Thread: Chinese Lockers

Originally Posted by gromit

Talking to someone within the industry there are a number of concerns with the Chinese lockers including :-

Tolerances on the parts are different between lockers from the same supplier. It almost seemed like the parts are made to fit each other rather than to an accurate tolerance so you cannot easily interchange parts. This means that once the locker is damaged you throw it away.

Following on from the above point, you cannot get spare parts.

Failure mode. With a big brand locker the axle is the 'fuse' with a Chinese unit the locker itself can sometimes be the 'fuse'.


If you want a low cost locker for limited use and you aren't likely to overload it then you could probably save money by buying a Chinese one. If you have a problem with a Chinese locker you will most likely have to buy a replacement, at this point you have spent enough to have chosen a big brand locker but you still only have a Chinese one....

Part of the reason for the cost difference is that the Chinese company is just copying an existing design, no development costs and no spare parts backup is required.

I don't personally have a vehicle with a locker but if I was going to buy one I would probably go for a known brand with service and parts available throughout Australia.

As always, you pays your money and makes your choice......


Colin

Yes, certainly a some Chinese Lockers are not of sound quality.
The supplier l purchased off have parts, and provide a warranty.
Funny how some Nissan Comp trucks running 40's have not broken one yet after two years !
This thread is not to promote Chinese Lockers, but offer an alternative in open discussion.
Myself and a couple of friends have bought them, and happy with the product so far.
Its up to who ever if they wish to go either way.

If they are a direct copy of ARB, then this is design piracy and they all should be seized at the border.

One reason that ARB are more expensive is that they had to pay engineers to design and test each model design, and this costs heaps which has to be amortised on a small volume.

I would be happy to buy a Chinese product if they were a unique design and stood on their own merits but the Chinese seem to continue to copy other's designs eg the Chery.
If everyone bought Chinese copies soon there will be no ARB for them to copy from.
Regards Philip A

Considering that I think RD in front of every locker is a ARB code.... there is every chance that these are the same same..

Also another reason why ARB and other top well known brands are more expensive is because of the name.We as consumers are often taken for a ride because of the brand.After saying that though, I am a timber craftsman and only buy the top name tools because the cheaper one's just really are just that,cheap and nasty.I want reliable tools so I pay for it.Who knows really.

hi i have just been quoted $590.00 del to my door.........have also read quite alot of threads and comments from people who have them(some in mud runners) and no one is complaining...all thoses who haven't got one though are.....there is no dought they are made from weaker materials but the specs are still quite good.

I'm giving one a go........

But do I need heavy duty axles, or can i just put the locker straight in??

[QUOTE=kippakoop; But do I need heavy duty axles, or can i just put the locker straight in??[/QUOTE]

No not if your not stupid with it.

In over ten years of having ARB lockers i have only once broken a front axle and the way I broke it nothing would have held up (me being a bone head) if you use lockers carefully then no worries, having said that mud is very forgiving in regard to lockers & axles big rocks aren't, if your going to be climbing rocks or terrain that doesn't have any give do it very carefully.

Think tread lightly and you will be fine

Originally Posted by kippakoop

hi i have just been quoted $590.00 del to my door.........have also read quite alot of threads and comments from people who have them(some in mud runners) and no one is complaining...all thoses who haven't got one though are.....there is no dought they are made from weaker materials but the specs are still quite good.

I'm giving one a go........

But do I need heavy duty axles, or can i just put the locker straight in??

Hi,

which diff type/vehicle are you fitting this in?

With air compressor?

Group buy?

Originally Posted by Chilly

Hi,

which diff type/vehicle are you fitting this in?

With air compressor?

Group buy?

1997 3.9 v8 disco. thats all the info i gave them. i know my diffs are open but as far as the ratio's i accually don't know. the air locker model is a RD128 REAR.

i hope that helps.