Front diff Lockers

[Ben SIII]

In my head this seems fine but my old man is sure there will be a fault in it, so in an S3 with free wheeling hubs, could you get a diff locker for the front and have no ill effects? i figure it would only impact steering when the hubs are engaged and at that stage you want the good traction anyway.

Any thoughts?

ben

[TonyC]

Hi Ben,

If you are talking manual locker IE: ARB Air Locker. Then with the diff unlocked it will be the same as you have now, when locked it have the down sides of a fully locked diff IE: hard to steer

If you go an auto locker IE: a Detroit. Then my understanding is the you would want to keep the hubs unlocked for fast road work. I have never driven something with a front Detroit.

If you are a talking a CIG locker IE: weld up the centre. Then you won't be able to steer as soon as you lock the hubs. Also I would not like to have to explain it to the insurance company.

Hope this helps

Tony

[spudboy]

I've had a strong LSD in the front, which would not be as harsh as a locker, and that made the vehicle 'interesting' to drive with the front hubs locked. The self centering was something fierce!

Hubs unlocked - you never knew it was there of course.

[cookiesa]

Most autolockers work the opposite way around in that they are locked and only when there is sufficient force from one wheel trying to turn faster than the other do they unlock (of course off road there is slip which means it remains locked) this is what causes a lot of the clunk and noises on auto lockers. With the hubs in free of course it won't make any difference in a part time 4x4.

[HBWC]

and if it is a wellded center only lock 1 hub till the going gets tuff

[Ben SIII]

Thanks for the tips, looks like air lockers is the way, have heard some bad stories about the detroit style lockers blowing diffs.

[101RRS]

have heard some bad stories about the detroit style lockers blowing diffs.

Not true - detroits are a good solid reliable product. Are you thinking of Lock Rite diff locks which do have a bad reputation - they used to take out my brother in laws front diff in his Hilux quite regularly until he saw the light and sold the HiLux and bought a boat.

Garry

[Gullible]

this is what causes a lot of the clunk and noises on auto lockers.

I have a trutrack in the front - no clunk or noise if fitted correctly

[TonyC]

I have a trutrack in the front - no clunk or noise if fitted correctly

Am I right in thinking a TrueTrack is a limited slip not a full locker?

Tony

[spudboy]

Mechanical LSD, no clutchplates. Works with spiral gears.

[isuzurover]

Am I right in thinking a TrueTrack is a limited slip not a full locker?

Tony

As spudboy says - a geared LSD. If you have a wheel completely off the ground you won't have any drive to the other wheel unless you ride the brake slightly.

If you have etc, then a truetrack would work very well with ETC (and is cheaper than a manual locker).