Glad everybody is ok and hope the root cause shows something solid.
Was deal thread, now TJM locker install thread
- Thread starter ih8everything
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Anyone here interested in a front locker? A buddy is willing to hook me up with a ARB package for my LX but to afford it I would need to sell the TJM front.
So, anyone grab a rear and miss the deal on the front? Shoot me a PM!
So, anyone grab a rear and miss the deal on the front? Shoot me a PM!
As of yesterday, they hadn't got a chance to look at it. Busy shop. I pretty much called twice a day and the response was they would try to get to it soon. Today I have decided to let them reach out. Nothing so far.
It's frustrating but at the same time, trying to exercise some level of patience and let them take the time to get it done and done right.
Will update once I hear something more solid.
PM'd about the locker for sale.
Update:
For now, what's obvious is that there's a broken pinion gear. John the shop owner is trying to source it but to no avail.. It's imperative that this part be available before he can further open up the whole diff and troubleshoot more on the root cause. Otherwise it would be a situation where everything is opened up, we've figured out the cause and now playing the waiting game whilst the rig is up on the hoist.
He mentioned that if it's similar to the previous case then perhaps it could be the snap-ring on the actuator that broke off and wrecked havoc. Until we can get a set of front gears (4:10) we need hang tight. After market gears are available but most start at the 4:56 ratio.
I need to check around in San Diego if any of the dealerships carry the '98 front gear set. (or if anyone can shed some light on where to find a set of factory 4:10 gear ratios that would highly be appreciated).
This car is definitely not making it to death valley this weekend. But a good friend has offered his 100 and I took him up. A little light at the end of the tunnel.
For now, what's obvious is that there's a broken pinion gear. John the shop owner is trying to source it but to no avail.. It's imperative that this part be available before he can further open up the whole diff and troubleshoot more on the root cause. Otherwise it would be a situation where everything is opened up, we've figured out the cause and now playing the waiting game whilst the rig is up on the hoist.
He mentioned that if it's similar to the previous case then perhaps it could be the snap-ring on the actuator that broke off and wrecked havoc. Until we can get a set of front gears (4:10) we need hang tight. After market gears are available but most start at the 4:56 ratio.
I need to check around in San Diego if any of the dealerships carry the '98 front gear set. (or if anyone can shed some light on where to find a set of factory 4:10 gear ratios that would highly be appreciated).
This car is definitely not making it to death valley this weekend. But a good friend has offered his 100 and I took him up. A little light at the end of the tunnel.
Am confused now. This article calls for the 4:30 ratio. Wonder if it would make a difference if I used either. Mines a '98
is there a diff/gear guide?
Tony, Now is a great opportunity to regear to 4.88's since I know you will eventually run 35's.
Got some news from the shop today. The long wait has been due to the fact that we couldn't find 4.30's readily available. Toyota discontinued this part. Just differentials and most of the big players didn't have it available and pushed for a re-gear (thanks @abuck99 for the leads). That did sound like the way to go but after giving it much much much much thought, I wasn't ready for the associated costs that came with it. There were other pro's and cons on re-gearing and I factored them all and the end result was to stick with the factory 4.30's. That said, we ended up getting the part from the east coast.
The news >> The air-locker itself was intact and showed no signs of malfunctioning as been the previous cases. What went wrong was a bunch of broken teeth. Odd as it sounds considering I wasn't even wheeling it. Also, John can't figure out why the ring and pinion broke. They are going to get new seals from Toyota and eventually put it all back together.
Glad that I will have the rig soon. The wait has been too long and painful. Realized how much I love working on and driving this vehicle.
The news >> The air-locker itself was intact and showed no signs of malfunctioning as been the previous cases. What went wrong was a bunch of broken teeth. Odd as it sounds considering I wasn't even wheeling it. Also, John can't figure out why the ring and pinion broke. They are going to get new seals from Toyota and eventually put it all back together.
Glad that I will have the rig soon. The wait has been too long and painful. Realized how much I love working on and driving this vehicle.
Well that is s***ty that your gear broke. Previous stress on the ring gear maybe? I am glad it was not another actuator problem like mine. Hopefully you get it back soon.
I wanted to report back on my locker fail. The actuator failed with in a week of install. An unfortunate deal in factory assembly of the actuator. On the air inlet side where the brass air line goes into the actuator is a round bulkhead held in place by a circlip. The bulkhead has an o-ring set into it so that it seals the air inlet side of the actuator. During assembly at TJM side, the ring got pinched against the circlip and the groove its meant to sit in. It shaved a small slice of the o-ring off and that would allow air to pass causing the actuator to leak. Sucks that a $0,50 cent o-ring improperly assembled caused a $580 repair. TJM did supply a new actuator.
