Thread: Anyone had experience with Chinese Air Lockers

Originally Posted by Tank_JR

No need to get childish how about we stop peeing in to the wind and actually find some one who has used one of these lockers

Don't get your knickers in a twist because the argument you were making was wrong and didn't go your way...

As for the locker, feel free to be the guinea pig if no one else has.....but I know where I stand on Chinese product.

I remember when a lot of the chinese winches started to come onto the market. At that time everyone said don't touch them and stick to WARN etc, and they were right...at that time. The first winches were of poor build quality and failed after not too long. However, the Chinese are very good at manufacturing (there is a reason why they are a economic power house) and at improving the quality of their products. Many of the winches that are now accepted in our market as reasonably good quality (such as Iron Man, Tigerz 11 etc) are manufactured in china and are developing a name for reasonably quality.

I think the same could be said about the chinese lockers. The very first ones were probably total crap and built to very poor tolerances. I imagine over time they will get better and perhaps start being a reasonable option for those of us more budget conscious and not looking to really abuse them. I think at this stage you still take a risk and if they prices of these are any where near $800 I would be saving the biccies a little longer and going for the real thing. There savings wouldn't be enough to tempt me to compromise on build quality.

For me however, I would not take the risk. The type of driving I do I need the locker to be THE toughest part of the driveline and take a beating. I don't think I would risk my money or take the risk being stuck somewhere with a broken locker. Its a bugger enough already doing a rear CW&P.

My 2 cents worth...

Been thinking of installing one of these in the front, have a mate who has bought one to try.And have heard of a person running them so far no probs.
Looked around the internet to find some figures after reading this thread and found this.
it was for a 200tdi.I dont know if it is exact.
Quote
"188 lb-ft at engine * 3.692 (gearbox) * 3.32 (transfer) * 3.54 (Axle) = 8157 lb-ft with all torque to one wheel. Not extremely difficult to reach 3000 with a locker engaged. "

3000 foot pound is for the standard axle reaching failure.(longfield test)
Read that aftermarket stronger axles bring this figure up around the 6000ish foot pounds.
The price makes the locker very tempting under (depending what you get it for), in the front.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Bill is not being childish. He is pointing out (in a kind way) that your ignorance is flapping in the wind for all to see.

I suspect you are confused between torque and power. Reading a high school physics textbook would be a good start.

all good and well i will admit im wrong and accept defeat about the figures on paper but what will let go first traction between tyre and dirt/rock or the diff center

Originally Posted by Tank_JR

all good and well i will admit im wrong and accept defeat about the figures on paper but what will let go first traction between tyre and dirt/rock or the diff center

Well,a common circumstance is shock going through the drive components,having wheel spin and then sudden traction.You will have 3 out comes, the car will move forwards,loose traction again or stop with a bang.If its the 3rd out come it should be noted as scientific fact that this will happen at the furthest point from camp at 5pm

Originally Posted by Tank_JR

all good and well i will admit im wrong and accept defeat about the figures on paper but what will let go first traction between tyre and dirt/rock or the diff center

When we hear of people breaking centres and axles we know immediately which component won

ARB wants you to think that the copycat/ripoff/fake ones will break before their's.

It may or may not, I'd like to think the originals QC is better than the fake.

Originally Posted by McDisco

I think the same could be said about the chinese lockers. The very first ones were probably total crap and built to very poor tolerances. I imagine over time they will get better and perhaps start being a reasonable option for those of us more budget conscious and not looking to really abuse them. I think at this stage you still take a risk and if they prices of these are any where near $800 I would be saving the biccies a little longer and going for the real thing. There savings wouldn't be enough to tempt me to compromise on build quality.
My 2 cents worth...

I personally would hesitate to call the ARB locker "The Real Thing"
I've lost count of the number of trips and events I've attended where someones AirLeaker has failed to engage or disengage. ARBs engineering integrity and material quality leaves a bit to be desired IMO, and is the main reason for the existence of the Ashcroft difflock.
Wagoo.

Originally Posted by wagoo

I personally would hesitate to call the ARB locker "The Real Thing"
I've lost count of the number of trips and events I've attended where someones AirLeaker has failed to engage or disengage. ARBs engineering integrity and material quality leaves a bit to be desired IMO, and is the main reason for the existence of the Ashcroft difflock.
Wagoo.

And the McNamara locker has long been regarded as the stronger and more reliable product,pity about the salesmanship though.

Wayne