Diff lock dilemma

[08Kev]

Good day.
I wonder if someone can help me, first of all better tell you what I’ve got, it’s a 1988 syncro 1600 turbo diesel camper with front & rear diff locks. Due to the bad weather we’ve been having lately I may have to start using the diff locks, which haven’t been touch for the past 4 years since I’ve had the van and then some from the previous owner, my question is; am I right in thinking that if the diff locks are faulty due to lack of use, they won’t engage at all, and if they do engage then they are sure to disengage, the truth is, am scared to touch them in case they Jam on and I can’t them off again.
Is my train of thought right? Or seriously floored, any advice is greatly appreciated.....Ta.

[syncropaddy]

Yes ..... chances are they will not engage.

[toomanytoys]

Yes, not using them allows them to seize up... DO NOT engage the front one.. if it wont come off then you wont be able to steer.. rear one is a big risk as you dont want to be driving very far with it stuck on... to be honest, in the conditions we have had as long as you have reasonable tyres and the VC works fine, it would have to be very bad to need difflocks on the road...

[08Kev]

Thanks for all your comments guys, might stay away from the front one, but try the back if I'm feeling brave, but do it near my local garage just in case

Got loads more questions, but don't want to overload you.

Ta very much!!

[syncropaddy]

Got loads more questions, but don't want to overload you.

Ta very much!!

Thats what we are here for ...

[hotpod]

it really bugs me if mine dont work.
there is 300 meters of off road i can do on my way to and from work where i regularly make a habit of engaging and dissengaging them a few times to keep them working ( or just make sure they are)
i am only really sticking my nose in here because i fixed my fromt one yesterday .
a good page to read is here:http://www.syncro.org/DiffLock.html
and this one on the club wiki https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Sy ... rs_removal
if you are handy with a spanner, i would try to engage the locks on a good dry day when you have nothing better to do. they may just work beautifully...but you wont know till you try. then if they dont work, spend the day getting to know them better/ cleaning them up and giving them some love. you might need them one day. it is nice to know they work just in case.
a good first step is to make sure the bulbs in the cab diff lock console are all working properly.
the indicator light for the back one will come on after you have pulled the knob but only once the diff lock has engaged.
the light for the front one should flash when you pull the knob and then stay on once that diff lock is engaged.
obviously they should then turn off when the locks are dissengaged.
the switches for the lights work on the actuator shafts themselves so ( if bulbs and switches are all working) give a fair idea of whether or not the shaft itself is actually moving .

someone please stop me if i am talking rubbish!

[HarryMann]

Hey, Dan, are ye he of TV fame?

Beeb2? Making neat stoves from VW intestines?

someone please stop me if i am talking rubbish!

We tend to do that here without being asked

Welcome to 80-90

[hotpod]

that is me indeed.
well spotted/remembered.
did my difflock essay make sense?

[HarryMann]

Yup, makes sense, I hate it too if mine aren't working, even though i don't tend to grab for them quite as often as once upon a novelty

[08Kev]

Thanks Dan, good advice about the lights, the chances are if there not working neither are the diffs, agreed - it bugs me if there not working, even if I may never use them. And thanks for the links.