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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17344

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
MrFlips wrote:
A further idea to ponder, why not fit an Ashcroft Automatic Torque Biasing Limited Slip Differential in the rear instead. (Looks like a nice bit of kit, and I've 95% convinced myself I need one...)


I have one in the front of mine, rear is getting a full locker, either ARB or Ashcroft.
Post #137039 4th Apr 2012 9:30pm
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MrFlips



Member Since: 27 May 2009
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 682

Wales 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Santorini Black
Oooh - I have to admit I'll be hugely interested to hear how you get on with that Blackwolf. Peter
2008 SWB Truck Cab
1952 80" Soft top
Post #137044 4th Apr 2012 9:52pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 4731

Germany 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Baltic Blue
Now this is getting very interesting Thumbs Up Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #137058 4th Apr 2012 11:38pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 4731

Germany 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Baltic Blue
Deleted, due to me repeating myself... as usual Rolling Eyes Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #137059 4th Apr 2012 11:38pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2411

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Detroit lockers are now much softer (less clunking) than before and nothing is prone to fail. ARB is versatile, but you can get a fault on the compressor, fittings, selenoids or carrier seal (unlikely).

Just to confuse you a bit more. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #137061 5th Apr 2012 12:07am
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8580

United Kingdom 
Have an ARB locker in rear axle of red 110 Thumbs Up

Unless you are doing competitions remember axle lockers can get you further into the mire. I try to use ours to get out of minor mire before getting completely stuck in deep mire.


Brendan
Post #137064 5th Apr 2012 5:38am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
blackwolf wrote:
MrFlips wrote:
A further idea to ponder, why not fit an Ashcroft Automatic Torque Biasing Limited Slip Differential in the rear instead. (Looks like a nice bit of kit, and I've 95% convinced myself I need one...)


I have one in the front of mine, rear is getting a full locker, either ARB or Ashcroft.


Blackwolf - are they easy to fit ? DIY job or more complex ?
Post #137070 5th Apr 2012 6:42am
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tatra805



Member Since: 16 Aug 2011
Location: Dolany
Posts: 436

Slovakia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked


Well,… didn’t want to react, way too many discussions on the net where you can find all opinions and discussions.

As i’m in the same boat considering lockers hereby my view and experiences.

First of all I have first hand experience with full lockers, truetracs, Torsen and Quaiffe and LSD. Both on road and off road. Both front/back and or combinations. I give my opinion based on my experiences, I am not a prophet nor do I intend to lecture anybody. Cool

I just don’t understand how a general “ARB is best “ can be the answer to individual needs. Yes ARB is a good locker and the most common one, but also the most common to be installed without real purpose or real need. Whistle


I wont go into quality issues, each one has/had some so no point in trying to find out which is best from that point.
Technical design is something else and there I would really look into to Ashcroft lockers as alternative for ARB and truetrac. (I’m not connected to them in any way, but I have experiences with both and do understand the differences of the ashcrofts which look as they solve the issues from a technical point)

To me the purpose of the locker should define which one is best suited for you, AND again an ARB is not always the right answer.

Another point to consider is if you want preventive or corrective action from the locker.
LSD’s, traction control and manual lockers are corrective, with the benefit of the manual locker that you can anticipate and engage before driving a section.
Iow they react once traction is lost.

Torque biasing lockers are preventive, they react BEFORE traction is lost.
This is fractions of time but in reality I can assure you it makes a big difference.

Google the functional principle of all these diffs before deciding. Study it.

Google truetrac or Ashcroft + Traction Control and you’ll get all the explanation you can get, this seams to be the best combination and described as the benefits of a full locker without the drawbacks. The blacklandy forum has various long topics on this also (in german).

So look at each product in 2 situations:
a. while still moving and avoiding getting to b
b. once stranded/stuck
This is an important point, as driving long distances with a full locker engaged as preventive measure is not a good idea.

Eg, I am pulling trailers in mountains driving on snow, a full locker does not help me. I would be drifting the back if engaged too early or not able to steer when front engaged. And once standing a full locker will in many cases only wiggle the ass of the car but not overcome the inertia of the trailer, or even the car alone as there is not enough GRIP. So for me, I want to keep moving as long as possible BEFORE getting stuck.
Torque biased all the way for me.

