Best locker for my 120?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Beach I didn't use the locker very much and because of that I had issues with seals failing. Oil misting and seal blowout. The locker itself is fine and not everyone has problems but I think the design difference between the Prolocker and ARB locker which keeps the seals lubricated makes the Prolocker a better item. I still have to do some more research. I was 100% convinced I wanted an elocker and the only reason it wasn't fitted was because I had a personal issue with a now defunct OL store and the quality of the work that they had done for me on the 120, most of which I redid, and I was reluctant to go back to OL without decent references.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

Any reports on how the TJM Pro locker goes in the 120's? I read good reports from all over the place.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

""personal issue with a now defunct OL store and the quality of the work that they had done for me on the 120, most of which I redid, and I was reluctant to go back to OL without decent references.""exactly why they haven't touched mine. There was some one on PP and they butchered his 150.....Cheers Steve

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

bit the bullet and booked in for an arb air locker at arb caboolture next week. got the deal with the free compressor so $1890 installed with the tyre pump up kit etc. can't wait to get out and test it!

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Beach I didn't use the locker very much and because of that I had issues with seals failing. Oil misting and seal blowout. The locker itself is fine and not everyone has problems but I think the design difference between the Prolocker and ARB locker which keeps the seals lubricated makes the Prolocker a better item. I still have to do some more research. I was 100% convinced I wanted an elocker and the only reason it wasn't fitted was because I had a personal issue with a now defunct OL store and the quality of the work that they had done for me on the 120, most of which I redid, and I was reluctant to go back to OL without decent references.

I've had several issues with ARB lockers and ARB tried to use that trick on me (locker not used enough). That's utter crap in my case because mine are used monthly, if not fortnightly! I believe that theory is nothing more than a distraction technique to hide the real problem.

The two o-rings provide an air tight seal between the flange cap assembly (diff centre) and seal housing (air supply). The flange rotates with the axle every time you drive, the seal housing does not. This places the o-rings into a highly frictional environment.

Some images to explain further:

14. Seal Housing - physically connected to the diff housing via pipe, to supply air pressure
15. O Rings - prevents diff oil from contaminating air pressure lines, and vise versa
16. Flange Cap (locker) - part of ARB's diff centre, which rotates when driving


Here's a photo of ARB's seal housing:


And the flange cap / diff centre / locker with seal housing installed:


The flange cap is basically ARB's locker / the diff centre, so it rotates within the diff casing every time you drive your car. The seal housing does not rotate because it is permanently connected to the diff case via air tubing. Every single revolution of your car's axle causes a revolution of the flange cap within that seal housing. So the o-rings are used 100% of the time whilst you drive, in any circumstance, with or without the locker engaged.

When the air locker is engaged, the seal housing does not move, the o-rings do not move, nothing changes at all, except for the existence of air pressure. In my opinion, the reason o-ring's fail in these circumstances has nothing to do with locker use, but simply from friction. The design places the o-rings into a highly frictional environment where every axle rotation is rubbing against the o-rings. It is bound to fail sooner or later, whether it be from friction/age, debris in the oil which comes into contact with the o-rings, or poor installation which damaged one of the components in the first place.

More info:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...nstall-review/
http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-a...ngineering.php

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

BTW - One of my lockers is leaking again, spraying oil into my engine bay and various components. I've had both of them fixed before, one at my cost ($400), and another at ARB's expense after I complained about it on ARB's Facebook page. These o-rings are basically maintenance items but cost too much time and money to have replaced.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Ahh thanks Glen, that makes perfect sense! I have done some more reading on the elocker and it would appear that the 'problem' I was told about probably doesn't exist anymore so I need to have a look at a demo unit. The prolocker seal arrangement looks better than the ARB system too.

Thanks

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

had the locker installed at arb caboolture yesterday, must say the guys there are good and very happy with it all.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Sorry MJ I totally forgot about getting back to you. I did chase that up on the day the suspension went in and had a look at one on his shelf. I mentioned the issue and he showed me exactly what you were referring to and to me is nothing. I do have a picture in my phone will try and upload it for you other wise will do when I get home on computer instead of phone. Your talking about not even an inch of the movement in the locker. When I put picture up may seem a bit clearer to you.. I'm still going the elocker just not sure now where I'm going to have it fitted..... Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

You can see in the picture MJ the pin that your mate is referring to. This would be the point he is referring to. I'm stuffed how your mate would have even heard or felt this lol. Looking at it again now I'm presuming the out case turns when switched on and pushes these pins down (one either side) to lock it and I suppose if your right on the point then when going back n forth I could see what your mates referring to. Looks to me it would unlock and lock but personally think this would nothing to even worry about as most of the time it would be forward motion when you require the locker not rocking back n forth in a bog hole !!! (Just my thought and opinion, havnt had a locker before) won't deter me from getting one after the dramas a lot seem to have with air lockers. Toyota should offer it as an option on all 4x4's not just bloody the kaka like they do. Use to be standard in 80 series Sahara and optional on some of the 80's but was never an option in Prado or hilux. Hope the picture helps you out sorry about forgetting to get back to you.... Cheers Steve.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Thanks Steve, I need to think about the effect of the diff ratio but off the top of my head I agree with you, no way that should be noticed.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

""I need to think about the effect of the diff ratio "" what do you mean by this MJ ???........Cheers Steve

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

""I need to think about the effect of the diff ratio "" what do you mean by this MJ ???........Cheers Steve

Yeah don't worry, brain fade. I was thinking of the pinion. Looks like that is at most 60 deg rotation. No way you would feel that with wheels spinning in mud.

[SGS Member Find all posts View Profile Close SGS]

Steve if you are near Seven Hills, you could try Total Care 4WD - I have had work done there and the staff there know their stuff AND he does supply & install the E-locker.