Locked full time posi rear axles

[John Parrish]

I purchased a 3 rib bus transaxle that was pulled from a Baja Bug years ago. I was told it was a very strong and recent build but the guy didn't know the details of the build. I have recently installed it in a dune buggy with a Ford SHO motor and Kennedy adapter kit to see what I have. The axles are locked and are in full time "posi-traction". When you try to turn the rolling the buggy without the engine running it gets in a bind. It is clearly not functioning like a normal differential. Any ideas on what might have been done to lock the axles together? How to fix? Based on the schematics I've looked at, I don't see a logical way to lock the axles together. Any help?

[BFB]

what do u mean by try to turn the rolling buggy?as in its coasting or your pushing it by hand?
and are you talking about it doing this on pavement or on dirt/ gravel?
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.  
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1

[Dale M.]

[YDBD]

So one time...

Pulled the transaxle out of the blue buggy I used to own that a friend bought, he said it turns weird and chirps, both wheels rolled the same direction when jacked up.

Turns out he had a cracked axle boot and lost all the fluid in less than a year, the left cup welded itself to the differential and created posi traction. I don't have pics as it was about 18 years ago, I only remember trying to get the thing apart. I can't even think of the parts involved but there it was.
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'56 pan Dune Buggy since '69
don't live in the past...but when I did:
'67 bug
'64 baja
'60 dune buggy
'73 Personenkraftwagen Type 182 "Thing"

[John Parrish]

Thank you all for the feedback!

Both wheels roll the same direction when jacked up. When I said "rolling", I was pushing the buggy on concrete and trying to turn it as it rolled. The axles would get in a bind after only a few feet. I would then need to jack up the rear and get the tires off the ground to get it out of a bind before it would roll again.

I'm hoping to pull the motor and tear it down this weekend if time permits. I'll look for welded spider gears or blocks that lock the differential. Also check the left cup to see if it has seized to the differential. Thank you for this information!

If the spider gears are welded or I need to replace the blocks, where is the best place to source parts?

[earthquake]

Sounds like it has a "Lincoln-Locker"! you will need a new carrier and spider gears and maybe bearings.

eQ
_________________
74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
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[BFB]

I've pushed a few spooled or locked diff cars around the shop, on concrete. indoor concrete is usually slicker and more forgiving than what's outdoors and will typically let the tires slip enough to still be able to push the car. so considering how light a buggy is I'm surprised you had to use a jack , even if it was outdoor concrete.
usually the outside tire will still roll and the inside chirp and scuff as it's turning the same speed as the outside tire ( or is it visa versa ?) anyhow.. unless something is wrong and binding up? did it seem to lock up both tires and they just want to skid?
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.  
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1

[weasel_ugs]

Or maybe it has a spool in it?

Did they make spools for a VW trans?

[joemama]

Is the motor in the buggy? You say "when the motor is not running", so it turns fine with the motor running?

[BFB]

hey OP, any updates on this?
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.  
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1

[John Parrish]

Life happened and I have not had a chance to pull the motor yet. Will keep you posted. Thank you!