ARB Differential Locks.

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

Didn't I read somewhere that they've got a new one out now? Hopefully they've fixed that issue.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I believe the back story on that particular locker was that it ended up being a Chinese copy.

[Bear63 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear63]

O rings running at that sort of pressure? did i read that correct ? wouldn't the seals you use in rams etc be a better option

[Guest Close Guest]

Food for thought.

As you say everything in that article is true...

Did anyone read to the bit where this was obviously posted by a very angry OP who had a beef to pick with ARB?

And the clanger,, it appears he had a counterfeit Chinese copy of an ARB diff lock.. NOT. A genuine ARB locker...

Quote ARB.. "Our genuine Air Lockers have had serial numbers imprinted on them for decades in order for us to easily track and identify the different models. We are aware of many counterfeit products being manufactured overseas that don't carry these identifying features and unfortunately, in our experience, these counterfeits use poor quality seals and inaccurate parts, which can lead to some of the issues you've described. The seals in our genuine Air Lockers, when correctly installed, should last the life of the vehicle. "

Seems the OP may have been giving ARB a not so fair write up...

As I say, just cause its on the interweb doesn't mean it's true..

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

Piggy the OP goes on to say later that it was a genuine ARB locker and not a fake. I had the seal issue with an older ARB locker many years ago. I think the OP was over the top in his condemnation but having said that I will be looking to go E locker or TJM Pro locker even with the ARB locker and the new seal style.

[Guest Close Guest]

My 2c..

I have run 4 vehicles (at once) with ARB air lockers, these where long term heavy use service vehicles on road 5-6 days a week minimum..
Averaging 100,000 Kms a year. One did 160k one year between two techs. all ran ARB diff lockers in the rear axles. Used lockers maybe 2-3 times a month, one alone was in an area for 3 months and was used daily for 4 hours minimum ( Koolymilka) during the winter and heavy rains.

Not one failed or played up..

Whilst all those vehicles have been moved on, I still see one regularly as I know the new owner, I even went in it recently.. That diff lock is still working without being looked at for well over 8 years now.. It's on a farm now and gets used over winter.

My experience.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

I had front and rear ARB air lockers in my Prado and got tired of wasting time taking it back to ARB to have the seals replaced under warranty. ARB were always happy to do the warranty work but it was a stuff around I didn't need. When I changed to the cruiser I had e-lockers fitted.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

John,

There was an issue with the front locker when it was first installed. There was not enough end float on the driver side axle where the spline fits into the diff. Once that issue was remedied the e-lockers have performed faultlessly. I think Eaton could provide and better sealing system where the wiring enters the diff housing, I would prefer the see a compression gland rather than just a rubber grommet. I used an 80 series factory lockers switch (which fits straight into an 100 series dash) rather than the Eaton supplied switches.
I have given both of the lockers a pretty good work out and never had any issues with engaging / disengaging. Just flick the switch and off you go.
The set up cost about $1k more than what it would have cost for ARB lockers but that included fitted solid pinion spacers. ARB didn't want to know about the solid spacers and the local diff. specialists who will fit the solid pinion spacer don't want to install ARB lockers due to past issues with warranty work on leaking seals.
$1k would quickly be recouped by not having to take time off work to take the car back to ARB to be fixed.

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

I believe the back story on that particular locker was that it ended up being a Chinese copy.

This is not the case. It was an old locker with numbers on it. The dealer in question was just too lazy to look up the old books and instead tried to force a sell on a new locker.

Food for thought.

As you say everything in that article is true...

Did anyone read to the bit where this was obviously posted by a very angry OP who had a beef to pick with ARB?

And the clanger,, it appears he had a counterfeit Chinese copy of an ARB diff lock.. NOT. A genuine ARB locker...

Quote ARB.. "Our genuine Air Lockers have had serial numbers imprinted on them for decades in order for us to easily track and identify the different models. We are aware of many counterfeit products being manufactured overseas that don't carry these identifying features and unfortunately, in our experience, these counterfeits use poor quality seals and inaccurate parts, which can lead to some of the issues you've described. The seals in our genuine Air Lockers, when correctly installed, should last the life of the vehicle. "

Seems the OP may have been giving ARB a not so fair write up...

