Does anyone have piccys of front Maxi-Drive?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Just out of interest, does anyone have any images of a Maxi-Drive diff fitted to a Defender front axle?

I would be particularly interested in any piccys of the internals and installation.

:TakeABow:

[Sitec]

Hi there.
I have in my workshop a Defender front axle with a Maxi Drive locker.. It belongs to Offender90 (Bojan). It's not stripped but I'll take a pic of the outside tomorrow. I remember Bojan posted some decent literature on another thread on here.. Send him a PM and I'm sure he'll be able to help you a lot more than me! Cheers!:)

[VladTepes]

FYI Maxidrive no longer make front lockers.

MR Automotive fit the Eaton locker instead apparently it's a good unit !

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks Vlad, I actually have a Disco rear that I want to put in the Defender front. The issue is that apparently there are differences in the actuator fork and the locking sleeve which I'm trying to get my head around.

[VladTepes]

Philco has a maxi drive not sitting in a car at the moment. He's away for the weekend but may be able to assist.

[isuzurover]

comprehensive pics here:
Fitting Maxidrives (Dialup Warning) - Land Rover Technical Archive - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=3843)

[Nick S]

I just bought a new Rover type Maxi Drive for the front of my defender so I'll get some pics of the differences between front and rear locking dogs. I think the actuator fork is the same but the vacuum lines are positioned on top of the unit when mounted to the diff housing, if you use a rear cylinder on the front axle the vac lines end up below the unit, no big deal but might make them more vulnerable to damage
Nick

[Lotz-A-Landies]

These are a front Maxidrive, the same as I already have from a Disco rear Maxi.

The next two following images loaded from Fitting Maxidrives - Land Rover Technical Archive - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=3843)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/614.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/615.jpg

However the length of the fork and the locking slide are different to the rear ones I have. But I cant use the slide on the short side of the middle axle assembly. (below)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/616.jpg

The locking spline of the Salisbury Maxidrive (below) seems to be cut into the original carrier rather than a new machined carrier.

The following image loaded from Fitting Maxidrives - Land Rover Technical Archive - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=3843)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/617.jpg

Given that I already have a heavy duty Rover diff. Is there a possibility of cutting the same spline into my Rover diff and using the Salisbury fittings on the long side?

Opinions please?

[isuzurover]

...

The locking spline of the Salisbury Maxidrive (below) seems to be cut into the original carrier rather than a new machined carrier.



They actually machine off the entire bearing land on that side and press in a new one machined from 4340 with the splines.

For overseas sales this was not easy to do so MD supplied a completely new casing for the sals.

You could machine a new end for your rover carrier that incorporates the splines on the other side, however paying a machinist to do the work would likely end up the same cost as buying a few new lockers...

There is no way you can turn a rear into a front using bolt on parts (unless you have front locker parts...)

I still think your better option is to sell it and buy an Ashcroft or ARB which are stronger anyway.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi Ben

You could be right and I can use the whole Disco Maxi by just bolting it under my '85 classic.

The ARB may be stronger, but I only this week came across another person (Land Cruiser) who got into trouble because their ARB unlocked during an obstacle through loss of air. You may as well not have a locking diff if they are going to uncommanded unlock at anytime.

Diana

[1999td5]

A loss of air is hardly a diff fault. That is a poor installation/Maintenance!
A lot of diff lockers use air regardless of brand.

Graeme

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A loss of air is hardly a diff fault. That is a poor installation/Maintenance!
A lot of diff lockers use air regardless of brand.

GraemeIt most certainly is a flaw with ARB etc. with ARB the light on the dash only indicates when the solenoids should receive power and only an assumption that the diff is locked. There may be an air line failure a compressor failure or as you say poor maintenance.

With a Maxi if the light is on the diff is engaged.