G80 - Any good in 14SF?

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Gibson

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It ain't rocket science,, the "special" lubes are for "Positraction" type units, (also called "limited slip," ya know, the ones that use clutch plates that are clamped together where the shafts ride-up a ramp to apply pressure to the plates, those type diffs are not a locker, they just offer some torque bias between axle shafts, and the plates "slip" depending upon the pre-set springs which control the torque bias.
The G80, as used in the trucks is a real locker, except it uses flyweights, to control its action, so that its lock-up cannot occur at speeds greater than ~20mph or so.
It is called a "Gov-Lock", (it ain't a Posi,) and its made by Eaton, and they have been supplying GM with them as OEM equipment for many years, and it uses regular gear oil.
If you have to, pull the diff cover,, no clutch plates, no special lube.
 

Schurkey

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Gibson

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Yeah,, OK, my bad. I should have been more clear.
Yes, the 10 bolt is used on trucks, but the OPs post was about the 14 bolt.
Anyway, when you pull off the diff cover on a 10 bolt, you can see that the carrier is cut away and you can see the clutch pack.
On the 14 bolt the carrier is closed, and the interior is not visible.
The 14 bolt mechanism is diff, and operates in a diff manner.
 

evilunclegrimace

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It ain't rocket science,, the "special" lubes are for "Positraction" type units, (also called "limited slip," ya know, the ones that use clutch plates that are clamped together where the shafts ride-up a ramp to apply pressure to the plates, those type diffs are not a locker, they just offer some torque bias between axle shafts, and the plates "slip" depending upon the pre-set springs which control the torque bias.
The G80, as used in the trucks is a real locker, except it uses flyweights, to control its action, so that its lock-up cannot occur at speeds greater than ~20mph or so.
It is called a "Gov-Lock", (it ain't a Posi,) and its made by Eaton, and they have been supplying GM with them as OEM equipment for many years, and it uses regular gear oil.
If you have to, pull the diff cover,, no clutch plates, no special lube.



WRONG!!!!! the G 80 has clutch plates.
It is NOT a true locker. The clutch plates slip when the are overloaded ( that is their purpose) Also the 8.5 diff and the 9.5 diff work in exactly the same manner.
 
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jdla140

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G80's most definitely have clutch plates. They don't need additive because they don't have to slip while you turn. They are used in an on/off manner.

They are a true locker, the clutches rarely slip or wear out before something else does, but it is possible.

The purpose of friction modifier is to smooth out the slipping of the clutches, while making them grab harder when they need. For example, in my 03 Silverado quadrasteer with a normal limited slip that requires friction modifier, it has issues turning with the wrong fluid in it. The tires will chatter in reverse like a locker, especially with the rear wheels turned. Limited slip additive clears it right up. If you put limited slip additive in a g80, you may experience some clutch slipping with the locker engaged, as noted earlier in this thread.

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Here's a really good video about it's operation
 

someotherguy

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A few of y'all are nitpicking details pointlessly, to be honest. Yes there's clutches in a Gov-Loc. No it's not a posi, no it's not a limited slip, yes it is a locker. Is it a "real" locker like some other offerings? No it's not the same thing.

The OP's question was is it any good in the 9.5" 14 bolt. Many people believe it's stronger than the one used in the 10 bolt, and that's probably true.

Some have had issues with them behaving erratically but also believed the gear lube needed posi additive, which it does not, and this is proven via the GM TSB that is linked in this thread.

Richard
 

98chevy2500SS

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Thanks for all the help guys! I did try my G80 and not sure if it really works? I tried some launching in some dirt and saw than both wheels spinned but I didn't hear it make a noise at all, is that normal? Am I supposed to hear a clank? When I kinda got stuck, I went in reverse and was spinning only one tire and G80 never kicked in... weird. A bit confused. I guess I will have to try it out more in the future. I do feel it though when launching in the dirt, so much more traction, maybe it is working, hell, I don't know, it's almost got a quarter of a million miles on the odometer lol.
 

df2x4

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Unpredictable and locking when it feels like it... Yup sounds like it's working normally for a G80. :lol:

I never hear any noise from mine when they operate so I wouldn't worry about that.
 
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