Thread: MaxiDrive stuck on

The actuator is designed to switch the vacuum from engage to disengage, moving the engagement dog with a fork. The light is powered (negative earth loop) when the dog strikes the contact in the actuator box. If the light is out and locker engaged there is a problem with the light wiring.

I have an installation diagram and will attach it when in front of a PC.

if you need to disengage, unscrew the 4 retaining bolts on the actuator housing on the diff tube. The box will house the fork and you should see a sliding dog in the axle tube. Be careful. There is a detent for the disengage position to stop the dog sliding into engage. Its held in place with a spring. It can fall out if you are not paying attention.

Use your fingers to pull the dog out of the diff centre. If its tight, lift a wheel to take the tension off the centre. To re-assemble line the fork in the dog sleeve ( it will be obvious where it should be). I used a dob of grease in the actuator box to hold the spring in place on re-assembly.

I found a copy of the original maxi drive installation guide for the rear locker - is that the diagram you're referring to?

This might help

Installation instructions.pdfmaxi parts.jpgMaxiDriveRearInstall.pdf

Not familiar with Maxi drives, but my experience with another brand of auto locker was that it was sometimes necessary to back up a certain distance for it to unlock.

Originally Posted by MLD

This might help

Installation instructions.pdfmaxi parts.jpgMaxiDriveRearInstall.pdf

That's great - thanks. Much better understanding of how it works now.

I'm thinking there may be a small leak on the vacuum line to retract the actuator. I'm reasonably confident the wiring for the indication light is fine as every time I 'engage' the diff, the light comes on - and when I 'disengage' the diff the light goes off. So possibly the actuating cylinder is only retracting a little bit - enough to break the short to earth but not enough to move the dog clutch far enough to disengage the diff lock.

The Maxi's I have for my pos have been modded to activate on pressure rather than vacuum. Not sure what the advantage was thought to be.

As MLD said, get familiar with the actuator using the diagrams so you know where the detent spring and ball are so you don't lose them if you remove the actuator from the diff housing.

I have a pdf of the written installation instructions, if you need it just pm an email address.

DL