Duff diff locks - Am I bovvered?

[Andrew Baxter]

I've got a 1985 LHD Syncro Kombi converted to a camper with front and rear diff locks but have only ever managed to engage the front locks once since I bought it a year ago. Thankfully, they disengaged as well.
On all other occasions, the diffs haven't come on when operating the front dash switches. I have been able to get to out-of-the-way places in the Hebrides that 2WD campervans could never reach and wonder whether I really need them. After all, I'm not planning to test out the vehicle's articulation abilities with one wheel off the ground.
Do I really need to bother? And under what conditions are they most beneficial?
I'm in Brighton and have seen the tech pages guidance but it's beyond my limited DIY mechanical abilities, I'm afraid, and haven't found anyone locally who is experienced in diff lock repairs. Does anyone know where there's a workshop/enthusiast in the vicinity who can help?
Cheers,
Andrew Baxter.

[HarryMann]

After all, I'm not planning to test out the vehicle's articulation abilities with one wheel off the ground.

One doesn't exactly plan to or not to... and can see a lonmg reverse out or failed ascent (which in itself can be dangerous).

Surely if you've got them they're best working... flip through Dave Fridays current thread on here, to see him having a go...

The other thing is the longer they remain inactive the worse they will corrode.. esp. the front one.

[syncrosimon]

Another use of the decoupler is that with the rear wheels jacked up, I can have the van ticking over in gear, and sit in the drivers seat and engage and disengage the rear diff lock, just to keep it moving. Can do the same with the front, but not with the engine running, you have to spin a wheel until it is in the adsact position for repeated engage and dis engaging. This is much easier than trying to do it on the road. Off road I have found that the locks will be reluctant to engage until there is side to side wheel spin and then it pops in right away, so you can almost set it before you need it, and it will pop in just at the right time. Getting them off is more of a prob, as you usually end up with a lot of transmission wind up which holds the locks on, you need to straighten up asap, and gently roll back and forth, as space allows until you are disengaged. If I am anywhere near a grassy surface then I will try and give both locks a work out.

With all this rain, go and find a wet grassy verge, or carpark, and then go and have a play, somewhere like the carpark at Bodiam Castle where you have a bit of space, or jack up one side of the van, so that both wheels are off the ground, get an assistant to gradually turn the front wheel with the button out, and you should find a spot where it pops it, keep in that spot, and then just operate the knob, you will need the engine running, or you will run out of vacuum. Listen for any whistling leaks. If the locks have not been used for a time then keep working them and they should free up.

A local vw garage with a print out of the how to on wiki should be able to repair.

[Syncro G]

You don't need to bother jacking it up to excersize the lockers, just put the van on full lock, engage a locker and creep forward VERY slow untill the light comes on. If you stop instantly the diff should be lined up and you should be able to just click them off and on imedately as much as you like. If you moved a bit too far when it came on the lock wont go off again, just reverse back again till it goes out (you'll barely have to move). Works on both ends on any serface - the idea is not to actully move it when a lock is on though, esp on a road. I only bother doing that if I can't find a verge to play on though.

[dave friday]

Do be carefull with the front diff lock though,i tried the on off method on a dirt road,the lock didnt come off as quickly as i hoped [nearly hit a wall!!].

[HarryMann]

Do be carefull with the front diff lock though,i tried the on off method on a dirt road,the lock didnt come off as quickly as i hoped [nearly hit a wall!!].

Drove through a hedge in my case