issue with ARB rear air-locker
Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 22:55
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dave-345
Hi, back in May this year I had a LOT of work done on my Toyota Hilux 1998 dual cab LN167 which included the fitment of a rear air-locker, at an ARB store.
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Since the fitment of the rear locker, it sometimes does not engage, I.E when you activate the compressor and the locker, the compressed air instead of locking the rear diff it blows the compressed air out through the diff breather.
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I've now had it back to the ARB store three times in the last three weeks. They removed the diff each time and replaced the seals in the locker.
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When I took it back again today, I was told that sometimes the locking ring that slides over the spider gears, does not 'line-up" and this can cause the unit not to seal completely.
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I was told to correct this problem that I should drive a short distance forward so the locking ring can 'line-up" with the spider gears. Once it has "lined-up" the locking ring will engage and complete the seal.
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Has anyone else had a problem like this with their air-locker.
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Thanks
Dave
Reply By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:02
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:02
G’day Dave,
That sounds unacceptable to me. I have TJM Prolocker in the rear and an ARB Airlocker in the Front of my 100 series. If you need to engage diff locks then you’re most likely not going to be able to drive forward to align a locking ring and spider gears.
While unacceptable I can’t think of a solution, other than if this is common in your vehicle they should have advised you first, which should leave you in a position to demand they remove it and refund your money.
Regards,
Myles.
AnswerID:
424839
Reply By: Member - Paul F (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:06
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:06
Hello Dave,
I had both front and rear lockers put into my 120 Prado from new back in 2007. When I picked it up from ARB Coopers Plains, they took great pains among other things, to ensure I knew how to use the lockers. One of things that was drummed into me was to nudge the car forward a little when engaging and releasing the lockers. Apparently this does help engage and seal them correctly. In practice I have noticed this is the case. With just a couple of centimeters movement you hear the healthy (I hope healthy anyway) clunk that indicates a solid engagement and a slightly different sound when disengaging. I tend to be fairly gently with any of my 4*4 driving anyway and have generally found this practices works.
Hope this helps
Paul
AnswerID:
424840
Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:45
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 07:45
I have an ARB locker in the rear of my Troopy. On the odd occasion when I have engaged the locker I have heard the clunk after I start to drive off which I have accepted as the gears then meshing. I have never had air escape through the dif breather.
From what I remember of the locking mechanism the air should not escape regardless of gear meshing or not. If that were the case then the locking unit would not be getting full pressure to engage. I suggest that something is not right. Have they installed the correct unit? There was a report on another
forum (LCOOL ?) about someone having a problem causing breakage and it turned out to be the wrong version that had slightly different dimensions.
Frustrating when you have paid for a supposed proven unit.
Good luck
AnswerID:
424843
Reply By: Sea-Dog - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 10:06
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 10:06
They need to refit the seal etc inside... (if your supplier / fitter is anything like the Sunshine Coast you will probably have drama trying to get them to do anything to help you - I know I did)
Mine does the same thing as yours sometimes also but generally only needs to be switched off and then on again... usually it only happens when I don't want it to such as when the car is on a 60 degree angle going up or down a
hill and the very last thing I want to hear is the compressor running on.. grrrr
Don't get me wrong I do love having lockers with the abiltiy to switch them on and off but I have had a few issues with mine that have taken the shine off the purchase..
AnswerID:
424863
Reply By: ob - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 10:28
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 10:28
Hi Dave, I have had an ARB air locker in the rear diff of my HZJ75 for about 12 years and it has just started to leak a small amount of air through the diff breather. It probably needs new seals fitting. Air leakage and non engagement when new is not normal. I have found that engagement takes place very quickly even when bogged as generally one wheel is turning faster than the other anyway and if both are turning a diff lock is not going to help.
ob
AnswerID:
424868
Reply By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:01
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:01
Dave
You will probably find that they are not taking enough care with the seal carrier, it takes a bit of stuffing around to get it right, if time/care is not taken the seal carrier will apply excessive load to the o'rings which will wear out very quickly. Also if they did not do it correctly first up the seal carrier maybe damaged/worn and will need replacing.
You are probably better getting the instructions sheet and o'rings off them and doing it yourself.
Chris
AnswerID:
424881
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:49
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:49
In my experience ARB are generally pretty good at customer service. Unfortunately some of their dealers do not share that enthusiasm for customers.
I have also owned a vehicle that had front and rear ARB dif locks fitted and I never had a problem with either of them. This is despite the vehicle being used in competition.
If you are not happy with the performance of your ARB accessories and the dealer is not satisfying your concerns contact ARB Head Office. I am sure you will get good advice and service.
Duncs
AnswerID:
424886
Reply By: dave-345 - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 18:27
Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 18:27
Hi, thanks for everyones comments, they are very helpful. Looking at everyones comments I guess I will be taking it back for a fourth time. Just of interest today, the locker was up to it's old tricks. I did drive it forward a short distance and the locker engaged and the compressor stopped cycling.
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One again thanks for everyones comments.
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Dave
AnswerID:
424917