I tested the locker in some tough conditions this past weekend over in the Uwharries (NC). The engagement is instantaneous and performed as expected. I think we've got this sorted, and happy the locker works well now.
Make sure to check the circlip's on the actuators at each end for proper seating before install. I ended up making a small pressure gauge to leak own test the actuator before it was installed again. This ensured the system was tight and there were no leaks.
I tested the locker in some tough conditions this past weekend over in the Uwharries (NC). The engagement is instantaneous and performed as expected. I think we've got this sorted, and happy the locker works well now.
Make sure to check the circlip's on the actuators at each end for proper seating before install. I ended up making a small pressure gauge to leak own test the actuator before it was installed again. This ensured the system was tight and there were no leaks.
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Can that actuator be inspected prior to installation... or is it a roll of the dice?
Side note: you have to lead now
Side note: you have to lead now
Can that actuator be inspected prior to installation... or is it a roll of the dice?
Side note: you have to lead now
Yes it can be tested and not a roll of the dice under normal circumstances. The actuator can be tested on its own, after being mounted in the 3rd, and after the 3rd is installed in the axle. Instructions call for it to be tested in the 3rd while on the bench. This was done, but unfortunately it took a few uses to work the damaged O-ring out of its groove, so they couldn't have caught it during install.
What the instructions don't call for is performing a leak down test, which experience now indicates is a good idea on an air actuated locker to ensure the actuator will hold air for a given period of time(...as long as possible). I made pressure tester and gave it to the tech to use to make sure we had a good seal on the bench and again after the 3rd was installed.
After going in a 2nd time to fix the actuator, the final $$ tally is that I spent $1000 to save $500 on this locker closeout deal. No net savings, which if I had it to do again I probably would have chosen a Harrop (Eaton) E-Locker-, magnetic actuated so no compressor required (saves $500+ and the install, plumbing time), or an even simpler Detroit (Eaton auto locker).
Re Side Note: Happy to take the lead, as long as you're spotting for me.
Here is a pic of the leak down tester I made- copied idea from one I saw on gearinstalls.com.
Sorry for your experience - no joy taken from your distress. As a vendor, we never talk about the competition - people or products - but we have heard similar comments from consumers that have installed various brands of air lockers. You are not alone.
Speaking of our own product, we have 300 of these units in North America and thousands sold around the world in the last eight years. No service failures and YES, electromagnetic actuation is cool.
If you get to the point that you want to go a different way, we will help get some Harrops in your rig. Just PM or call.
Speaking of our own product, we have 300 of these units in North America and thousands sold around the world in the last eight years. No service failures and YES, electromagnetic actuation is cool.
If you get to the point that you want to go a different way, we will help get some Harrops in your rig. Just PM or call.
Yes it can be tested and not a roll of the dice under normal circumstances. The actuator can be tested on its own, after being mounted in the 3rd, and after the 3rd is installed in the axle. Instructions call for it to be tested in the 3rd while on the bench. This was done, but unfortunately it took a few uses to work the damaged O-ring out of its groove, so they couldn't have caught it during install.
What the instructions don't call for is performing a leak down test, which experience now indicates is a good idea on an air actuated locker to ensure the actuator will hold air for a given period of time(...as long as possible). I made pressure tester and gave it to the tech to use to make sure we had a good seal on the bench and again after the 3rd was installed.
After going in a 2nd time to fix the actuator, the final $$ tally is that I spent $1000 to save $500 on this locker closeout deal. No net savings, which if I had it to do again I probably would have chosen a Harrop (Eaton) E-Locker-, magnetic actuated so no compressor required (saves $500+ and the install, plumbing time), or an even simpler Detroit (Eaton auto locker).
Re Side Note: Happy to take the lead, as long as you're spotting for me.
Here is a pic of the leak down tester I made- copied idea from one I saw on gearinstalls.com.
View attachment 1429813
Thank you Sir- if and when I do the front, it will be a Harrop Elocker. Our local Toyota guru (ACC) spoke very highly of Harrop E lockers and also confirmed from all of their installs- no issues to date. Harrop was his only recommendation. Wished I had consulted them ahead of my impulse to snatch what I thought was a good deal on the TJM product.
Nothing against TJM- they have been responsive and supporting through the process and locker it self is a stout piece of iron, but I do like the design simplicity of the E-locker and no air requirement.
Thanks for posting in the thread.
