Thread: ARB lockers

Originally Posted by eckwalsh

Hi Guys a bit of advice would be nice.
When i brought my PUMA back in 2008 I had front and rear ARB diff lockers installed not long afterwards.They have been great until the last few months when i noticed that diff oil is dribbling out of the solenoids at the pump.Nothing like the smell of diff oil in the cabin..lol. I have checked the breathers and are all clear. Different sites say this is normal but it hasn't done it over the previous 4 years.Any ideas on what i should do to stem the flow.

Eck

I am no expert, and I really mean that haha!
but this happened with the ARB air lockers on my old 4wd, turned out that the diff breathers were clogged, so as the diffs heated up and the air/oil expanded (not sure of the chemics or whatever of it) it seemed that oil would back up the air lines not sure how or what actually causes it but that was the best solution put forward to me, i never investigated further as the locker continued to work and when I parted the car our and sold the air locker it was all in perfect condition and I know the guy who has it in his car, and still going fine. .

might be worth contacting ARB all the same though?

the O Ring in the newer ARB lockers seem to be a bit of a problem.......my lockers are 10 + years old and only draw back a little oil when you disengage the lockers which i can live with as they are only used a few times each year

oh i am assuming your problems is only when your are using them i.e. engage/disengage?

I had seen this once before when a friend and I came across a fellow in a Prado (no offence to him or others), with this same complaint. We could smell it outside the vehicle and it was at the top of a jump up. After talking to him we found he was driving with the lockers on too much. Hence this problem.

I advised him it's like a choke! A five second Joke! Use them for the intended obstacle and get out as soon as practical.

He had been ill advised on purchase.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Peter

Originally Posted by weeds

the O Ring in the newer ARB lockers seem to be a bit of a problem.......my lockers are 10 + years old and only draw back a little oil when you disengage the lockers which i can live with as they are only used a few times each year

oh i am assuming your problems is only when your are using them i.e. engage/disengage?

Thanks for your replies guys.
I dont use the lockers all that often. It is more of a case when im travelling up the highway and the oil seems to back feed up the lines. I have checked that the breathers are clear which they are. There is no air connected to them ATM and if i take a drive up the highway the oil seems to push out.
Regards:
Eck

Not trying to hijack your thread,

But Iam just fitting Ashcroft air lockers.

I know that there are basic design differences between the Ashcroft's and ARB's.

So, for those who know, is the Ashcroft Locker subject to this type of problem ? Or is it ARB specific ?

Originally Posted by eckwalsh

Thanks for your replies guys.
I dont use the lockers all that often. It is more of a case when im travelling up the highway and the oil seems to back feed up the lines. I have checked that the breathers are clear which they are. There is no air connected to them ATM and if i take a drive up the highway the oil seems to push out.
Regards:
Eck

This might sound silly but how are you checking the breathers are clear ?

The swivel fittings on the axle rusted internally on mine and blocked, the pipe itself was clear. Must have been caused by condensation because there was no oil contamination.
The original fittings are steel that is zinc passivated, outside still looked almost like new.
Replaced the fittings and all OK.


Colin

Originally Posted by Drover

Not trying to hijack your thread,

But Iam just fitting Ashcroft air lockers.

I know that there are basic design differences between the Ashcroft's and ARB's.

So, for those who know, is the Ashcroft Locker subject to this type of problem ? Or is it ARB specific ?

Never seen a drop of oil with my Ashcroft locker fitted. Mine was the first one in Oz so must be 2.5-3 yrs old now.

Sent using Forum Runner

Thanks for the heads up

My lockers are 15 years old and I have noticed this as well and put it down to being too generous with the Lanolene. Just tested the scent and yes, oil not Kiwi KY.

Time to check breathers....and maybe use lockers more often.