Locking the Centre Diff, when?

[Jimmy]

Hi all,

Just wanting to find some info on locking the centre diff on a 2001 Defender. I havent needed to yet, but wondering when and for what occasion you would do it. For example, there is a warning about high revs in 1st and 2nd gear low range - should this be avoided. Also, what about when recovering a Toyota, snatching, or under weight from a trailer or something. Can things go pear-shaped when not used right.

Perhaps a few examples of when anyone has used the diff lock would be handy.

Cheers
Jimmy

[BigJon]

Lock the centre diff at any stage when traction is likely to be lost. This ensures that you will minimise the chances of wheel spin. Do not lock the centre diff on hard, high traction surfaces, as damage to the drive train can result. Some people advocate locking the centre diff for high speed dirt road driving, but my Rangie whines a bit when I do that, so I avoid it.

[George130]

I lock mine whenever I'm on dirt (Only due to thinkinh that non constant 4wd vehicles don't have the choice. A friend of mine clains he can feel the difference in handling so locks the centre diff now when he drives it. Others have pointed out that the centre diff is small and easily broken? so lock when on loose surface.
Never lock on solid ground, sealed roads.

[DaveS3]

After the centre diff is locked on a dirt road my car is completly different to drive. Far less understeer, and you can drive in far more control if driving a bit quicker.

You get that cool little light to https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[disco95]

Arte you driving a TD5 or bent 8 :?: I don't know about the diesel, but my 3.9 revs without any problems, in any gear https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
As for locking the centre, I just don't get to do it anywhere near often enough :cry:
I want to give it a go on high speed dirt when given the chance as I've heard that handling improves greatly.

[stevo68]

Hey All,

With the D3 it does it automatically on/off, dependant on the situation, though if Rock Crawl is switched on the centre diff engages straight away. As of yet I dont think the rear diffs have engaged. Now I know some of you may say " well lardy daa daa" :wink: but thought you maybe interested to know https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ Of note on our recent club 4WD training day ( and I wont mention any names :wink: ) on member was trying to get up a real slippery slope, and couldnt get up. Then jokingly someone said " hey have you engaged your diffs", ummm he hadnt. As soon as he did it went straight up, impressive stuff,

Regards

Stevo

[Tusker]

Story goes that the Army labelled their CDLs as on-road & off-road. Or used to anyway.

Thats pretty much how I use mine. Its faster & more stable with the CDL engaged on high speed dirt. Just disengage it if doing say a 3point turn in the bush.

Regards
Max P

[Ace]

I lock mine as soon as low range is needed. If i am doing a long dirt road drive i lock it. Matt

[Jimmy]

what about when using a snatchy/recovering, where 1st and 2nd gear low range will be used with high-ish revs???? or towing???? any danger?

[Timmo]

I only use it for really tricky bits, river crossings, steep slippery sections. Can just push the lever across on the go, when you think you will need it, and i always take it out again as soon as it isn't needed. Haven't tried it on high speed dirt, but find the 90 pretty well balanced for that anyway, no significant oversteer or understeer.

[Tusker]

Originally posted by Jimmy
what about when using a snatchy/recovering, where 1st and 2nd gear low range will be used with high-ish revs???? or towing???? any danger?

Never had anything break under those conditions.

Its the shockloasds that breaks stuff. In lo-lo the torque is multipled say 40 times. Its the wheel lifting & bouncing around that breaks CVs, axles & diffs.

In a snatch the snatcher is usulally on near to level ground. If full throttle & maximim revs are used, odds are the strap will break. Its better to have a couple of goes, increasing the momentum to just enough. A bit of whhelspin here doesn't hurt.

Regards
Max P

[Ace]

As tusker said its unlikely you would break something in recovery situations. A centre diff will only become a problem when run on solid surfaces where transmission wind up can occur because the wheels cant slip to remove it. Matt