If I would be competing then I go full locker, but this also involves strengthening of the other drivetrain components. (ask how I know)

I know it is easy to follow the group but consider your needs carefully.

I went for a truetrac on my discovery before and not a Detroit locker on the back as I found people having problems with the disengaging when turning (eg roudabout) depending on load on the locker (Accelerating too early on a roundabout would leave the locker locked and spin the car on wet tarmac)
Also little assurance what the trailerweight on the back axle would have as influence on this (one says better, other say worse).

For the 110 I’ll take the ashcrofts torque biasing diffs as truetracs have quality issues as reported on the web. This and TC will give me all I need and always, also in an emergency situation, also on wet tarmac driving, also during all my daily driving etc etc. While an ARB would sit switched off 99.9999% of the time.

Just my 2 cents.
Very Happy
Post #137117 5th Apr 2012 11:02am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17344

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
bpman wrote:


Blackwolf - are they easy to fit ? DIY job or more complex ?


Yes, very easy provided that you have a reasonable level of competence. My front diff took me a little under 3 hours start to finish, working solo out of doors in the rain in December (and it was dark for 2 or the 3 hours, and bl**dy cold); I was working out of necessity since my original 2-pinion diff had disintegrated. Doing the job again, in daytime when it's not raining I reckon that 1.1/2 hours should be ample.

For the front, you need to disconnect the drag link and remove the tie rod, jack the front axle so the wheels are perhaps 1/2" clear of the ground, drain the axle oil, then unbolt the two swivel/hub assemblies and withdraw them just enough to get the halfshafts out of the diff pinions, about 3". This can be done without disturbing the brakes, and provided that you have only raised the axle a fraction you can rest the wheels on the ground to take the weight. You will need to support the steering arms on the hubs however (wooden blocks ideal) to stop the hub rotating and straining the brake lines.

Then unbolt the front end of the propshaft (good opportunity to remove it completely to grease it properly), unbolt the diff carrier from the axle, and remove.

Reassembly is the reverse of the dismantling procedure. Getting the the halfshafts back in the pinions is a bit fiddly (especially in December, the dark, and the rain) since you are lifting a complete swivel/hub/wheel assembly but is possible. The old spade-under-the-tyre trick helps enormously.

Back axle is easier still of course, and takes less than half an hour (if on alloys jack up rear axle and remove wheels (not necessary on steels), drain oil, pull halfshafts out 3" from hubs, unbolt rear end of propshaft, unbolt diff carrier and remove. Reverse procedure to reassemble).

Note: the above assumes that you have bought a preasembled diff and carrier, ready to fit. It is quite possible to build your own by just buying the diff and building it into your existing carrier (I did this with the two ARBs on my Series 1) but it will require more tools, including some precision measuring instruments, and a higher level of engineering expertise to do a good job. If you need to renew the pinion bearings you will need a selection of shims to set the pinion protrusion plus gauge blocks or the special height gauge. Even if not putting new pinion bearings in, you will need to blue up the crownwheel and set the engagement correctly, and the process though not difficult is not really for non-engineers. I would strongly recommend buying a complete assembly from Ashcroft Transmissions since you are saved all the hassle, you get a properly set-up diff with all new bearings, and can opt for a heavy-duty crownwheel and pinion as well if you want. Ashcroft Transmission do a very good deal on the px of your old diff (I got £90 off for mine).

I should probably point out that I have no connection with Ashcroft transmission except as an extremely satisfied customer.
Post #137153 5th Apr 2012 12:49pm
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LRSoffroad



Member Since: 15 Feb 2012
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 189

England 
I have an ARB in the rear of two tone , never liked otheres as the lack of control ( im a controle freek Laughing ) need to play with buttons , also for bullet proof i have a Maxi-drive aswell in my other truck
Post #137305 5th Apr 2012 9:07pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10379

United Kingdom 
I had Maxidrives in my old Ibex..... Parts are rare as a rare thing nowadays. As you may know Mr. Green
Post #137310 5th Apr 2012 9:13pm
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LRSoffroad



Member Since: 15 Feb 2012
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 189

England 
Greeni i can only put my hands on kits,, 8 kits if you want a set
Post #137311 5th Apr 2012 9:15pm
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