How to test ARB Rear Air lockers ??

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

Guys,

I used to hear a distinctive noise when the lockers are engaging. But now I can't hear anything when I switch on the lockers. Compressor itself is working fine. Just wondering what's the easiest way to test the rear lockers?

Cheers!!

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Jack one rear wheel up and try to turn it by hand. If it wont turn I reckon its engaged

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

There should not be any noise except for the compressor (untill the air pressure is correct) when the air lockers are engaged.

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

Jack one rear wheel up and try to turn it by hand. If it wont turn I reckon its engaged

I'll give this a try tonight.

There should not be any noise except for the compressor (untill the air pressure is correct) when the air lockers are engaged.

croozza I'm sure I heard a noise when it's engaging before. And you could hear it clearly inside the cabin.
I thought it's meant to do that!!

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

Found these steps to test the air lockers, posted on another forum (US).
Just putting out there for anyone looking in the future

To test that your air system, electrical system, and your Air Locker
differential is functioning correctly:

• Support the vehicle such that the wheels are free to rotate (e.g., on axle stands, a chassis hoist, etc.)

• Leave the parking brake off, the transmission in neutral, and the Air Locker switch ‘OFF’.

• Turn the ignition to the ‘ON’ position (leaving the motor off). The large illuminating symbol on the Air Locker switch cover should be ‘OFF’.

• Turn the compressor (or alternate air source) on to charge the air supply up to its maximum pressure.

• Rotate one wheel by hand.

• The wheel should rotate freely and the opposite wheel should be turning in the opposite direction without any resistance or mechanical noise from within the differential.

• Turn the Air Locker switch to the ‘ON’ position. The illuminated symbol on the switch cover should light up.

• Rotate the same wheel again.

• Both wheels should rotate together.

• Turn the switch off again.

• Rotate the same wheel.

• The wheels should again rotate in opposite directions.

Hope this'll help someone!!

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

•The wheel should rotate freely and the opposite wheel should be turning in the opposite direction without any resistance or mechanical noise from within the differential.

or both the same way if its an l.s.d.................

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33pPBj5sr0M
In this video you can plainly see the seal housing assembly and those two seals there. That's where you get most of the problems with these units, the seals that is. I have to state that ARB usually repairs this problem free of charge.
The Eaton E Lockers don't have this problem because the mechanism is electronic and magnetic. No compressor to worry about either.
The Roo.

id go the eaton if i needed a locker!

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

Thanks Roo !! Have seen that video on TV but didn't pay much attention.
I'll post the result of my test soon.

id go the eaton if i needed a locker!

I don't mind the compressor if the damn locker is working!!
In fact i wanted it

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

Drive on to sand, dig a hole for diagonally opposite tyres (eg, front right, left rear) in front of vehicle, drive in to it so it lifts the a front and rear wheel off the ground. You should now be "stuck" (and cursing yourself for choosing a crap line ). Engage air locker and drive out.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

I'll give this a try tonight.



croozza I'm sure I heard a noise when it's engaging before. And you could hear it clearly inside the cabin.
I thought it's meant to do that!!

The diffs, and air locker mechanisim should not be making any noise, wether the lockers are engaged or not, and the same goes for engaging or disengaging.

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

I can test it for you. You've got a winch right?

[jimmy91 Member Find all posts View Profile Close jimmy91]

go to arb and make them test it. saves you stuffing around

[slackdog Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slackdog]

Engage the locker and drive it a short distance ....Do a u turn and it will be pretty obvious ...There also should be no noise at all when engaging.
Also the compressor should not run continuous whilst engaged , if it does you have an air leak somewhere.
In a dual system the front locker will not work unless the rear is on

Rob

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

id go the eaton if i needed a locker!

cheers for the advice.... butane

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

Thanks for all the tips fellows!!
Did the test yesterday and it seems to be engaging but not disengaging. I'm going to ARB Dandy to check this out this afternoon.