ARB Air Lockers

[Angelo]

I finally found a place to test out my 4 wheel drive for the first time. Had great fun in the rain and mud yesterday but also ran into a problem.
I purchased my FJ-45 with an ARB Air Locker system already installed in it. But when I engage the system I loose the ability to steer. Does anyone have any info that can help me figure out how to make this work?
Thanks in advance.

Angelo

 

[Gappy]

What do you mean by lose the ability to steer? Harder to steer or can't steer at all?
With the front axle locked it will always be more difficult to steer. Only way around that is dont lock the front.

 

[76 Land Bruiser]

that sucks, I was thinking about getting them for mine. if you don't have PS it will be very difficult to turn without rolling forward or backwards.

 

[Angelo]

Gappy. I loose the ability to turn the steering wheel, can't steer at all.
but it didn't happen right away. when I first engaged the system it was hard to turn the wheel to the right. as it got harder my PS whould squeel, then it got too hard to turn the wheel so I disengaged the system and took it home.
Today I ran it through it's paces in a paved lot. everything worked fine in 4 wheel high and low, but when I engaged the air lockers I was not able to turn the wheel at all. since the system needs to have the front engaged to engage the rear I can not use the system at all, till I figure something out.

 

[chevurai]

Lockers make the axle behave like a solid shaft, the inside and outside wheel turn at the same rate and in turns the truck wants to go straight. In the locked position plan ahead for turns while on the trail, or (the beauty of ARBs) push the button and unlock the front axle during the turn. You can get a limited slip differential that somewhat compensates for this behavior but at the expense of reduced pulling power at that axle.

 

[Angelo]

chevurai,
it takes a while once the system is disengaged for the steering to come back.

 

[Angelo]

it seems, via ARB Tech, that my system is backwards.
So I have some work to do
I'm going to have my SP serviced and see where I stand after.
I appreciate the input.
Thank you guys

Angelo

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Think it is hard with PS try it without.

I became well versed in lockers after i installed my first one back in the day ( mid 80's ) and then was told to go get used to it while driving around. Was told while in parking lot turn front wheels sharp in a turn and then give it gas and see what happens. I Learned real fast why i did it in a parking lot. This was with a Detroit locker in the rear of a cruiser that had a V8 in it, and 35 inch swampers.

 

[Poser]

Switch/swap the solenoid connections at the compressor.

 

[BrianSanDiego]

...as it got harder my PS whould squeel, then it got too hard to turn the wheel...

Maybe your power steering belt is loose? The belt doesn't slip until you add the extra load of the locked axle and then you can't steer?
... just an idea...

 

[bsevans]

Gappy. I loose the ability to turn the steering wheel, can't steer at all.
but it didn't happen right away. when I first engaged the system it was hard to turn the wheel to the right. as it got harder my PS whould squeel, then it got too hard to turn the wheel so I disengaged the system and took it home.
Today I ran it through it's paces in a paved lot. everything worked fine in 4 wheel high and low, but when I engaged the air lockers I was not able to turn the wheel at all. since the system needs to have the front engaged to engage the rear I can not use the system at all, till I figure something out.

You've got that backwards. The rear locker has to be engaged inorder to lock the front. If in fact it is as you stated then the setup is wrong.

 

[Angelo]

Maybe your power steering belt is loose? The belt doesn't slip until you add the extra load of the locked axle and then you can't steer?
... just an idea...

Brian, will check the belt, thanks.

You've got that backwards. The rear locker has to be engaged inorder to lock the front. If in fact it is as you stated then the setup is wrong.

Yes, already remidyed that probelm. thanks 'b'.

 

[zags]

Today I ran it through it's paces in a paved lot. everything worked fine in 4 wheel high and low, but when I engaged the air lockers I was not able to turn the wheel at all. since the system needs to have the front engaged to engage the rear I can not use the system at all, till I figure something out.

NEVER USE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ON PAVEMENT! You will bind up the driveline and can break stuff!
It seems odd that the front and rear lockers do not have separate switches for independent use. You need to get it set up that way. In a situation where you can't steer with the front ARB on, you'll be able to just turn it off.
I personally rarely turn on my front locker in my trail rig unless I could not get past a spot in the trail without it on. A rear locker only will get you through a lot. Front lockers are very hard on front end parts, axles, hubs and birfields.

 

[LRChops]

You should have independent front and rear ARB lockers. I only use them for the moment they are needed, then shut them off. Sometimes I only use the rear. ARB's work great if used right!

 

[bsevans]

You should have independent front and rear ARB lockers. I only use them for the moment they are needed, then shut them off. Sometimes I only use the rear. ARB's work great if used right!

I have a switch for the front and rear lockers. The front switch does not operate unless the rear is already engaged. That is the way the ARB wiring harness is setup.
With the front engaged the steering requires more effort as one would expect when both wheels are turning in unison at the same rpm. One wheel has to slip on the surface to compensate for the difference in turn radius. This is why you do not want to engage the front on a dry hard surface.
I leave the rear engaged while I only use the front when I need it.