Automatic Diff Lockers will detect when traction is being lost and will automatically lock. It will unlock again when it detects that traction has been regained.
Interestingly, some automatic lockers work by permanently locking the differential and only unlocking it when one wheel is required to spin faster than the axel. These types of lockers will not allow a wheel to spin slower than the axel and drive mechanism. Manual Diff Lockers enable the driver of the vehicle to select when the differential is locked and when it unlocks. When the diff is unlocked it provides the full driveability of a normal open differential but gives the driver the capability to choose when the extra traction is required.
Examples of manual lockers are the ABR AirLocker which works with compressed air, the Eaton ELocker which used an electromagnet, and the Ox-Locker which uses a mechanical, cable-operated mechanism o lock the differential.
With the differentials locked and all wheels spinning at the same speed, the tendency of the vehicle will be to go straight, even when you turn the steering wheel.
This occurs particularly when the front diff is locked. So be careful there. Surfaces such as solid rock or paved roads will grip the tyres. When you turn, the wheels will all want to spin at different speeds. As you continue to corner, incredible strain will be placed on the driveline of your vehicle and will eventually cause things to break. This is called wind-up. So make sure you unlock your diffs and get out of 4wd before you hit the black-top.
Have you ever pretended to know how a differential works but secretly had no idea? Having your tyres stick out from the body of your vehicle is illegal in most states in Australia. This is the case when your tyres have a width that is…. Can you put mud tires on a 2WD truck?
What are mud tires, and what do they do? If you are driving through a particularly uneven or slippery track it is common for at least one wheel to slip or be raised in the air. As the wheel spins wildly in the air or on the slippery surface, the diff recognizes this as much easier to rotate, than the one gripping solidly to the ground.
Therefore, the wheel with traction that would potentially drive us out, is left without power, while its opposite wheel uselessly spins. This is where the mighty diff lock comes into play! This allows not only the wheel without traction to continue to spin in the hope of gaining traction, but more importantly, begins to drive the well-grounded wheel. Remember the original function of a diff on road, for turning corners? Well this applies off-road as well. Although the diff-lock is great for when we lose traction, it can often fight against us when we need to corner for our next obstacle.
So it is always important to only use your diff lock when necessary, and wherever possible, let the diff do its job. For most off-roading situations, the diff-lock is not necessary. Sometimes, the answer to wheel spin, can be as simple as reversing back and trying a new path, putting Maxtrax or other objects under the wheel to improve traction, or simply breaking out the recovery gear or shovel and getting through the old fashioned way.
Therefore, your differential lock provides a traction control system and is a key component to preventing wheel spin, which can prove a life saver in treacherous driving conditions, such as snow or ice. First, a diff lock should not be engaged for on road driving, unless weather conditions such as snow or ice mean that extra traction is required. Use your locking differential when you want to go off road, for driving on difficult terrain, such as dirt, gravel, mud or snow.
You will only need to engage your locking differential when you need extra traction, so you may only use it for a few moments on each off road adventure. There are two types of locking differentials — automatic and manual.
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.
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