Thread: MD Lockers and drive flanges

I always thought it was because axles get upgraded to heavy duty (HD) versions, thus needing the HD drive flanges to match. If you're on standard axles, then I don't have the answer. I await further answers!

Also if you go to oil lube wheel bearings and have the dust caps, the obvious thing to do is put a better drive flange that can't leak oil...

Doesn't quite answer your question still, but that's what I've always assumed the answer was!

Originally Posted by flagg

I have a rear MD maxi-drive locker, however I have regular style drive flanges. I've always wondered about this, as everyone else with the MD locker has the MD flanges - some even say that to have the locker, you have to have the flanges.

Is this a normal thing or something that has happened post MD install?

Go to www.mrauto.com.au, send an E-mail to Dwayne, he runs the business. They have the rights to Maxi drive in Qld. He will know, Bob

cant be standard axles with MD locker as locking actuator / dog runs on the axle itself.

if there early style lockers they wont have the MD in the end of the drive flange, just a round cylinder style drive flange.

Thanks PSI250.

So the flanges are normal flanges? And I can fit the upgraded HTE flanges?

Originally Posted by PSI250

cant be standard axles with MD locker as locking actuator / dog runs on the axle itself.

if there early style lockers they wont have the MD in the end of the drive flange, just a round cylinder style drive flange.

Such a useful post. I'll see myself out....

depending of who, what, when and where will account for many possibilites. I was under the impression that all MD lockers were sold with axles and flanges, but could be wrong for the early versions when it was just RRC and good old 110's. These were when things were still simple and made a bit better. The earlier MD locker axles had the same spline and spline length on the drive flange end as stock, so a stock flange would fit on a MD locker axle. It wasnt until later that Mal extended the spline length to reduce fretting and wear, which BTW was probably brought about by LR going to grease lubed wheel bearings and owners not regulary servicing the spline at DF/axle.

So yes it is possible.

My hi-tough axles ride in standard flanges but I have a Detroit locker not MD. I think Bearman runs an MD locker with standard flanges. The standard flanges may be a bit weaker or wear faster, but they still hold the oil in if the cap isn't damaged.