As I say, just cause its on the interweb doesn't mean it's true..

The mechanic had a right to be pissed. Could you imagine if it was a normal customer that had no mechanical knowledge. They would have been taken for a ride.

The diff turned out to be an original,

I think it was a fair write up. We as a customer should be able to get an issue resolved at the store and shouldn't have to resort to a forum or submitting complaints to head office that wasn't responded to for about 2 YEARS. This is poor customer service at it's best.

In this case it was true story and this was confirmed by head office. If it wasn't the mechanic in question would be in court for slander etc...

How can ARB say the seals will last the life time of the vehicle when its a wearing part and that rubber naturally breaks down...If that's the case they should have warranty to back this up. I know they use the 'should' word but it either does or it doesn't. It appears the time of installation will dictate how long the seals will last.

Piggy the OP goes on to say later that it was a genuine ARB locker and not a fake. I had the seal issue with an older ARB locker many years ago. I think the OP was over the top in his condemnation but having said that I will be looking to go E locker or TJM Pro locker even with the ARB locker and the new seal style.

It is hard not to be angry when a customer has to deal with this sort of situation. But it is also harder to post it on the web knowing the implications that may arise, being called a liar etc.

I had front and rear ARB air lockers in my Prado and got tired of wasting time taking it back to ARB to have the seals replaced under warranty. ARB were always happy to do the warranty work but it was a stuff around I didn't need. When I changed to the cruiser I had e-lockers fitted.

That is the issue. Being stuffed around and your vehicle is off the road...

John,

There was an issue with the front locker when it was first installed. There was not enough end float on the driver side axle where the spline fits into the diff. Once that issue was remedied the e-lockers have performed faultlessly. I think Eaton could provide and better sealing system where the wiring enters the diff housing, I would prefer the see a compression gland rather than just a rubber grommet. I used an 80 series factory lockers switch (which fits straight into an 100 series dash) rather than the Eaton supplied switches.
I have given both of the lockers a pretty good work out and never had any issues with engaging / disengaging. Just flick the switch and off you go.
The set up cost about $1k more than what it would have cost for ARB lockers but that included fitted solid pinion spacers. ARB didn't want to know about the solid spacers and the local diff. specialists who will fit the solid pinion spacer don't want to install ARB lockers due to past issues with warranty work on leaking seals.
$1k would quickly be recouped by not having to take time off work to take the car back to ARB to be fixed.

It is amazing that a small design flaw (grommet) could bring down a product. A bit like the parker / turn indicator lights on my ARB bar and how hard to is to replace globes / clean the housing because of water ingress. This could easily be resolved with a sealed led solution but this is not the case...

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

How many ARB Air lockers are being used around the world? The E-Locker pales in insignificance.

The problem with ARB Air lockers is people have had it rammed down their throats that they NEED lockers by Roothy and Co.

People go and get lockers fitted when in reality 99% of these people do not need them.

IMO a lot of the problems with them come from lack of use. The majority of the remaining are improperly installed.

Travis.

[Guest Close Guest]

What is the warranty on the e lockers and the likes?

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

What is the warranty on the e lockers and the likes?

12 months for E locker

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index...4&pageID=10062

Conditions of warranty - There is some concerns with this warranty.

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/index.php?pageID=12179


ARB is 5 years however the warranty policy below states otherwise. ARB need to clarify this.

http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-a...00features.php

Warranty conditions

http://www.arb.com.au/media/policy/A...nty_Policy.pdf

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

I have had my air lockers in my Prado now for over 6 years, and have not had a problem at all with them. In that time I have done well over 150000ks with them in there.

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

I was looking at front and rear E lockers which cost about $4500 including install. But with only 12 months warranty and the customer has to cover freight cost to and from the manufacturer ("Faulty products will be repaired or replaced at the absolute discretion of Opposite Lock. If goods must be returned to the manufacturer, the purchaser will meet all freight costs to and from the Opposite Lock store and the manufacturer.") I may have to review my options as this could become an expensive exercise.

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

What's the Prolocker warranty? Anyone know?