Front air locker not engaging

[mrblaine]

I have done that, air comes through continuously, but when the line is connected it behaves as if clamped like there is no space for the air to pump to, and the locker is not actuating, air comes out continuously. I have not seen failure of air getting into the locker actuator being a problem in any posts, so didn't know if anyone had experienced them "clogging" or had a solution for that. Given lack of production of the actuator it looks like I will likely have to transition to an E locker or ARB, but if the original was salvageable I would prefer that. Just looking to see if anyone had run into this before.

I've dealt with a couple of actuators that were full of likely what was air and gear oil mixed into a greenish goo. Patience and some brake cleaner finally got it cleaned out enough to start working again. I would strongly caution against bench testing the actuator. The one I did that to immediately blew the air seal bellows never to function properly again.

You are correct on them no longer being available. I sent the last one NIB that I had to someone I trusted who promised he could easily replace it. I cautioned him to verify that to be true. He assured me it was possible, repeatedly. 3 years later, I'm still waiting. To be fair, I knew he wouldn't be able to.

 

[diverdownjames]

I've dealt with a couple of actuators that were full of likely what was air and gear oil mixed into a greenish goo. Patience and some brake cleaner finally got it cleaned out enough to start working again. I would strongly caution against bench testing the actuator. The one I did that to immediately blew the air seal bellows never to function properly again.

You are correct on them no longer being available. I sent the last one NIB that I had to someone I trusted who promised he could easily replace it. I cautioned him to verify that to be true. He assured me it was possible, repeatedly. 3 years later, I'm still waiting. To be fair, I knew he wouldn't be able to.

Did you remove carrier and clean out of the jeep or use a straw/hose to add to the locker and let it "dwell" to dissolve?

 

[diverdownjames]

I've dealt with a couple of actuators that were full of likely what was air and gear oil mixed into a greenish goo. Patience and some brake cleaner finally got it cleaned out enough to start working again. I would strongly caution against bench testing the actuator. The one I did that to immediately blew the air seal bellows never to function properly again.

You are correct on them no longer being available. I sent the last one NIB that I had to someone I trusted who promised he could easily replace it. I cautioned him to verify that to be true. He assured me it was possible, repeatedly. 3 years later, I'm still waiting. To be fair, I knew he wouldn't be able to.

My previous question was unclear, did you have to remove the carrier and actuator and clean it all by its lonesome, or with it still in the jeep using tubes or straws to guide it into the locker fitting did you clean it there with repeated administration and suctioning. I am fine doing either, but would just want to know if I should order bearings before attempting so that I can do it all in one go. If I can do it with it in the jeep and it is unsuccessful, then I will know to order a new locker instead.

 

[mrblaine]

My previous question was unclear, did you have to remove the carrier and actuator and clean it all by its lonesome, or with it still in the jeep using tubes or straws to guide it into the locker fitting did you clean it there with repeated administration and suctioning. I am fine doing either, but would just want to know if I should order bearings before attempting so that I can do it all in one go. If I can do it with it in the jeep and it is unsuccessful, then I will know to order a new locker instead.

I did it with the actuator out of the axle housing.

 

[diverdownjames]

I did it with the actuator out of the axle housing.

Thanks for the help, do you recommend spray and wait? Manipulate the actuator in any specific way?

 

[diverdownjames]

Thanks for the help, do you recommend spray and wait? Manipulate the actuator in any specific way?

Well fixed within the housing.

Attempted brake kleen multiple times, was not getting any volume into the system at all.

Took a small piece of welding wire and tried fishing into the fitting for any obstruction, got to the first elbow with the wire getting stuck. Slightly bent the wire and very slightly bent the elbow out towards the diff cover with a 7 mm wrench being careful not to kink the tube (ymmv), and was able to advance the wire slightly farther and it came out rusty. Did this repeatedly, and now the actuator actuates and holds air. Cleaned it out with brake kleen at the end. Attached are pictures of everything used as well as the jeep in question.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Well fixed within the housing.

Attempted brake kleen multiple times, was not getting any volume into the system at all.

Took a small piece of welding wire and tried fishing into the fitting for any obstruction, got to the first elbow with the wire getting stuck. Slightly bent the wire and very slightly bent the elbow out towards the diff cover with a 7 mm wrench being careful not to kink the tube (ymmv), and was able to advance the wire slightly farther and it came out rusty. Did this repeatedly, and now the actuator actuates and holds air. Cleaned it out with brake kleen at the end. Attached are pictures of everything used as well as the jeep in question.

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Glad to hear you got it working!

 

[RocknLJ]

Well fixed within the housing.

Attempted brake kleen multiple times, was not getting any volume into the system at all.

Took a small piece of welding wire and tried fishing into the fitting for any obstruction, got to the first elbow with the wire getting stuck. Slightly bent the wire and very slightly bent the elbow out towards the diff cover with a 7 mm wrench being careful not to kink the tube (ymmv), and was able to advance the wire slightly farther and it came out rusty. Did this repeatedly, and now the actuator actuates and holds air. Cleaned it out with brake kleen at the end. Attached are pictures of everything used as well as the jeep in question.

View attachment 623292

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You should have bought one of these.

Yeah baby!

 

[jjvw]

You should have bought one of these.

Yeah baby!

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Like this?

 

[diverdownjames]

You should have bought one of these.

Yeah baby!

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That sorta thing's not my bag, baby.