Chinese Diff-locks (RD128)

[Tikka7mm08]

Hi - I have got one for the rear (Puma 90) with compressor, switches, etc and will get it fitted (next week). The first impression is these are solid and well made - price NZD750. I know the price seems at odds with the first 2 qualities!

I thought I might post some close-up photos in case anyone is interested, and then report on how it goes.

Bob

[Marty110]

Hi there, thanks for the post. A friend of mine who builds diff locks and re-builds diffs, trans, etc looked at getting gears made in China (he currently gets them made in Italy) mainly had problems with the quality of the steel and hard facing. It was mainly with consistency - 7/10 would measure out at the specified hardness the rest would fail - the failure rate was too high. That was a few years ago so will be interested to see the longevity of these as things have changed in China with their increasing participation in car manufacturing.

[benji]

I wad talking to one of the engineers at arb about these Chinese copies. He was saying the steel is hard, but not tough; so it will fatigue easy over time (wether that's biase or not...)

I did hear a story about one of these centres destroying itself on a corrugated road.

But the proof is in the pudding; that was a while ago now.

[Tombie]

Personally I think that knowingly buying an illegal copy of a companys product is immoral.

It deters investment and ongoing development... Why should companies continue to develope their product is people buy the knock off?

These Chinalockers are the old generation locker, without all the improvements of the current units - and have questionable hardening on the gear surfaces.

For $300.00 more you could of had the real deal, and a warranty...

If that cheap locker breaks / grinds itself to pieces, the cost will be a lot more than your savings...

Note: I wish you no malace, the above comments are my opinion only, and I hope you incur no further out of pocket expenses due to the quality of your purchase...

[Tikka7mm08]

This thread is about a test of these lockers, morality and ethics of the product are above my pay grade. As an aside ARB lockers cost a lot more in NZ.

[Drover]

Personally I think that knowingly buying an illegal copy of a companys product is immoral.

It deters investment and ongoing development... Why should companies continue to develope their product is people buy the knock off?

These Chinalockers are the old generation locker, without all the improvements of the current units - and have questionable hardening on the gear surfaces.

For $300.00 more you could of had the real deal, and a warranty...

If that cheap locker breaks / grinds itself to pieces, the cost will be a lot more than your savings...

Note: I wish you no malace, the above comments are my opinion only, and I hope you incur no further out of pocket expenses due to the quality of your purchase...

Don't find myself agreeing with Tombie much, but he is spot on with this one.

I got a quote from Ashcroft a few weeks ago for front air locker, HD gears set up in the centre. £ 850.

I get that is AUD$1300 -an extra $600ish but it's an Ashcroft and a full bolt up, Quality is unquestionable.

It will be the Ashcroft for me and when I am 3000k's from help I won't give it second thought.

[Tikka7mm08]

Righto fellas I was trying to do a helpful thread as I had trouble finding first hand experience related about these lockers.If they don't perform then those like me considering PRC made may choose to go down a different path (as you both advocate). Please start your own thread on PRC vs everyone else etc. This thread is for the curious and interested.

[Wicks89]

Yeah dude I'm listening.

Without being a serious metallurgist you'd never know about the quality of the steel etc unless it was visibly dramatically worse or better. Even then you need them both side by side.

[Kevin B]

AsTikka said this thread is about testing a chinese locker, not a comparison between it and an ARB one and ill be watching for first impressions and any ongoing reports, im not advocating buying one over the other im just interested and when folks take a risk in the name of research im all for it, you never know, I hope it works well and never implodes.

[noogie]

Personally I think that knowingly buying an illegal copy of a companys product is immoral.

It deters investment and ongoing development... Why should companies continue to develope their product is people buy the knock off?

These Chinalockers are the old generation locker, without all the improvements of the current units - and have questionable hardening on the gear surfaces.

For $300.00 more you could of had the real deal, and a warranty...

If that cheap locker breaks / grinds itself to pieces, the cost will be a lot more than your savings...

Note: I wish you no malace, the above comments are my opinion only, and I hope you incur no further out of pocket expenses due to the quality of your purchase...

I couldn't agree more.
The cost of setting up the lockers isn't cheap so I would just pay extra and get the quality product that is proven and has a warranty.
There are videos on youtube that demonstrate the quality differences between Chinese rip offs and a quality locker.
Good luck all the same.