Centre Diff lock maintenance

[synthium]

Hi everyone,
about 6 months ago I posted about how my cdl would not disengage - even after reversing back for ages. I finally got it to by jacking up one side and rotating the wheels back and forth. It then came out easy - no bang or anything. Prior to that it would usually come out with reversing - sometimes with a loud clunk. But once it did take me about 20 minutes!

In all honesty I have not engage the CDL since for two reasons - I havn't had the need and secondly I am worried I won't be able to disengage it.

I am looking for advice or links to posts regarding any potential maintenance such as getting some grease in it) that I can conduct (the easier the better) to alleviate my fear of a permanently locked CDL. Is it going to realistically be a case of removing the unit and reconditioning the parts in it? I guess it is probably difficult to say without actually opening it up and looking.

Also note - it was not the lever on top of the diff - that was working fine.
Thanks for your help.
JP

[strangy]

Pull the sector shaft from the top (3 bolts) and check for free movement etc.
Remove the side cover on the front housing and have a look at the shaft and throw out fork and check the spring isn't broken or damaged.
Check the detent ball and spring are free and not binding. These can all be done in situ.
These components are all lubed by the TC oil so shouldn't be seized/ rusted unless the oil is heavily contaminated and has been for some time.
Though the Sector shaft may suffer from external influences. These are the only things that can affect the CDL outside of the linkages.

Keeping the linkages clean and lubed regularly and ensuring the sector shaft isn't caked with mud is about all the maintenance required or possible.

[synthium]

Hi Strangy,
thank you for that!
looks like I got a weekend project. Anyone have any pics of themselves doing it on a defender?
Thanks

[strangy]

These may help, 82730
Sector/ actuator shaft. 3 bolts.
82731
Side cover with 7 bolts, will expose the selector shaft with fork and spring. You can also see the detent plug ( hex grub screw) Some LT330 have the detent towards the back of the housing at the top.