I was changing the rear end fluid in my new to me 2007 QC 1500 4x4. In the bottom on the magnet I saw the remains of a retaining clip. I looked and I must have gotten lucky because I can't see any other damage. Now I have a few questions I need help with.

1.) I have read of some guys just taking out the remaining clip, there are just two aren't there? Has anyone ran for very long doing this?
2.) I could take it apart and replace the clips with new ones but do the newer ones last?
3.) I know alot of guys will say put a different posi in but I don't want to spend alot right now. Any suggestions on good afordable units and where to get them?
4.) I found a Yukon online for $373 and a Dana Tracloc for $320 are these any good?

I don't go ofroading in the truck but I do pull a car trailer sometimes.

 

The tracloc (or trashloc as I call it) is what you have currently; so I wouldnt go back with that. Never heard of anyone taking the clips out (the clutch packs would have to come out as well), but I believe it would behave basically as an open diff if you did.

Cant offer an opinion on the yukon as I've never owned one. I can tell you that the detroit truetrack is the best lsd I've ever owned. No maintenance. and the guy at the rear end shop told me I'd break the axle shafts before that thing came apart.

If you do decide to take the clips out yourself (or do any work on the thing at all) a friendly warning:

Differential work is nowhere near as straight forward as it looks. There are specific tolerances that must be met for proper operation; and any mistake will have expensive consequences down the road. Thats why I don't touch them (except to change the fluid and inspect my retaining clips).

Just my .02

 

You have the "upgraded clips" that they started using in very late '05, so replacing is going to be using the same crap.

Some have gone thousands of miles with the clips removed.

If you are going to replace the LSD, do it right an put either an Auburn or TruTrac in...

 

Thanks for the replys. I found some other threads on here about the same problem.
After reading them I think I will remove the remaining clips and save up for a good LSD.

 

That's what I did jeromehdmc for over 20K without issue.
Al.

 

So I took the stock Trac-Loc apart and replaced the clips for about 12 bucks.... got it all back together and drove it for a few hundred miles... no issues... clips are still where they are supposed to be. So... the Trac-Loc with the new clips I believe would have lasted a while (given the clips didn't work their way out again and do even more damage). But I was getting some noise out of the rear diff that I didn't like so I decided to tear it down again and replace the carrier altogether... the trac-loc not having a great track record. So I got with the fellers at the big ring and pinion place and they steered me towards a new bearing kit and a Yukon Dura-Grip replacement for the Trac-Loc. Upon inspecting this new carrier from Yukon I find out that it uses the same clips that the original Trac-Loc uses.... why should I expect these in the Yukon to stay put and not break apart and damage my diff like the originals did? Any thoughts?

Truck is a 2002 Ram 1500 4.7 4WD 9.25 diff

 

I am running the Detroit TruTrac in my ram. The first time I replaced just the clips and they only lasted about 10k, so I spent the money on the TruTrac and couldn't have been happier. I have better traction than I did with the factory TracLoc. Plus with the TruTrac there are no clips or clutch packs to worry about. The TruTrac is an all around better unit and I would recommend it to anyone. I have had it in my truck for over 60k miles now, and all I have done is change the fluid. My truck has 35x12.50x20 Nitto Trail Grapplers with 20 KMC XD rockstars and I use my Tires for mud/trails all the time. I have put the TruTrac to the test and it has held up amazingly.