How do 4x4 lockers work

For example, some vehicles have a limited-slip differential LSD from factory, and therefore it may be a wise decision to opt for a locker in the front and leave the rear unchanged. According to Mark Berger, rear lockers will give you best bang for buck, as the rear suspension will flex more and keep in contact with the ground, keeping that all-important momentum going.

But front lockers can also restrict your steering ability when weight is over the front axle i. A third — and more effective — option is to install lockers on both the front and rear differentials. The job of a limited-slip differential is to direct power or drive away from the wheel with less traction and send it toward the opposite wheel on the same axle. When disengaging, the magnet is released and the locking plate returns to its unlocked position by the means of a return spring.

The ELocker is designed and manufactured in Australia, with the unit CNC-precision machined and featuring precision-forged and heat-treated gears.

Front or rear? E-lockers or Air lockers? Air Lockers ARB is the leading air locker brand worldwide. E-Lockers Harrop E-Lockers use an electromagnet to lock the differential by pulling two roller cams apart, and use bearings to maintain the separation. E-Lockers are fitted as OE standard equipment by Toyota and other manufacturers. Or both? If you cannot find what you are looking for, get in touch and we will try our best to help. We accept PayPal. My Account. Sign In New Customer? Sign Up. Account Orders Wish Lists.

It could well be that your 4X4 comes with a diff-lock on the rear axle, or on both axles. We call vehicles with front and rear diff-locks twin locked. Not all versions of all 4X4s have diff-locks.

Look for a button like this on a Nissan Y62 Patrol. Keep an eye out for that one. The differential itself means that two wheels on an axle can be driven at different speeds, but that means one wheel on an axle could spin when it loses traction, causing a lack of progress. The locker fixes that problem by eliminating the differential effect.

There are two types, most are manual, but some are automatic. Table of Contents Hide Understanding diff-locks is one of the fundamentals of driving 4X4s, so what is a diff-lock and when do I use it? Can I fit an aftermarket diff-lock to my 4X4? And should I? Which cars have diff-locks as standard?

Automatic diff locks will engage automatically when traction is lost. The diff lock will release once traction has been regained. Some automatic locking diffs will only disengage once one wheel is required to spin faster than the others. Manual diff locks put the driver in control, enabling them to decide when and if extra traction is required. There are various types of manual diff locks, most of which are worked using a switch on the dashboard or gearstick. These either work with compressed air, an electromagnet or are cable-operated.

When your differential is locked, your vehicle will want to drive in a straight line, making corners difficult. Listen to your vehicle and do not put undue stress on it, otherwise you could cause serious damage to the axles.