Eaton Detroit Locker Differential 30 Spline 1.55in Axle Shaft Diameter Rear 11.5in
Owners of 2001-and-later Chevy and GMC 2500HD and 3500HD pickups, and 2003-and-later Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, shop for the Detroit Locker 250SL195A when an open rear differential keeps stranding a loaded truck, or when a broken factory carrier has to be replaced anyway. It is Eaton's automatic locker for the American Axle 11.5 inch rear, sized for the stock 30-spline shafts with a 1.55 inch diameter, and it works with every gear ratio.
The 11.5 AAM arrived in Ram heavy-duty trucks for 2003 to replace the Dana 80, and it sits under GM HD pickups from 2001. In stock form most of these axles are open, so the tire with the least grip decides how hard the truck can pull. The Detroit Locker swaps spider gears for a spider assembly, two driven clutches with face teeth and a holdout ring. With power applied both driven clutches stay locked to the spider and the axle shafts turn together. When the outside tire has to travel farther in a turn, its driven clutch cams out and freewheels, then re-engages as the speeds match. There are no friction plates to wear out, which is why Eaton describes it as maintenance free, and it locks in forward and reverse.
Do not identify the axle by its 14-bolt cover alone; the GM 14-bolt 10.5 looks similar and takes a different locker. Read the axle tag, check the ring gear diameter if the tag is gone, and count splines on the shafts if they have ever been replaced. Our 14-bolt vs AAM 11.5 guide covers the differences, and the AAM 11.5 problems and rebuild cost guide covers pinion and carrier bearing wear. Not sure a locker is right for a daily driver? Detroit Locker vs Truetrac explains the trade-off.
Eaton lists the 250SL195A as an 11.5 inch rear locker with 30 axle splines, 1.55 inch shafts and no carrier break. Revolution Gear and Axle lists it for 2001-2015 Chevrolet 2500 and 3500 and 2003-2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 with the AAM 11.50 rear. Eaton's own vehicle list is shorter, so treat any year range as a guide, and note that some later Ram 3500 trucks use larger AAM axles. Send us your year and VIN if in doubt. The 10.5 inch 14-bolt version is the Detroit Locker 225S10, and Yukon's alternative for this axle is the Grizzly Locker YGLGM11.5-30.
The rear axle on these trucks is full floating, so the shafts come out after removing the flange bolts at the hubs. Move your ring gear to the Detroit case using new ring gear bolts, which retailers note are not included, and torque them to the gear maker's spec. Press on new carrier bearings; the USA Standard master overhaul kit for 2010-and-earlier 11.5 axles includes them along with pinion bearings and seals. If the truck needs new gears too, the Revolution 11.5 4.10 ring and pinion is a common towing ratio. Recheck backlash and pattern with the new case. Fill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil; since there are no clutch plates, friction modifier is not part of the recipe. Drivers notice some ratcheting in parking-lot turns and a slight tendency to push on slick roads with a single-rear-wheel truck; dually trucks hide it well. See all carriers in our hard parts category.
| Brand | Eaton |
| Part number | 250SL195A |
| Fits | Eaton Detroit Locker Differential 30 Spline 1.55in Axle Shaft Diameter Rear 11.5in |
| Type | Differentials |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Yes. Eaton lists no carrier break for this unit, so it accepts all AAM 11.5 ring and pinion ratios.
Retail listings note the 12 ring gear bolts are not included. Buy new bolts rather than reusing stretched ones.
No. The 14-bolt 10.5 needs the Detroit Locker 225S10. Read the axle tag to confirm which axle you have.
No. It has no clutch plates. Use a GL-5 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil.
Expect clicking in tight, slow turns and some push on slick pavement with a single-rear-wheel truck. Under load it keeps both rear tires driving, which is the point.
