How fast do your lockers engage/disengage???

[sct11]

I usually like to lock up my rig when the family is in with me, right before I go up a hill. With my old Jeep (I know), and air lockers they would take a about 30 seconds at least and some back and forth movements. My beloved 80 is finicky, sometimes the rear takes a while, and just blinks approx 40yards after driving the light will be solid. The front seems to lock up quickly. Don't want to be chasing something that isn't a problem if this is what others are experiencing as well. Any tips on how to make them engage faster?

Heck, any tips on just when you lockup at all. Saw the other threads and did not want to hijack them so please tell me your experiences.

 

[jcardona1]

Mine seem to lock/unlock when turning the wheel left, and they do it within a matter of seconds.

 

[Delancy]

Mine are slow, too, and recently refreshed.

 

[akarilo]

The amount of traction you have at the time plays a factor due to a bind created on the diff. Hard pack is usually the worst.

 

[IanB]

I find slow, wide turns helps them lock in on mine.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Hit button, air pressure goes to axle, axle locks.
Works like that in any of our trucks.

 

[Joe Link]

With my lockers it depends on whether it's their first use of the trip or if I've been using them on and off for a while. The first time it usually takes a 10 feet or so of driving, and sometimes a couple feet in reverse. After that they lock quickly. Mine has 226k for reference.

 

[Brunt Force Trauma]

Hit button, air pressure goes to axle, axle locks.
Works like that in any of our trucks.

Except thier is no air pressure in an electronic locker.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Except thier is no air pressure in an electronic locker.

That's your problem right there.

Come to think of it: does someone make an air locker for the center diff?

 

[CruiseOrlando]

Mine come on within a few seconds.

When I got my rig about a year ago, they hadn't been used much (at all?). I had to play with them constantly, doing figure-8's, all kinds of tricks to get it to lock.

Now since I try and exercise them around once a month or so, they lock up very quickly.

 

[jdlsantos]

Mine engage after turn the wheels side by side (front), but rear i could say that after a few rotation different between right and left wheel, but the second time to engage are immediately most of the time

 

[TexasJack]

Except thier is no air pressure in an electronic locker.

I think that is the point. Air lockers engage immediately. It is simply how they work. Electric lockers tend to take a little longer to engage.

My CDL takes much longer to engage than my ARB air lockers so I always hit that button first.

 

[TheBigBoy]

Airlockers are instant with a small rotation of the wheel the make sure the gears mesh. They are spring loaded/air pressure. So if you have low or no air pressure they won't engage. Dis engage is the same. If its taking longer to disengage, it's the spring fighting the oil in the air line. Check diff breather, every now and then remove the line and hit the switch to clear. Or run a purge valve.

 

[Mrtwooooo]

I believe the locking collar on the front locker has more grooves for it to lock into compared to the rear making it quicker to lock. Basically the rear diff may have to have one tire turn 1/4 turn more on one side for the collar to fit into the groove on the differential case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoniaipOCdU&feature=related

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

E locker are instant if it is index when you turn the dial otherwise a wheel needs to spin and then they are instant. The way the actuator work is if the E locker is not index there is spring pressure for when it does index. My experience has been turn the dial and run your line and they will be engage when you need them.

 

[ngrich99]

I agree with Phil, they lock when they are needed. If you think you need them, turn the dial and proceed.

 

[sct11]

Awesome, that answers my question. I just need to use them more often, at least that is a great excuse to go wheeling.

 

[Tools R Us]

This BS argument still happens?

E locker are instant if it is index when you turn the dial otherwise a wheel needs to spin and then they are instant. The way the actuator work is if the E locker is not index there is spring pressure for when it does index. My experience has been turn the dial and run your line and they will be engage when you need them.

