Locking Diff Actuator timing

[LandCruiserPhil]

Recently my rear diff quit working requiring the rebuilding of the actuator. Timing of the actuator in the past has been intimidating and confusing to some. In the past I used a VOM meter to set up the timing but this time I came up with a method that even a caveman can do it successfully.

This may not make sense if you have never done this before but once you have the actuator apart it will.

1. Use a Sharpie and mark on the edge of the housing where the contact points are located.

2. Center the actuator rod in the center of travel from lock to unlock (~2 3/8 - 2 7/8 in.)

3. Mark on the back side of the large contact gear between where the contact break spots are. They are about 120° apart on the contact side.

4. Allin the marks of the contact wheel and the housing during assembly.

5. Assembly the actuator and plug it into the harness and cycle it. Check to make sure your locked and unlock measurements are correct.

6. If you are off, pull the large contact gear slightly up and pull or push the actuator rod one tooth and recheck.

7. Once happy paint the actuator, reinstall, and extend your actuator breather line so it does not happen again.

A couple of the advantages of this method.

A. You cannot over travel or bind the actuator.

B. You do not need to have or know how to operate a VOM meter.

 

[clarkrw3]

VERY cool Phil!!! I will file this away for when i have to rebuild mine

 

[victordachille]

Hi my friend,

I had problems with my diff lock so I took it out and cleaned it. When I put it back, it works some times and some times doesn't so I think the problem is the one you're talking.

But my problem is that don't speak english so well and I can't really understand how to fix this timing problem. Can you be a little more specific? Or maybe some pictures?

Thanks so much.

 

[bwesty]

Phil,

The rear locker on my truck has been getting progressively worse. I am going to pull the actuator and take a look. I've read the FSM on the rear for both disassembly and re-assembly. The one question I have prior to digging into this is that the FSM states to lock the diff prior to removal. I did not see this in your write up. Necessary to do or not?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Phil,

The rear locker on my truck has been getting progressively worse. I am going to pull the actuator and take a look. I've read the FSM on the rear for both disassembly and re-assembly. The one question I have prior to digging into this is that the FSM states to lock the diff prior to removal. I did not see this in your write up. Necessary to do or not?

My thread is for timing not removal

Are you confusing locking the diff with removing the rear axle??

IIRC you cannot get the bolt that connects the shifting fork to the actuator rod that needs removing when locked. Most time the actuator needs removing is because it will not lock. So I dont see it problem either way.

Most important is to extend your actuator breather line to avoid moisture from getting in the actuator in the future.

 

[bwesty]

Ok, I understand. I am not removing the diff/axle just the actuator. I looked at the fsm again, I've got a better idea of the process now. Thanks.

I will be extending that breather line, I was not aware of that breather until I started looking into this actuator issue.