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Air locker probs.

General Tech Talk

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Air locker probs.

Post by ausyota »

I got my airlocker install in my lux finished tonight...
It went well for about 10mins :cry: now air is pissing out the diff breather and the compressor is running non stop while locked.
I suspect its the O rings. the locker is second hand and Im wondering if the orings might have been a bit worn, when I installed them they slid on pretty easy, should they be a really tight fit to slide on?

Im a bit pissed off caus I tested the locker before I put it in and I tested it staight after I bolted it in... But after 10 min 4wding it has failed :x

It does still lock in, I think the compressor can just keep up.
Is it OK to run it like this temporarilly? (Im in a comp this weekend and dont have time to fix it tomorow) Apart from the fact that the compressor might go into meltdown. Will I damage the locker or diff? What happens if Im "getting it on" with a rock or log or somthing and the locker disengages? Will it fawk up the diff?
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
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Post by dumbdunce »

unless the orings were visibly worn they should be ok. it's more likely you haven't squared the side air housing up perfectly straight and concentric with the bearing spigot extension. It is cheap and easy to replace them before the locker goes in but if they look ok, they probably are - but installation is super critical and it's easy to stuff up especially if you don't follow the book procedure.

one other alternative is the "U" ring, inside the locker itself. if it was in any way damaged or any dirt or grit got in there it might be passing air through.

a third alternative is that when you installed the centre back into the axle, the hard air line from the bulkhead fitting on the diff case to the side air housing was bent/damaged, and came into contact with the ring gear teeth, which after 10 minutes wore through the bundy tube aloowing air to escape. This might also be the case if you kinked the hard line while installing.

forth, and don't say 'DUH', did you remember to put oil in?? without lubrication the o-rings and u-ring don't seal very well.

in any case, I wouldn't trust it for comp use. it only takes a couple of hours to pull, troubleshoot and reassemble. If you don't have time to do it yourself, pay someone. If that's out of the budget, maybe consider letting the comp spot go to the team reserve.

hope you get it sorted out in time!

Brian
Free air locker to the first 20 callers!
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Post by ausyota »

dumbdunce wrote: it's more likely you haven't squared the side air housing up perfectly straight and concentric with the bearing spigot extension. It is cheap and easy to replace them before the locker goes in but if they look ok, they probably are - but installation is super critical and it's easy to stuff up especially if you don't follow the book procedure.


So what does the book say? I bought this locker second hand and I aint got no book :?
I might try and get the day off from work tomorow and try and fix it.
How do I work out if its "straight and concentric"?
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
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Posts: 6021
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:01 pm
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Post by dumbdunce »

ausyota wrote:
dumbdunce wrote: it's more likely you haven't squared the side air housing up perfectly straight and concentric with the bearing spigot extension. It is cheap and easy to replace them before the locker goes in but if they look ok, they probably are - but installation is super critical and it's easy to stuff up especially if you don't follow the book procedure.


So what does the book say? I bought this locker second hand and I aint got no book :?
I might try and get the day off from work tomorow and try and fix it.
How do I work out if its "straight and concentric"?
Paul.



concentric: fit up the side air housing with the cap screws done up snug but not tight. Run a feeler gauge around between the side air housing and the bearing spigot extension, run it all the way around to make sure there is a clearance all the way around, and do up the cap screws while maintaing the clearance with the feeler gauge.

then you can check that it's straight: the air housing will be hard up against the adjuster nut all the way around, without having to do up the 3 little cap screws too tight. these guys need loctite, if you overtighten them it bends up the inner ring they screw into.

this all has to happen after you've set up the ring and pinion backlash, contact pattern, and carrier bearing preload.

where are you? I might be able to loan you a set of instructions.

cheers

Brian
Free air locker to the first 20 callers!
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Post by ausyota »

[quote="dumbdunce]if you overtighten them it bends up the inner ring they screw into.
[/quote]
OK found the leak. The bundy tube had touched the diff and worn through.
I will replace the O rings anyway while Im fixing the hard line and try to make sure they are centred etc.

The inner ring you speak of is allready a bit bent at the bolt holes in my locker from the previous install. Does this matter? Do I need to try and straighten it?
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
www.teamcarnage.net
Posts: 6021
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:01 pm
Location: Shed.

Post by dumbdunce »

ausyota wrote:OK found the leak. The bundy tube had touched the diff and worn through.
I will replace the O rings anyway while Im fixing the hard line and try to make sure they are centred etc.

The inner ring you speak of is allready a bit bent at the bolt holes in my locker from the previous install. Does this matter? Do I need to try and straighten it?
Paul.


man you had a late night :(

might be too late now but if you're going to ARB to get a new side air housing to replace the bundy tube, might as well get a new ring doodad too. you could try and straighten the old one, if it isn't too mongoloid that should work, but they can snap if they are too bent and then it's all yuck.

I hope you're not going to just patch up the bundy tube.
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Post by bru21 »

if you bearings have insufficient preload (not tight enough or stuffed) the centre can wobble and vent air.

cheers

bru
ADHD Racing would like to thank
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
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Post by ausyota »

Will have to just try and straighten it tonight (ARB is a long way from my house :) ).
I am just going to get a new bit of bundy tube silver soldered on at work today.
Hopefully by late tonight she should be all good :morning:
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
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Post by duncan »

Way to go Paul pulling out all tops to get to the challenge will see you Sunday .This years course is very much harder than last years lots of right foot
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Post by ausyota »

Hmmm :) needs right foot hey...


...I got 2.8 litres of mighty toyota diesel power ;) .
Oh well should be fun.
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
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Posts: 6021
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:01 pm
Location: Shed.

Post by dumbdunce »

how did it all go? locker good? comp good?
Free air locker to the first 20 callers!
Posts: 2944
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 5:47 pm
Location: Manjimup, Western Australia

Post by ausyota »

Locker is GREAT!!!
Comp was FUN!!!
Didnt win or anything but I didnt expect to.
My little IFS lux was in the open class up against the big boys because of my mods.
I came about mid field I think.
Did a little damage (fuel tank mout bolts, rear rancho shock and a slight bend in a front rim) but had a great time.
There is talk of 4 or 5 comps a year over here in WA soon and I will be at em hopefully bigger and better :).

As for the locker I wish I had put one in the day I bought the ute!!!
Best mod ever!!!

I didnt finish up getting the lux ready till 2am friday night then had to leave to drive to the comp at 6am :morning: .
Paul.
R.I.P Brock Fontanini 28-3-06 - 16-2-08
www.teamcarnage.net
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