Diff lock doesn't seem to be working...

[narked]

Whilst messing about in my 300tdi trying to kill some boredom in work today, I ended up with one wheel spinning. No problem, I thought to myself, I shall put it into diff lock! Pushed the little lever over to the left, and tried to reverse out. And, lo and behold, the same wheel simply continued to spin.

So, the diff lock isn't engaging. Nor do I get an illuminated indicator. Any suggestions? Could it possibly (please say yes) be something simple I can fix myself, or is it a big job?

Cheers

[beast5680]

you should get a light come on to tell you its in but you can spin one wheel on each axle even with difflock engaged
get under neath and get someone to move the lever so you can check the linkage is all moving or connected

[narked]

Only one wheel was spinning at the time, and no light comes on.

[beast5680]

sounds like its not going in then you,ll need to get under and check the linkage first its not unknown for it to come adrift if it gets stiff

[narked]

Ok, ta. Will have a nosey at that in the morning. Is that an under-the-car job, or a console out job?

[Ralph]

You will probably find it is going into difflock and the bulb is shot or maybe even the sensor for it.
To tell for sure if it is locking, engage difflock then try turning in a circle on full steering lock either way and you should feel and or hear it scuffing the tyres if on tarmac.
Believe you will notice a difference, do a circle without difflock then try with it on.

[narked]

Surely a single spinning wheel indicates diff lock isn't engaging?

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

No, as difflock is the centre diff - it means that drive will be equally applied to both axles.  Unless you have lockers in the axles, one wheel can spin on each.

If this wasn't the case, there'd be no market for locking diffs

[narked]

But the rear wheels should still be giving me drive if one of the front wheels is spinning, which they weren't, hence me thinking the diff lock isn't engaging.

[extreme90]

if just the 1 wheel on its own was spinning then it isnt in difflock  :roll:  :roll:
if it was in difflock it would transmit 50% of the drive down the the rear axle and one if not both of the rear wheels would be spinning aswel,
so if just the one is spinning then it isnt in difflock as all the drive is being sent to the spinning wheel

try have a rear difflock engaged and then try do a circle  :shock: ...its none existant

is the lever stiff or slack ?

dan

[narked]

Doesn't seem to be. Will try to have a look at the linkage tomorrow if I get chance.

[extreme90]

could be that the pivot pin at the top has lost its clip and the pin has droped out so the lever doesnt do anything, altho it feels like it is

they have a tendancy to do that  :roll:  and at the worst possable moments  :oops:

dan

[ChrisW]

Is the disco relatively new to you? Its not uncommon for the linkage to seize up due to not being used. Copious amounts of WD40 and wiggling the lever/linkages usually helps.

First thing is to check the linkages are moving - from underneath try and position yourself so that you can look up where the front prop connects and get someone to move the lever across. It's probably easier to get your hand up and feel where the linkage connects onto the top of the transfer box to see if it is moving (it's even easier without the front prop on as you can get your head up to see!)

Don't forget a torch  

[narked]

Well due to having to strip the console out to faff with the transfer lever linkage, I had a look at the diff lock linkage. All seems to be working correctly, but is definately not engaging the diff lock.

[JimsMowing]

Well due to having to strip the console out to faff with the transfer lever linkage, I had a look at the diff lock linkage. All seems to be working correctly, but is definately not engaging the diff lock.

Evening.

As you have had the centre consol out, i can only presume youve taken the rivet plated cover off to see the linkage. From there you should be able to see the linkage move over to the far left. If it doesnt do this then i dont hink your engaging in diff lock. You should visibly see the rod move over to the left.

The other thing i would suggest is that it might be possible that someone has had a fiddle before and not fixed it correctly. Their is a splined "cog" that has a clamped fitment that goes over the spline. This is turn is then linked to the top of the gearbox where it selects high/low ratio and difflock. If the splines are not set up correctly the amount of leverage your able to get may be reduced and have a bearing effect on selecting one of the gear variables of difflock / high /low range.

Apologies for lack of articulation but its all i could remember to get mine working correctly!

Good luck with it!