Air locker oil blowback

Submitted: Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:39

ThreadID: 16083 Views:2931 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

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Utemad

Hi all,

My brother has an ARB air locker in his 45 series. It gets oil blown back through the air line. I have read that this is caused by a rubber o-ring or seal of some kind needing replacing.

My questions are- can this be replaced easily? How can it be done? Tools needed?

Thanks.

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Reply By: Member Eric - Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:56

Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:56

common problem in Toyos , best to remove the locker and tale it back to ARB , they do a cheap repair & you know its done right. Also make sure you upgrade the breathers so it dosnt happen again . If its the old style locker , this can stop the locker disingaging, the new desighn has a heavier spring that can disingage the locker if oil goes up the air line .

AnswerID: 75428

Follow Up By: Utemad - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:51

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:51

Thanks Eric. He hasn't said he hasn't been able to disengage but it doesn't get much use. I'll check for operation.

FollowupID: 335186

Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 23:32

Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 23:32

I had the same thing happen on my GU too. Overcame it by regularly turning on the locker for 5 minutes. I have part time 4x4, so can do this at any time while driving in 2 wheel drive without affecting steering as long as front hubs aren't locked in. Seems to have stopped it from happening. I've never had any problem with the locker not disengaging.

AnswerID: 75434

Follow Up By: Utemad - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:56

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:56

Good idea to turn it on/off regularly. You at least will know that it will work when you need it. His is the rear though so maybe on a very straight bit of dirt road or when stopped.

Thanks.

FollowupID: 335189

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 22:37

Saturday, Oct 02, 2004 at 22:37

From the ARB operating instructions:

"There are a number of rubber seals in the air locker and if not operated for some time they can dry out causing them to lose there ability to seal. Therefore the air locker must be cycled occasionally to maintain proper lubrication"

Yep, sounds fair enough to me

Also from the operating insructions:

"Do not engage the front air locker whilst in two wheel drive"

Dunno about that one ?

FollowupID: 338109

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:53

Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:53

My front locker was blowing back oil also. After following Roachies suggestion it now appears to be ok. The ute had been sitting around for a number of months with no use so I ran around with the hubs locked for a couple of days to splash some oil around and switched the locker on for brief periods when I could. No more blow back...thanks Roachie

FollowupID: 338136

Reply By: Member - NewMan (VIC) - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:42

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:42

Utemad

Had the same problem with my 80 Series. I just took it back to ARB and they fixed it straight away. It seems that the orig diff breathers get blocked so while I was there had them fit extensions.

Great service from Richmond ARB. (no association with them).

Tony

AnswerID: 75456

Follow Up By: Utemad - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:53

Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:53

Sounds like he will have to return his too. However his is out of warranty I think. Been about 3 years. Has been doing this oil thing for about 2 of those though.

I'll check his breathers.

Thanks.

FollowupID: 335187

Reply By: rock hoper - Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 09:58

Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 09:58

i had the same problem with the air i sold that where of the same brand of yours..
so i desided to starts making my own air locker .................................. .........-.The air locker developed by L.C.4 X4 has an Pneumatic air ram that locks and unlocks the differential.
This is assisted by a spring that holds the locked differential in the unlocked mode and also assists in faster unlocking.

Other brands of differential locks use inferior "O" ring technology to engage the locking mechanism.
When in the locked position,they rely on no pressure too unlock the differential.As they do not have the patented L.C.4X4 "spring technology" there can be delays of up to one minute in the unlocking procedure
This can cause loss of steering and result in broken constant velocity shafts as well as personal injury.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROBLEMS WITH OTHER BRANDS.
1. LEAKING "O" RINGS.
2.THIS CAUSES THE DIFFERENTIAL AIRLINE TOO ACT AS A BREATHER,RESULTING IN LOSS OF OIL.RESULT.DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE.
3.AS OTHER BRANDS DO NOT UNLOCK IMMEDIATELY UNTIL ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, IT WILL STAY LOCKED,SOMETIMES FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD.
4.L.C.4X4 ARE AT THE LEADING EDGE OF TECNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND AS SUCH HAVE MANY MORE PRODUCTS COMING TO YOU SOON.

i only posted this due to the large numbers of people that had problems with there
lockers. and sorry if i upset any business or members.
yes i am a business and will be advertising on this site soon ..
i hope i helped solve your problems . and have a good week end...

AnswerID: 76086

Follow Up By: Utemad - Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 10:24

Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 10:24

I thought I read somewhere that the ARB air locker had been revised and now had a spring to help release the locker. Like you have mentioned in yours?

FollowupID: 335912

Follow Up By: rock hoper - Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 10:32

Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 10:32

i do't know if they have try to copy mine .
but by the sound of it people are not happy with there products .. products i build are also fitted to my own 4x4 ..
and i don't fit crap to my 4x4 .
if you know of any 4x4 products that don't perform to your needs .
post your problems so other people know .
thanks for your time .

FollowupID: 335916