diff lock!?!?!?!

[discowilson]

i dont seem to know alot of about my diff lock, but alls i know is it isnt locking?


anyone have any suggestions?

[Phototone]

As I understand it, when in "locked" mode, either high or low range, the front and back differentials are locked so if you lose traction on one end (either front or back) you can still get traction on the other end, BUT the Disco does not have individual wheel lock. If you loose traction on one wheel in front or back that wheel will spin and you lose traction to the other wheel on that end.. Thats the way I understand it, but someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[texaninmass]

Phototone is correct however to maybe provide a bit more information, when you activate the differential lock either in high or low, it locks the front and the rear differentials together connected through the transfer case...this means the front axle and the back axle get 50% each from the transfer case.

This does not mean that all four wheels are going to produce equal amount of power.

If you imagine one axle at a time...on the front axle if you get the right tire stuck in the mud the power is transferred from that tire to the left tire. This is done because on the road car tires need to have the ability to turn at different speeds.
The exact same theory applies to the rear axle. If your stuck in the mud on the right tire, the left one is transferred all the power.

If you follow that you can see that what most people think what is "true" 4 wheel drive is not.

Guys that use the trucks for off road use will usually install what is called a "Locker" on both the front differential and one one the rear.
This means that when they lock there transfer case differential lock it not only is distributing 50% equally to the front and rear axle (Differentials) but the "locker" also locks up both the front and rear axle respectively gaining the maximum amount of torque to all the wheels at the same time.

As far as the actual shifter, I had a hard time for quite some time understanding how thing actually works. I think the diagram in front of the shifter is confusing.

When the shifter is in the bottom right position, this is the normal driving for regular use.

If you push it to the left that locks the diff lock front to back in high.

If the shifter is in the bottom right position and you put the car transmission selector in nuetrul...you can the push the lever from the bottom right up one click and that puts the transfer case in neutral.(I am told you use this for towing purposes)

If you are in the bottom right position and you push the lever all the way forward (to-wards the front of the car) you are in the low position. This does not lock the differential however in low, it just puts the transfer case in low gear.

From that position if you push the lever over to the left (Toward the steering wheel it will then be in the "Low" locked gear.

Whenever you are in the locked range, both high diff lock and Low diff locked there should be a light on your dash indicating this. I have heard that some Rover take a bit for that to come on or off.

If you have not used this feature regularly then the lever and all that attached below to the actual Transfer case can become seized. There are many links on this site of how to repair that if that is the case.

I am sure there are others that provide more info as well.

Anthony

[discowilson]

yeah i know all this but like when i stick mine in the locking positing my light does not come on

[Phototone]

Originally Posted by discowilson

yeah i know all this but like when i stick mine in the locking positing my light does not come on

Just because the light doesn't come on...doesn't mean it isn't working. The connection from the 4-wheel shifter to the transfer case is mechanical. The light only signals what you have done mechanically. It could be a bulb or connection for the light.

Do you know for a fact your truck is not physically LOCKING?? Have you taken it out in situations where you can diagnose if your traction is improved in one of the locked positions?

[discowilson]

well not knowing i had my truick in diff lock high and the light came on after like a week so the bulb is working? i might this weekend take it apart and see if it needs some lubrication

[Phototone]

Originally Posted by discowilson

well not knowing i had my truick in diff lock high and the light came on after like a week so the bulb is working? i might this weekend take it apart and see if it needs some lubrication

You need to know that you should NOT drive your truck on dry pavement with it locked for any length of time, as it causes extra stress on the whole drivetrain. The unlocked positions are the right side slots on the "H" pattern shifter.