Auto Locker Question

[cruzinnboozn]

I have just installed a new auto locker in the front of a 75 series.

With hubs unlocked and in neutral, should i be able to spin the front tail shaft?

[91Mav]

Yes. Both hubs will obviously need to be unlocked.

[alecl]

I have a question too, sorry for the hijack
I was wondering if the hubs are in but it is in 2wd, does it make it harder to steer??? Or is that only if hubs are in and in 4wd??
Thanks, Alec

[91Mav]

I have a question too, sorry for the hijack
I was wondering if the hubs are in but it is in 2wd, does it make it harder to steer??? Or is that only if hubs are in and in 4wd??
Thanks, Alec

As there's no torque being sent to the front, it should allow for wheel speed differentiation. That said, I wouldn't leave the hubs locked.

[thrashlux]

Answer to original question is yes if both unlocked and in neutral shaft should turn by hand

answer to hijack question is yes it will make it harder to steer if driving in 2wd as the diff will have to unlock (this take torque build up) before the wheels can move at different speeds

cheers

jonathan

[91Mav]

answer to hijack question is yes it will make it harder to steer if driving in 2wd as the diff will have to unlock (this take torque build up) before the wheels can move at different speeds

Do you think it takes much "torque build up" to compress those little springs?

[thrashlux]

answer to hijack question is yes it will make it harder to steer if driving in 2wd as the diff will have to unlock (this take torque build up) before the wheels can move at different speeds

Do you think it takes much "torque build up" to compress those little springs?

yep
how do you think it works?

auto lockers remain locked all the time until one wheel wants to go further than the other
once this happens enough torque is developed to compress those little springs you speak of
and let it ratchet past
weather the diff is driving or not you still need to develop enough force(torque) to unlock it

so obviously you drive around on the tar and fast dirt with you front hubs in,in 2wd and cannot feel a thing hey!!!!!
you know ,because they are only little springs
and mechanical advantage does not exist in your truck just everyone elses

[91Mav]

They work by the cross shaft forcing the drivers onto their couplers when torque is applied. Not by the springs The springs stop the drivers and couplers slapping around and damaging the inner axle spline.

until one wheel wants to go further than the other

Umm. That's what happens when you turn a corner, champ.

so obviously you drive around on the tar and fast dirt with you front hubs in,in 2wd and cannot feel a thing hey!!!!!

If you read my original reply to the hijack, you'll see I wrote, "That said, I wouldn't leave the hubs locked"

because they are only little springs and mechanical advantage does not exist in your truck just everyone elses

The only mechanical advantage there really is the the 80 degree step on the side of the gears where the drivers and couplers lock. I'm not taking the piss here cause I see your point but, even the leverage from small 31" tyres has more mechanical advantage then the small amount of preload that the springs place on the drivers. How many people drive around with auto lockers in the rear and can coast easily around corners if there's no torque applied? I did in a previous truck. The same applies to the front.

[thrashlux]

no war starting intended and i can see your point as well
your are correct in saying it will be easier 4x2 than if it were in 4x4 and loaded
but you do have to agree that it will be harder than if the hubs are out yeah?
the orginal (hijack)question was will it be harder to steer in 2wd with the hubs in
and the anwser is yes.. agreed??? go try it some time
or try this ...jack up your truck get your mate to hold one wheel and you try and turn the other there is some force required to unlock it and you do feel it thru the steering

as for why can trucks coast around corners with rear lockers well that as no bearing on this at all because you wont feel it at all
because you are not steering with those wheels and there would be some slight force there required also bit its only slight and then its unlocked right??

no piss take intended either

jonathan

[91Mav]

All good mate. I agree that it would be slightly harder to steer and that it's possible to feel the gears unlock through the steering wheel... Just not in a lifted GQ with plenty of bump steer

[thrashlux]

All good mate. I agree that it would be slightly harder to steer and that it's possible to feel the gears unlock through the steering wheel... Just not in a lifted GQ with plenty of bump steer

yep that would be the case