removing rear diff lock actuator

[mudder1983]

hello everyone, long time lurker , first time poster.

my rear differential lock is very slow to activate, and sometimes doesn't activate at all. I have read on here that it can be removed and cleaned inside to restore the functions to better performance. I am reading through the guidebook and it says that i must engage the differential lock in order to remove it. Is this necessary? If it doesn't engage half the time how am I supposed to lock it before i remove it?
Can anyone who has taken theirs off give some tips about this? Is there any special tricks to removing it or getting it back on?
Thanks.

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spressomon]

I have the same symptom with my e-locker on my 100. And its on my list of "to do's".

I think you'll find, as I do, with the rear wheels in the air (no load) on jackstands the locker engages quickly and reliably buy just engaging the switch and rotating the rear wheels by hand.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/17701-rear-locking-dif-assembly-help.html

 

[Tools R Us]

When the actuator is installed, it is spring loaded against the housing when unlocked and the gear when locked. If you attempt to install the actuator in the unlocked mode, the hole on the rod will not reach the hole in the shift fork to put the bolt in. So it is best to do the job in the locked mode, but is especially important when installing.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
I think you'll find, as I do, with the rear wheels in the air (no load) on jackstands the locker engages quickly and reliably buy just engaging the switch and rotating the rear wheels by hand.
...

In most cases, if the locker works in this mode, it will work fine on the trail. The rear locker only has 5 teeth, so can take up to a fifth of a turn of differential rotation to make it lock. This is why it is often difficult to make them lock when not needed, on the trail, when the locker is needed, wheel slip/spin makes it easy to lock.

 

[spressomon]

Kevin,
I haven't pulled my rear e-locker yet but it is quite variable, regarding the amount of time it takes to engage, on the trail; I've had a couple occasions where it never would lock up. Torque and/or vehicle speed don't seem to be factors one way or the other. Ditto for straight line or turning back/forth to enhance engagement. 188k on the rig.

But when on jack stands with the tires in the air it locks quickly and repeatedly with just a little turn of the rear wheel. For whatever reason it prefers unloaded to loaded engagement scenarios...

Dan

 

[jamie_scotland]

My rear locker doesn't engage at all. Is there a way to install a new one without locking the diff which is obviously impossible?

Jamie

 

[Frankencruiser]

My rear locker doesn't engage at all. Is there a way to install a new one without locking the diff which is obviously impossible?

Jamie

I installed mine without it locked. My locker didn't work so I had to remove it, fix it and re-install it without it locked. It worked, but it took me several tries to get the actuating rod adjusted properly. It works perfectly now so it's not impossible, just kind of difficult.

 

[mudder1983]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I got it locked today, and have the protective sheild off. Tomorrow i will try to remove the locker acutator motor. I have been having a bit of trouble getting the electrical connectors loose ( 15 years of mud and grime have had their way with all the connectors). i will post on this topic if something comes up. Thanks again.

 

[Tools R Us]

Kevin,
I haven't pulled my rear e-locker yet but it is quite variable, regarding the amount of time it takes to engage, on the trail; I've had a couple occasions where it never would lock up. Torque and/or vehicle speed don't seem to be factors one way or the other. Ditto for straight line or turning back/forth to enhance engagement. 188k on the rig.

But when on jack stands with the tires in the air it locks quickly and repeatedly with just a little turn of the rear wheel. For whatever reason it prefers unloaded to loaded engagement scenarios...

Dan

I have no experience with the 100, but the '80 requires a bit of dif action to lock. This isn't a problem when the locker is needed, when needed there is plenty of wheel spin to lock it. When it isn't needed, no wheel slip, it sometimes doesn't lock. I have engaged it, ran an obstacle, didn't have wheel slip, so didn't lock. I don't see this as a problem, it wasn't needed, if it was needed, it would have locked. As long as I know that it is working, pretty much ignore the light, it will lock if needed.

 

[Tools R Us]

My rear locker doesn't engage at all. Is there a way to install a new one without locking the diff which is obviously impossible?

Jamie

In this case, I take it apart unlocked. Using pry bar, while turning a tire manually move the shift fork to lock it, then install the repaired actuator, also in the locked position.

 

[FunkLord]

If you can't get it to lock, you can take the cover off the motor and spin it by hand.

Be warned, though. the motor may come out with the cover because of the magnets. It's a PITA to get back in and the little springs that hold the leads against the motor may pop out.
I don't recommend it, but it can be done.