ARB Diff Locks, What is normal?

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

I would appreciate others experience with this one. I have had fitted both front and back ARB air lockers to my 120. I have changed the diff oil every 5 000 since fitting (X2) and both times the oil is full of metal particles. I understand that you should expect some but how much metal in the oil would be thought to be too much and how long before the oil will stay clean? I have not had ARB lockers before. I do know though that changing the diff oil in all my other vehicles even after quite long intervals has always felt a wast of time as it always come out clean. ( good for the chainsaw)

Thanks for your thoughts.

[buster0z Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buster0z]

I would appreciate others experience with this one. I have had fitted both front and back ARB air lockers to my 120. I have changed the diff oil every 5 000 since fitting (X2) and both times the oil is full of metal particles. I understand that you should expect some but how much metal in the oil would be thought to be too much and how long before the oil will stay clean? I have not had ARB lockers before. I do know though that changing the diff oil in all my other vehicles even after quite long intervals has always felt a wast of time as it always come out clean. ( good for the chainsaw)

Thanks for your thoughts.

Hi mate,

i dont own lockers but from previous experience it isnt a good thing for there to be metal shavings in the diff oil, having saying the lockers might need to be worn in to the diff if so bits of metal may be normal..

Cheers Tim

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

How long have they been fitted ? (In kilometers)

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

They were fitted in September before a big trip to the centre including the Simpson, about 13 000km now as a guess.

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

did they replace the diff carrier bearings, the backlash could be too tight causing the bearings to breakdown. You really shouldnt have any metal shavings in the oil.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

So that's three oil changes, including the first after 1500km. If there is still metal, back to see the gentlemen that fitted them I say. The preload on the bearings could be incorrect or the pinion backlash setting incorrect. I would be speaking to the place where you had them fitted. Time for an independent oil test place to analyze the used oil samples (front and back diff centers) compared to so nice fresh new oil of the same breed and viscosity.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Thanks Matt, I guess I needed a little information to be able to discuss with the fitter in an intelligent way and know if he is trying to put me off or not. The guy who fitted it is the nearest thing to an ARB store we have around here so I expect he will look after me. Yes new carrier bearings were fitted, thanks Croozer.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

I'm using Castrol 90 DIff oil

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

Hope you get it sorted without any hassles, Mule. It doesn't sound great. Hopefully they will support their work.

Cheers

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

When I read the heading.......
Problems including leaks is what came to my mind.
Maybe you have a problem

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

When I read the heading.......
Problems including leaks is what came to my mind.
Maybe you have a problem

The leaks were from poor fitting, the air connection inside the diff, if not correctly fitted would blow the O ring out when the air locker was swiched on. The fix was to pull the locker back out, replace the O ring, and reinstall the locker correctly. I have never had a problemwith my air lockers. The air locker will never be the cause of metal shavings in the diff oil, they are nearly always caused by bearings or gear teeth. The former caused by installer error or shoddy workmanship, the latter caused by either shoddy workmanship or gear failure. I do not believe the air locker is the problem here.

[wastegate Member Find all posts View Profile Close wastegate]

Mule, what colour is the metal? Any hint of bronze, gold or copper type colour?

Reason is there's an internal copper air line that if incorrectly fitted could contact the ring gear and over time file off metal shavings. Eventually it could lead to an air leak and ineffectual locker operation. Just pumps air into the diff which escapes from the breather.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Colour is just dark and it is sticking to the magnets, both front and back, I would say it is steel powder in the oil. As per the title I am not sure how much polishing of the faces of the cogs goes on, just have not seen it in other diff oil previously.

I phoned ARB head office who thought it sounded on the excessive side and suggested that I take it into the fitter for a further change of oil, for them to confirm the amount of metal in the oil and investigate further if they think it is warranted. I will get around to this as soon as I can find the time.

If backlash and the bearings are not set correctly would you tell from noise or whine. It is quite and as far as I can tell not excessively hot after a run.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Colour is just dark and it is sticking to the magnets, both front and back, I would say it is steel powder in the oil. As per the title I am not sure how much polishing of the faces of the cogs goes on, just have not seen it in other diff oil previously.

I phoned ARB head office who thought it sounded on the excessive side and suggested that I take it into the fitter for a further change of oil, for them to confirm the amount of metal in the oil and investigate further if they think it is warranted. I will get around to this as soon as I can find the time.

If backlash and the bearings are not set correctly would you tell from noise or whine. It is quite and as far as I can tell not excessively hot after a run.

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

If backlash and the bearings are not set correctly would you tell from noise or whine. It is quite and as far as I can tell not excessively hot after a run.

You will only get noise or whine if the bearings are shot. If they have overtightened the backlash, you will chew the bearings out and they will fail prematurely.