Diff locks - quick clarification required!

[BigJL]

Hello all,

I'm trying to explain Diff locks to someone in the simplest way possible. Can you guys please have a look at this below and see if I've missed anything and if my question marks are correct?

4-WHEEL DRIVE (NO LOCKS)
1 wheel (front or rear) loses traction = STUCK (only spinning wheel gets power).

CENTRE LOCKED
1 wheel (let's say rear) loses traction = OK (both front still get drive - swap for front losing traction).
2 front or 2 rear wheels lose traction = OK (remaining wheels get drive).
1 front and 1 rear loses traction = STUCK (both wheels with no traction spin).

REAR LOCKED

1 or 2 front wheels lose traction = OK (both rear wheels drive).
1 or 2 front wheels and 1 rear wheel lose traction = OK (remaining rear gets drive).
2 rear wheels lose traction = STUCK (no power goes to the front, centre lock would be needed... OR does 1 front still get power?)

Thanks!
J

[SlimJim16v]

BigJL said:

Hello all,

I'm trying to explain Diff locks to someone in the simplest way possible. Can you guys please have a look at this below and see if I've missed anything and if my question marks are correct?

4-WHEEL DRIVE (NO LOCKS)
1 wheel (front or rear) loses traction = STUCK (only spinning wheel gets power).

CENTRE LOCKED
1 wheel (let's say rear) loses traction = OK (both front still get drive - swap for front losing traction).
2 front or 2 rear wheels lose traction = OK (remaining wheels axle gets drive).
1 front and 1 rear loses traction = STUCK (both wheels with no traction spin).

REAR LOCKED

1 or 2 front wheels lose traction = OK (both rear wheels drive) STUCK.
1 or 2 front wheels and 1 rear wheel lose traction = OK (remaining rear gets drive) STUCK.
2 rear wheels lose traction = STUCK (no power goes to the front, centre lock would be needed... OR does 1 front still get power?)

Thanks!
J

Corrected for you.

[LandRoverManiac]

BigJL said:

Hello all,

I'm trying to explain Diff locks to someone in the simplest way possible. Can you guys please have a look at this below and see if I've missed anything and if my question marks are correct?

4-WHEEL DRIVE (NO LOCKS)
1 wheel (front or rear) loses traction = STUCK (only spinning wheel gets power).

CENTRE LOCKED
1 wheel (let's say rear) loses traction = OK (both front still get drive - swap for front losing traction).
2 front or 2 rear wheels lose traction = OK (remaining wheels get drive).
1 front and 1 rear loses traction = STUCK (both wheels with no traction spin).

REAR LOCKED

1 or 2 front wheels lose traction = OK (both rear wheels drive).
1 or 2 front wheels and 1 rear wheel lose traction = OK (remaining rear gets drive).
2 rear wheels lose traction = STUCK (no power goes to the front, centre lock would be needed... OR does 1 front still get power?)

Thanks!
J

Pretty much on the money aside from the rears.

With a rear diff lock - the fronts will only get drive if a central diff is fitted and locked as well (thus shunting half the power to the front) - otherwise the drive will take the path of least resistance and go straight to the spinning rear axle.

If you manage to get yourself stuck with a centre locking diff AND a rear locking diff - then you're probably in the kind of terrain where tracks rather than wheels would be a better idea!

Edit - Ah - someone got there first!