Normal? Slop in air locker diff

[Ohthetrees]

Hello, over the winter I had TJM locking diffs installed. I've used them several times, they lock up quickly, and I like them so far.

I'm just wondering if this amount of "slop" is normal. Locked up, both wheels off the ground, when I turn one wheel by hand, reversing direction, it takes several degrees of turn before the other wheel "catches up". Video below or make what I'm talking about clear.



I'm guessing this is normal, but I'd just like to be reassured. Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[Bardiya]

I'm just guessing that it's normal.
Diff locks are usually things that either work or don't.

 

[Ohthetrees]

Thanks for your input. I know a lot of work goes into setting lash and getting the teeth to engage just right. I'm assuming all is well, but thought I'd ask the hive mind anyway, just in case this is an early sign that it wasn't set up correctly.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Looks normal to good to me. You're taking the slack from the t-case, driveshaft, ring and pinion, side gears, axle shaft splines, etc.
I think I have quite a bit more slop in my factory e-locked rear at 230,000mi than that.
If you're concerned about set up then you'll want to "feel" just the slop in the ring and pinion, to do that disconnect the driveshaft and turn the input flange back and forth and feel for the pinion teeth contacting the ring gear teeth, that slop should be very very low.

If you try the same test on the front and you'll likely have a bit more slop due to the cv's and extra set of splines.

 

[Greenbean]

I would secure the vehicle and put the transfer case in neutral and see if the slop lessens.

Would be neat to see an ARB locked demo like this, wonder if it's different?

 

[Ohthetrees]

Thanks for the advice guys.