axle components may be refused.

[ChasH3]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Rear locker is great when needed. It it not the reason the fronts breaks. The front breaks because it is aluminum and flexes too damn much. However, from reviewing some charts, the hardening of the gears has helped.

I have no problems with people having lockers installed, I just want them to be careful and understand in some cases, warranty repairs on axle components may be refused.

F5fstop.... your right about dealers saying one thing and then doing another... Hopefully I won't ever have to find out to soon.... Also, you are right.. If I took it to another dealer, they probably would charge me for any work done to the rear diff since the locker was added. The service rep did explain that to me...So you are right.. Unless I take it back to my dealer for service, I would probably have to pay out of my pocket to have it fixed.... Also to answer the question from ETD, the dealer had no problem with installing the locker even though I bought it from trail duty... Anyway, I wanted the locker and at some point I would of added it anyway....I currently have 30,000 miles and that was done in just a little over one year.... So by next March I'll have around 60,000 miles and my warranty is up at 50,000....

[ETD]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Rear locker is great when needed. It it not the reason the fronts breaks.

You misunderstood. I did not mean to imply that engaging a rear locker would directly lead to stress to and fracture of the front end. I was asking whether mis-engaging the rear-locker resulting in loss of control i.e. while coming into or out of a turn during downhill/off a rock situation could result in the stress to the front end and carnage. In other words, has any of the Base H3 broken tie rods and such?

[ChasH3]

Originally Posted by ETD

You misunderstood. I did not mean to imply that engaging a rear locker would directly lead to stress to and fracture of the front end. I was asking whether mis-engaging the rear-locker resulting in loss of control i.e. while coming into or out of a turn during downhill/off a rock situation could result in the stress to the front end and carnage. In other words, has any of the Base H3 broken tie rods and such?

ETD... I broke my tie rod abot a month ago while attemping a rock waterfall.... This was prior to having the locker...

[ETD]

Damn. Too bad. I guess I'll do the count down at Moab till mine breaks. It didn't seem that hard to change 'em on the trail at Katemcy last year...

As far as the locker, though, I am calling my dealer tomorrow to see if they can put one in. Did your dealer supply the needed bearings to install it or did you get that as well. thanks for the info.

[ChasH3]

Originally Posted by ETD

Damn. Too bad. I guess I'll do the count down at Moab till mine breaks. It didn't seem that hard to change 'em on the trail at Katemcy last year...

As far as the locker, though, I am calling my dealer tomorrow to see if they can put one in. Did your dealer supply the needed bearings to install it or did you get that as well. thanks for the info.

ETD, the dealer provided the new carrier bearings... had them in stock...