Exactly^^^

Air and electric lockers lock the same way: When switched, a spring (air or steel) applies pressure to lock, if the splines are aligned, it will lock, if not, some differential turning is needed before they lock. The front e-locker and air lockers have finer splines, so have a greater chance of being lined up or require less differential turning. The rear e-locker has 5 teeth, so depending on where they are in relationship, can require up to 20% or 1/5 of a turn of differential rotation to lock.

This is why the rear is somewhat difficult to lock when it isn't needed. On an obstacle, it doesn't matter. Lockers are needed to prevent differential action, one tire spinning faster than the other and a maximum of 1/5 of a turn is not significant. In years of wheeling e-lockers, often with air locker rigs, have never seen any difference, both are equally effective on the trail.

The lights, "look my light comes on instantly" is a BS argument. Look at how the ARB is wired, when the switch is turned on, it powers the light, so it comes on instantly, turn it off and the light goes off, instantly. It's a dumb, idiot light, tells you nothing but the switch is on, works the same way if the solenoid is unplugged or a multitude of other reasons that the locker may not be locked.

Unfortunately for some who like to obsess about it, the e-locker system gives more information: When the switch is activated, the actuator motor runs, winding the wait spring, the light blinks indicating that the locker is ready to use. When the splines line up and it fully locks, another switch is activated, turning the light on solid. When switched off, the actuator motor runs, winding the wait spring the other way, when the bind is removed, it unlocks, turning the light off.

Diff lockers are needed to prevent differential action, one tire spinning faster than the other. If the system is working properly and you are driving around with the light(s) blinking, it's because lockers are not needed, have good traction, no tire slip. If it is needed, there is any loss of traction, tire slip, it will lock, instantly.

If you want to join the "look my light comes on instantly" crowd, simply rewire the light to come on with the switch, convert it to an idiot light. But would lose the extra info.

 

[asutherland]

The front e-locker and air lockers have finer splines, so have a greater chance of being lined up or require less differential turning. The rear e-locker has 5 teeth, so depending on where they are in relationship, can require up to 20% or 1/5 of a turn of differential rotation to lock.

This is why the rear is somewhat difficult to lock when it isn't needed.

Very interesting! That's good to know, I always wondered why my rear locker took so much longer than my front.

The lights, "look my light comes on instantly" is a BS argument. Look at how the ARB is wired, when the switch is turned on, it powers the light, so it comes on instantly, turn it off and the light goes off, instantly. It's a dumb, idiot light, tells you nothing but the switch is on, works the same way if the solenoid is unplugged or a multitude of other reasons that the locker may not be locked.

Hahaha! Also great to know. I am so winning the next argument with my buddy who has ARB air lockers and complains about the speed of mine.

 

[cruisercesar]

E locker are instant if it is index when you turn the dial otherwise a wheel needs to spin and then they are instant. The way the actuator work is if the E locker is not index there is spring pressure for when it does index. My experience has been turn the dial and run your line and they will be engage when you need them.

This BS argument still happens?



Exactly^^^

Air and electric lockers lock the same way: When switched, a spring (air or steel) applies pressure to lock, if the splines are aligned, it will lock, if not, some differential turning is needed before they lock. The front e-locker and air lockers have finer splines, so have a greater chance of being lined up or require less differential turning. The rear e-locker has 5 teeth, so depending on where they are in relationship, can require up to 20% or 1/5 of a turn of differential rotation to lock.

This is why the rear is somewhat difficult to lock when it isn't needed. On an obstacle, it doesn't matter. Lockers are needed to prevent differential action, one tire spinning faster than the other and a maximum of 1/5 of a turn is not significant. In years of wheeling e-lockers, often with air locker rigs, have never seen any difference, both are equally effective on the trail.


Diff lockers are needed to prevent differential action, one tire spinning faster than the other. If the system is working properly and you are driving around with the light(s) blinking, it's because lockers are not needed, have good traction, no tire slip. If it is needed, there is any loss of traction, tire slip, it will lock, instantly.

Those 2 posts are right on the money. I never thought of it this way, but it perfectly explains the e-lockers lock - when you need them locked. Thanks.