Locking the front diff

[solarman216]

Looking for ideas here, has anyone permanently locked a diff, I am going to do this to the front diff on the off road motor, but having seen the results of the front hubs that were welded up and subsequently fractured the cog teeth leaving little bits of hardened steel bits rolling around in the hub, I am not now going to just weld the planet gears as was my first though, as these teeth are hard I fear the same may result as the hubs, and I do not want extra bits running round in my diff, my thoughts are to insert bits of steel into the gears through the 4 access holes and weld them to the rotating carrier which will take weld without problems, the problem is the access holes are smaller than the dimension needed to fit nicely into the gears to effectively lock them, I did loosely think about filling the whole carrier with molten lead, but think that it would not last long being soft, but did wonder about a two part mix hard resin, any thoughts anybody, makeitfit you must have some ideas, Rick

 

[stinka]

One of these for £350, do it proper

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=29

 

[solarman216]

One of these for £350, do it proper

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=29

Yes I know, but I only gave £110 for the motor, and it is only a play thing, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

hmmmm, I've only thought about buying a LOKKA for the front diff, which works in a way like a LSD thus allowing some steerage.
My solution though for offroad fun and success at PnP sites has been to go for maximising flex and big 35" tyres. So I've got more ground/diff clearance.
Aggressive mud tyres and not too wide for the porridge you're playing in :lol
POWER also helps as does booting the arse end round in 2wd in tight spots and hairpins etc.
Sorry Rick you're on your own I think, good luck:thumb2

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

been said before, though recall wont is move lsd to front
and weld rear diff.

are you sure even on a off roader only would want fully
locked front with no option to be open?

surely relys on been on slippy ground all the time as will
attempt to create some serious wind up that only tyre
slip will release.

 

[stinka]

I think even with an lad u will need arms like the hulk, perhaps ok on slippy mud but after massive research I came to view the lokka is the only viable option and fwh's are a must for any road driving

 

[solarman216]

been said before, though recall wont is move lsd to front
and weld rear diff.

are you sure even on a off roader only would want fully
locked front with no option to be open?

surely relys on been on slippy ground all the time as will
attempt to create some serious wind up that only tyre
slip will release.

As said before most of the time I can use 2 wheel specially with the tyres I have now but when I need 4 wheel, I NEED 4 WHEEL even the LSD is not up to it, so was thinking of locking that up as well but far too much work to get it out, so thinking of putting crap oil in it to increase plate friction, as for steering it is non existent when I need traction any way forward is good, the tracks that I am in steer for me, Rick

 

[solarman216]

I should point out that the welded hubs have been removed and working auto lockers fitted, so when in 2 wheel on firmer ground there will be no wind up as the front diff will not even be turning, only when 4 wheel is engaged will it come into use, Rick

 

[melissachels]

my thoughts are to insert bits of steel into the gears through the 4 access holes and weld them to the rotating carrier which will take weld without problems, the problem is the access holes are smaller than the dimension needed to fit nicely into the gears to effectively lock them

could u not get steel of different diameters similafr to the suspension lift idea except the obvious differance is size, place them from the inside of the diff thru the holes and weld them 2gether where the rods meet?? :nenau no idea if it is possible but its a thought

 

[solarman216]

Well engine back in the off roader today so started work on the diff, and decided that it has to be stripped to do any sort of reasonable job on it, so here it is, made 8 of these wedges, fitted them and bolted it back together, you can see two of them in this pic, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Now it is all bolted up, am thinking that just in case one decides to break loose that I ought to stick some weld on them as a precaution, and I may consider filling the whole cluster with molten lead as well, I did consider molten brass but have not got enough gas for that, any other thoughts will be welcome, there are a lot forces at work in that lump, incidentally does anyone know if the rear LSD is the same as this one, as it would be easy to fit if it is and I have one on the scrapper, it is the type fitted from the front, no rear inspection plate, Rick

 

[briggie]

well...... ive absolutely no idea what im looking at there rick , but it looks good ..... well done :thumb2

 

[rayf3262]

incidentally does anyone know if the rear LSD is the same as this one, as it would be easy to fit if it is and I have one on the scrapper, it is the type fitted from the front, no rear inspection plate, Rick

I don't think they will be the same, the rear is often an H233 and the front an R180. The numbers 233 & 180 I believe refer to the diameter of the ring gear in mm.

 

[solarman216]

I don't think they will be the same, the rear is often an H233 and the front an R180. The numbers 233 & 180 I believe refer to the diameter of the ring gear in mm.

Thanks Ray, I suspected as much, my front one certainly measures 180, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

Rick I did look into LSD up front , the R180 lsd can also be found in some of the Subarus. Got rather complicated for me but a man of your caliber :augie
Any scrappies near you ?

 

[solarman216]

Rick I did look into LSD up front , the R180 lsd can also be found in some of the Subarus. Got rather complicated for me but a man of your caliber :augie
Any scrappies near you ?

Yes a couple of good ones, I will try and investigate, in the mean time this one locked up will suffice, if it survives, time will tell, Rick

 

[briggie]

lsd front and rear could be a very interesting project :naughty

 

[solarman216]

lsd front and rear could be a very interesting project :naughty

Trouble is even if the Suberu diff is the same the splines on the half shafts could well be different, which means changing the sun wheels and that is probably not an option, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

That's why I gave up, it's too big a can of worms for me
It was achievable but when a LOKKA was 300 quid ish I couldn't see the point for me.

 

[stinka]

Yep, I will fit a lokka before the year is out