Arb locker seal fail

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

I installed front and rear lockers on my car from new, and done approx 11,000ks. Ive activated my lockers maybe 5 times and had them and the car for approx 1.5 years.
About a week ago i noticed that oil had passed through the solenoid and made a mess in my engine bay. I disconnected both airlines and cycled my compressor to try and remove some of the oil my compressor sucked back up.

I called ARB and booked my car in only to find out that the earliest time they can look at the car is 3 weeks away, not to mention they dont know if this problem will be covered under warranty!!! I hope in this time, i dont cause further damage to my diff or compressor.
I emailed head office last Friday to let them know im pretty disappointed this happened 11,000ks into having them installed, but havent heard back from them!!!

Has anybody else had this same problem and did ARB cover it under warranty?

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Welcome to owning an ARB locker. Just wait until the diff oil comes into the lines and stinks the vehicle out...

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

I can smell it through the firewall.
I'm just a little pissed at how ARB are so casual about it and are making me wait so long.
I'm driving up to qld right after I get them 'fix' so hope they fix it properly.
I had a mate install a locker on his old 4 runner and it lasted 10 years trouble free ! This doesn't seem to be the case today

[Gramps Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gramps]

Makes an E locker look even more attractive.
Hope you get it sorted 1st time with ARB.

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

When I had mine installed recently they said the diff oil needs to be changed at 1000k's to check and see if everything is lined up correctly and if there's any filings in it. They said the filings can block up a something? which then sends the oil back into the compressor.
Pretty crap but I'll keep an eye on it.


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[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

Yeah they told me the same

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

X3... The diff oil was a grey sludge which was found during a service to change all oils (160k) I was also advised to be sure to engage the locker every couple of weeks if not going off road. This is to ensure that the seals stay lubricated....(apparently)

[juc33_prado Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close juc33_prado]

X3... The diff oil was a grey sludge which was found during a service to change all oils (160k) I was also advised to be sure to engage the locker every couple of weeks if not going off road. This is to ensure that the seals stay lubricated....(apparently)

always love that answer with anything mechanical, oldest excuse for warranty avoidance possible...

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

always love that answer with anything mechanical, oldest excuse for warranty avoidance possible...

it even says it in the manual for the centre diff too. wonder how many soccer mum Prados have never had the centre diff engaged?

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

The seal that leaks doesn't move with air pressure in an ARB locker, it is a rotational seal that separates an airway from the rest of the diff. Every time the diff centre turns, wether it's locked or not, the seal is required to work and thus is lubricated. It is a good idea to operate all moving 4wd parts at least once a month or so. This includes centre diff lock, low range, etc. The movement does help everything stay moving freely, and also ensures you find any fault that may have occurred (like actuator failure) before you really need it.

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

I got told that i DONT need to Engage my lockers at all to keep everything lubricated as it doesnt make a difference.. Personally i think its the fitters who arent trained properly to fit these. Either that or ARB are skimping on quality.

I cant imagine diff oil sitting in my compressor for 3 weeks being good for it.

[kevdebbi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kevdebbi]

At least it won't rust Glad I got the Elocker. My brothers Nissan Navara D40 had to have the ARB airlock repaired twice in 3 years, both something to do with seals or airlines (not caused by track damage).

[robynathan25 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close robynathan25]

Just a dumb questions Guys..I'm a newbie in 4 wheel driving but verymuch interested in E locker ..is it applicable to install in GXL Prado 150 series with manual transmission?

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Had air lockers in several cars. Oil has always made its way up the line. More so on the latest one in my VX. a simple way to avoid the smell is to put a fitting the same as the diff line on the exhaust port of the small valve and push a line in and route it under the chassis. Aim the line so not to spray the oil on anything. The oil will not go back in your compressor.
The oil will always leak past 'o' rings. If no oil goes part the seal it will overheat and fail. I am sure a lot of diffs have failed due to rough fitters damaging the seal surface.

Rusty.

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

Yes you can install an E locker