CDL when on Slippery Surfaces

**Jock The Rock** · 10th March 2009, 08:31 PM

Gday

I went 4WDing the other weekend with the Rover Club of Northern Tasmania

Decent bunch of blokes. With some very nice Landies

Anyway I have never really used the CDL in my Landy off road. And it was suggested to me that I should engage it as soon as I hit a slippery surface, such as loose gravel etc.

The reasoning was that it places to much stress on the sun gears in the transfer case other wise

(I cant remember it all sorry

). Say if one axle winds itself up and then suddenly engages the other diff you run the risk of smashing your box.

Sorry if the doesnt make sense I cant remember all the facts

But the question is; does it matter if I engage CDL on gravel roads when driving at reasonable speeds? I did drive for a while and it felt very planted on the road and awesome traction

And does it matter if I dont engage CDL when offroad?

Thanks

**101RRS** · 10th March 2009, 08:46 PM

It doesn't really matter if you are on gravel roads but it does make the car a bit more stable as you are in proper 4wd rather than AWD.

When offroad the CDL should always be engaged so that maximum traction is available at all times and to reduce shock loads on the drivetrain.

Garry

**rovercare** · 10th March 2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

It doesn't really matter if you are on gravel roads but it does make the car a bit more stable as you are in proper 4wd rather than AWD.

When offroad the CDL should always be engaged so that maximum traction is available at all times and to reduce shock loads on the drivetrain.

Garry

^^^that

**Blknight.aus** · 10th March 2009, 08:57 PM

its a personal choice thing....

I engage it if Im likely to lift a wheel or if Im on really slippery stuff and need both axle diffs shoving wheels to help keep things pointed an moving where I want them to.

your just as likely to take out the sun gears of the Center diff by locking it for prolonged periods (they dont rotate in relation to each other so the load is passed continuously on the same teeth of the gears) as you are by letting it spin a bit. And at the end of the day it all comes down to how much loud pedal your giving what size tyres.

In theory, If you wheel placement and route selection is perfect you dont need the ability to lock the CDL.

**Jock The Rock** · 10th March 2009, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the replies

I just thought I might ask

As this fella seemed pretty shocked when I told him I didnt have it engaged

**B92 8NW** · 10th March 2009, 09:24 PM

I'm a little cautious about engaging it on gravel roads - I often have visions of going around a hairpin and the thing forcing itself in a straight line, sending me off a cliff face. Maybe unrealistic, but always in the back of my mind.

**camel_landy** · 11th March 2009, 09:36 AM

It's probably easier thinking about it the other way...

DON'T engage it when you're on a hard surface e.g. Bitumen or concrete.

HTH

M

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 11th March 2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by B92 8NW

I'm a little cautious about engaging it on gravel roads - I often have visions of going around a hairpin and the thing forcing itself in a straight line, sending me off a cliff face. Maybe unrealistic, but always in the back of my mind.

it actually does the opposite,,

try a few slow donuts on sand or loose gravel,
then lock it in and do it again.

**B92 8NW** · 11th March 2009, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

it actually does the opposite,,

try a few slow donuts on sand or loose gravel,
then lock it in and do it again.

True - I've found that Discos understeer appalling when flogged on wet tarmac. I'll find some gravel

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 11th March 2009, 11:25 AM

,, try it just off idle.

I knew donuts was the wrong word

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