Diff lock actuator noise

[GarlicSnake]

I just finished replacing the pinion bearings in the rear axle. That went fine, but after getting it all together, now I hear a loud noise when locking and unlocking the diff. Any guess what's going on? I did notice when I put the lock actuator back in that the shaft bolt didn't quite line up so I had to force it a bit.

 

[ppc]

Just a guess... There are limit switches inside the actuator that interrupt the power when the mechanism reaches the proper position. It sounds like the switch isn't cleanly cutting the power.

Have you driven it yet or rotated the wheels?

 

[GarlicSnake]

Just a guess... There are limit switches inside the actuator that interrupt the power when the mechanism reaches the proper position. It sounds like the switch isn't cleanly cutting the power.

Have you driven it yet or rotated the wheels?

Yes, I jacked up the rear wheels and confirmed that it locks and unlocks. And I have driven it. Everything works, it’s just really noisy.

 

[ppc]

I would redo the installation of the actuator and see what happens.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I would redo the installation of the actuator and see what happens.

I agree. They are fairly simple. Pull it out recheck everything and see how it goes.

Lock it before removal.

 

[GarlicSnake]

It's fixed! I took the diff lock actuator apart and found that two of the magnets were loose and rubbing on the motor, so that is what was causing the noise. I glued them back in with JB Weld epoxy, put it all back together and it works with no noise again! When I removed the actuator a few weeks ago, I tapped it with a hammer and brass punch to break it loose from the 3rd member (as suggested in the FSM). I'm guessing when I did that I also broke the magnets loose. I'm amazed that after all of these years the inside of that diff lock actuator still looked new.

 

[JeepinPete]

Count yourself lucky! Mine looked like it was sitting at the bottom of the ocean for the decade