ARB Locker drawbacks??

[Thai]

I have always recommended the ARB locker, but then i read some interesting drawbacks on it:

1. It can freeze (because of the inherent water in lines with compressed air)

2. There is no lubrication for the slave cylinder

my notes: not sure the relevance of this maybe the parts will wear out quicker without any lube???

3. The concern is the 2 O-rings inside the diff, they will bleed air and let the locker disengage quickly when the compressor is switched off

my notes: this is OK because most lockers that i know do not stay locked reliably for long periods when ignition is off. I think that you can wire the ARB compressor to work independently of the car ignition.

4. Those O-rings wear out at a rate that they need to be replaced every 2-3 years. A service to replace a $2.50 part requiring a complete axle tear down (in the front with hub tear down) and partial differential disassembly

What do you guys think of these drawbacks?? My biggest concern is #4...that seems like a PIA...kinda makes me prefer the electronic locker that comes on the 2009 Trail Edition and FJ Cruisers.

 

[techno]

What was your source for this stuff?

 

[fourwd1]

Been running ARBs front and rear for years with none of those problems.

And you can wire up the compressor anyway you want.
But why would you even have a need for it to be locked for a long period when the IGN is Off?

 

[Thai]

And you can wire up the compressor anyway you want.
But why would you even have a need for it to be locked for a long period when the IGN is Off?

I don't know...it was mentioned...i guess that if you locked your axles and stop midway up a steep hill (for whatever reason, you also turn off ignition), then you have less chance of sliding down since all wheels are locked together???

Techno...source? It is the off-road instructor...he has a site: 4x4abc.com.

 

[techno]

Thats a cool site, lots of good info.

I had an Air Locker for 6 years and never had any issues except for a reservoir seal on the compressor, and that just meant that the unit needed to recharge more often than normal. The slave cylinder is made from a self lubricating material (like Lubricomp) and is not an issue. Given the small amount of travel that part has and the frequency that it is used, it's going to take probably 100 years for that part to show any kind of adverse wear.
I've only had good experiences with air lockers would recommend them to anyone. I never had one freeze up on me, but that was in Australia and you can probably guess the number of times it saw freezing conditions there.
I've never owned an electric locker so I can't comment on their service. I've heard that the actuators are more likely to fail than an air operated unit, but I haven't had any experience to back that up.

 

[Thai]

Thats a cool site, lots of good info.

I had an Air Locker for 6 years and never had any issues except for a reservoir seal on the compressor, and that just meant that the unit needed to recharge more often than normal. The slave cylinder is made from a self lubricating material (like Lubricomp) and is not an issue. Given the small amount of travel that part has and the frequency that it is used, it's going to take probably 100 years for that part to show any kind of adverse wear.
I've only had good experiences with air lockers would recommend them to anyone. I never had one freeze up on me, but that was in Australia and you can probably guess the number of times it saw freezing conditions there.
I've never owned an electric locker so I can't comment on their service. I've heard that the actuators are more likely to fail than an air operated unit, but I haven't had any experience to back that up.

Yeah, like you, i was surprised to hear these issues....

 

[PaulSula]

So I guess my question is, why not get an electronic locker? And, has anyone done a retrofit of the electronic locker on the trail edition to an older (2004) runner?

 

[Falls]

I would prefer that myself , but I don't know if the FJ locker would work for the 4R . Since the TE is not out for the 4R .

Mostly a concern for some maybe the ability to handle the V8 since it's only offered in a V6.

Just a thought