When to lock CDL

**Shoogs** · 6th May 2018, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by dennisS1

May not be in the majority with this but have been around a bit, and a lot of travel on gravel/sand. My answer is only when needed to proceed. Never over 40Km/h never on good surfaces, would never consider it on corrugations. Have had 1 Disco and 2 Defenders with over 800,000K combined and never had a problem with CDL’s.
Dennis

About same for me, a couple of 100k on dirt in Defenders, rarely engage it and never any issues, each to there own I suppose.

**ProjectDirector** · 6th May 2018, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by dazzler

I have TC so no issues, I have not experienced any traction loss after i installed the ATB's to be honest ..totally different driving experience on the loose stuff. But without TC you might want to use left foot braking with ATB. Neil he has ATB without TC.

pd

Thanks for clarification, my 110 has TC (2013) so this could be something to consider.

**Zeros** · 6th May 2018, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

Thanks for clarification, my 110 has TC (2013) so this could be something to consider.

My TC light never comes on while driving fast dirt, yet an ATB would improve traction, as does locking the CDL. Still etter to lock CDL or get an ATB on dirt, even with TC, IMO. Also agree it’s a good idea to put it in low range regularly too.

**trout1105** · 6th May 2018, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zeros

May TC light never comes on while driving fast dirt, yet an ATB would improve traction, as does locking the CDL. Still etter to lock CDL or get an ATB on dirt, even with TC, IMO. Also agree it’s a good idea to put it in low range regularly too.

I agree, The old saying "If you don't Use it you will Loose it" comes to mind

**Landy Red** · 6th May 2018, 10:31 AM

Engage it as soon as you are driving on a surface you wouldn’t/shouldn’t drive a front wheel drive family sedan on. That's my rule. I don’t bother on well formed gravel roads, but as soon as I am on a track and suspect a bit wheel spin I push it across. I quite like the driver interaction with the vehicle of popping it across and back as the track conditions change. I leave it open on hard sand, but lock it in soft sand.

**rangieman** · 6th May 2018, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Landy Red

Engage it as soon as you are driving on a surface you wouldn’t/shouldn’t drive a front wheel drive family sedan on. That's my rule. I don’t bother on well formed gravel roads, but as soon as I am on a track and suspect a bit wheel spin I push it across. I quite like the driver interaction with the vehicle of popping it across and back as the track conditions change. I leave it open on hard sand, but lock it in soft sand.

I would think any sand would require engagement

**Landy Red** · 6th May 2018, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by rangieman

I would think any sand would require engagement

When it's really compact hard sand it feels a lot like concrete, so I tend not too.

**trout1105** · 6th May 2018, 05:12 PM

If you know the stretch of dirt you are travelling on is hard packed and there are No hidden surprises then leaving the CDL open isn't a problem.
However if you are unfamiliar with a stretch of dirt then it pays to have the CDL engaged because you never know when a washout, soft spot, loose stretch or creek crossing will pop up and usually by the time you hit the problem it is too late to engage the CDL.

**rangieman** · 6th May 2018, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by trout1105

If you know the stretch of dirt you are travelling on is hard packed and there are No hidden surprises then leaving the CDL open isn't a problem.
However if you are unfamiliar with a stretch of dirt then it pays to have the CDL engaged because you never know when a washout, soft spot, loose stretch or creek crossing will pop up and usually by the time you hit the problem it is too late to engage the CDL.

And as Dave Ashcroft say`s it is only second`s between a operational CDL and a dead CDL

**tact** · 7th May 2018, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by rangieman

And as Dave Ashcroft say`s it is only second`s between a operational CDL and a dead CDL

Here is the actual quote lifted from the Ashcroft site:
" If you are Off Road on snow or ice and you get wheelspin from one front wheel, what will happen is the rear prop will not be moving, the front will thus be going double speed, this means the small centre diff gears will be spinning like fury and after a matter of only a few seconds the planet gears will friction weld to the cross pins and the gears will fail etc. Of course in this situation the centre diff should be locked to avoid failure."

Its wheelspin that is the centre diff killer (not technically a CDL killer, the "L" is for Lock", the diff lock mechanism isn't destroyed by wheelspin).

Hence my suggestion to lock whenever there is chance of wheelspin - even if that is on wet tarmac, rock etc...

Reflecting on comments made in another thread about things written on the Ashcroft and Truetrac sites being authoritative, when I labelled some of it as being dumbed down or even "market spin":
The quote above, possibly from the second epistle of Ashcroft to the heathens at large, mentions:
"...when one front wheel" ...starts to wheelspin then centre diffs can melt in seconds.

At the risk of being labelled blasphemy, verily I say unto thee - This will apply to any REAR wheel breaking out into wheelspin too. Verily even if both rears or both fronts break into wheelspin.... destruction and perdition awaits.

(Just for a side of cheek with your main...: And ATBs still don't "need wheelspin to work" despite that not being explicit on the holy walls of Ashcroft or Detroit).

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