[toastysteve]

Hey guys,
Quick question (that I don't think has been asked before).
I went to change my rear diff oil on my SJ70 WT the other day, and got a heap of metal come out with the oil, so I guess my diff is shot.
I haven't removed it yet, so I'm not quite sure how badly it's damaged yet.

My question is, I've been thinking about getting a rear locker anyway.
Do any/all lockers replace the diff centre?
Basically, could I just get a Spartan locker (or some such) whack that in and not have to worry about diff repairs/replacement?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, my diff knowledge is poor at best.

[Fatzook]

Yes, most lockers replace the centre. But "bits of metal" can come from anything. They could be parts of the bearings, axles or ring and pinion gears. If its the gears, you'll need to replace them, regarless of fitting a new locker.

[zooky08]

Locker replaces center. Youll need to put new carrier bearings on. Wont replace your crown wheel which is likely going to be were the metal has came from.

Beat me fz

[toastysteve]

Going by the size and shape, it looks like a couple of teeth from the pinion gears.
Good to know though. I'll pop the diff off sometime this week and work out what's gone wrong. Hopefully I can just get one of those rebuild kits to sort myself out.
Cheers guys.

[Trypt]

Im in exactly the same situation.
although i didnt have chunks of metal just Shite loads of fine metallic shavings.
Im going to be getting a chinasoong air locker, new ring and pinion and bearing kit.

[toastysteve]

Out of curiosity, why did you choose to go with a Chinasoong air locker?

[Rusho]

toastysteve wrote:

Out of curiosity, why did you choose to go with a Chinasoong air locker?

$$$$'s...much cheaper

[toastysteve]

Hahaha that'll do it then.
How do you work out which locker is right? Their site - http://www.chinasoong.com/Air-Locker.htm Doesn't seem to list compatible models on each one, and there are no prices either. :S

[Rusho]

They use the exact same part numbers as ARB, someone will chime in soon I'm sure. I don't know the numbers sorry

[toastysteve]

No worries. I'll do some investigating myself.

[Trypt]

Yep exactly. $$$$ less than half the cost of the arb.

RD88 fits sierra rear and front if you get chromo's

$499 + 185 p/h

comes with everything needed to install, except bearings and ring and pinion.
unlike a spartan or aussie locker air lockers replace the whole centre, not just the spider gears.

[toastysteve]

Is it a pretty straight forward install?
Do you have to buy bearings, ring and pinion separately, or can you grab them off your current diff centre (if they're in decent nick)?

[zooky08]

toastysteve wrote:

Is it a pretty straight forward install?
Do you have to buy bearings, ring and pinion separately, or can you grab them off your current diff centre (if they're in decent nick)?

Can reuse if in good nick.

[toastysteve]

Trypt wrote:

Yep exactly. $$$$ less than half the cost of the arb.

RD88 fits sierra rear and front if you get chromo's

$499 + 185 p/h

comes with everything needed to install, except bearings and ring and pinion.
unlike a spartan or aussie locker air lockers replace the whole centre, not just the spider gears.

Apparently RD75 or RD73 is the right model for a sierra. Anyone else had any experience with these? Decent quality steel etc?

What are chromo's?

[toastysteve]

This mob also say they except only T/T payments. I think that's like Direct Deposit.
That's a bit dodge. Has anyone had any problems?

[Trypt]

Tt is the international version of direct deposit.
Chromo = chrome moly cv and axle
trillion times stronger than standard and have the same spline count as rear

[atari4x4]

22 pages of china lockers, happy reading viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16760&hilit=china+locker

[toastysteve]

Hahaha thanks mate.

[toastysteve]

So I've pulled my diff and ordered a chinasong locker. Turns out my pinion gears are the cause of the problem and there's a bit of wear and tear on the crown ring.

Anyone know where to order some replacements from? I've spent a good hour looking round without much result.

[Fatzook]

Buy a decent front diff centre (second hand )

[toastysteve]

Cheers. I'll have a look around. Do WT's use the same centre as NT's? Any other models I could possibly plunder from? I.e. Vitara? 1L?

[Fatzook]

What ratio is your current diff? If your R&P's are worn, then you need to replace them with the same ratio.

[toastysteve]

4.1 if my understanding is correct. There are 41 teeth on the crown anyway.

[Gwagensteve]

It's pretty unlikely they're 4.1. It's possible, but unlikely.

The "normal" ratio for a wide track is 3.7
There's a list of pinion/ring gear tooth counts and ratios on here somewhere.

Steve.

[atari4x4]

toastysteve wrote:

4.1 if my understanding is correct. There are 41 teeth on the crown anyway.

now divide that by the number of teeth on the pinion.

[toastysteve]

3.7 it is.
The search begins!

[toastysteve]

Another question for you knowledgeable chaps.
I can't seem to find any second hand diff centres ANYWHERE.
Well that's not true. The one I have found the feller wanted $500 for. I've been quoted $450 for a new one...

I was wondering what's involved in changing the diff ratio? I imagine I'd have to do to the front what I do to the back?
It's just Low Range Off Road sell kits for $190 each... If that's the only real cost involved, then cheaper than buying a replacement centre.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.ph ... gears.html

[SierraDan]

$380 for the gear sets + postage. Then the effort to build them.
I know i'd rather get a new centre for the same price haha.


But if you're patient or resourceful you can get them dirt cheap. I wont pay any more than $50 for a 3.7

[toastysteve]

By resourceful do you mean build my own out of a roll of dental floss and a coke bottle, MacGyver style?

Given that I've got a locker to install anyway, it might not be such a big deal.
As long as there aren't any additional bits and pieces required...

[SierraDan]

Resourceful: good at finding diff centres