Thread: Centre Diff issue - no power to wheels when not engaged

Originally Posted by martinb

Hi guys,
being very new to this and only just received and cleaned my FFR Perentie, I came across an issue with the center diff/drivetrain.
When the diff lock is not engaged (switch in, red control light off) I get no power to the wheels. Like when I have it in neutral. High/low settings or any gears don't make a difference.
Once the Centre diff lock is engaged (switch out, red light on, audible vacuum sound), it drives.
Trying to apply common sense, I assume that there's an issue with the driveshaft to either the front or rear axle or one of the axles being broken. Nothing was marked in the service book that came with it and has a very complete history otherwise.
I haven't been able to find a post with the same problem here or anywhere else so any help would be greatly appreciated as I can't wait to go for a drive but don't want to drive with the locked diff.

Thanks a lot!
Martin
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You have a broken axle, suspect the passenger side front

Try driving with it disengaged - get someone else to check which prop shaft is turning. That will be the end there is an issue.

Most likely the spline has worn out on a drive flange at the centre of a wheel. remove the hubcap should show which one. Other possibilities are a broken axle or a CV joint on the front axle, rarely a broken front diff or an actual failure in the centre diff.

Try this

Disengage CDL, select first gear, release clutch, hop out and look underneath and see which prop shaft is spinning.

This will point in in the right direction.

Next check drive flanges on the diff that the spinning prop shaft is connected to, remove rubber caps for a bit a a look.....

My guess it will be either drive flange stripper or snapped axle.

Whoops, John and I posting at the same time.

Thanks a lot for the quick feedback!! I should have asked earlier. I'll do some more analysing and then off to source the right parts. In case I can't get it fixed myself, is there a good mechanic around Melbourne anybody is aware of?

If it's just the drive flange, I'm tipping you should be able to do it yourself.

If it's an axle, it could be twisted at the diff and a pig to get out. Is that right, Rod?

Who could do it? AMV Ringwood immediately springs to mind. The boys at Romsey would be able to fix it I'm sure. Any other suggestions I have are a lot further west.
You could try giving Dave a call. I think he might be up to a bit of mobile mechanicing. Blknight.aus on the forum.
Wherabouts in Melbourne are you?