How long and far can you go before major failure occurs,a week or more?
How long is a piece of string?
You’ll most likely just snap a 1/2 shaft through too much wind-up before you do any major damage. That’s after you’ve scrubbed the drive tyres to bits.
I pulled off a site at Bicester years ago, got to Wetherby before I noticed the light lit up on the diff-lock switch.
The lock wouldn’t come out straight away, had to reverse 20 odd yards for it to drop out.
They should make em so pop out automatically when driven over a certain speed or distance.
Should be noticeable something’s not right on corners though.
Own Account Driver:
They should make em so pop out automatically when driven over a certain speed or distance.Should be noticeable something’s not right on corners though.
That is assuming it’s working in the first place…
DoYouMeanMe?:
Own Account Driver:
They should make em so pop out automatically when driven over a certain speed or distance.Should be noticeable something’s not right on corners though.
That is assuming it’s working in the first place…
Yep, diff-lock lights randomly displayed on the dash are common too. Some places disable the switch deliberately too.
cieranc:
I pulled off a site at Bicester years ago, got to Wetherby before I noticed the light lit up on the diff-lock switch.
The lock wouldn’t come out straight away, had to reverse 20 odd yards for it to drop out.
Yep, torque wind up.
Own Account Driver:
Should be noticeable something’s not right on corners though.
Dead right. Would totally change the handling and maouevring characteristics.
Another trick for getting your diff to unlock, put a wheel on a grass or gravel verge (or anywhere else with very low grip).
It’ll allow the torque wind up to release by ‘spinning’ that wheel.
If it’s a very soft verge don’t try it, you might have to put your diff lock back in to get back onto the road although it can work on the move.
I know it works from doing it myself on 4x4 trucks and once on a normal artic unit. It was told to me by an experienced army driver mate, when I was a newbie army driver.
My first lorry ended up in our gravel pit as dumper for shifting stock around; A bright spark decided to drive it around with inter axle and cross locks on all the time “because the dumptrucks are 6x6”…
I think they killed it in a week.
The problem with a locked (or heavy duty limited slip on some vehicles) diff is that a serious oversteer can result, instead of one wheel spinning up (non spinner keeps it more or less in line) as you exit a greasy wet bend, both wheels will lose traction together which means all bets are off if you don’t catch it quickly.
Should feel the locked diff most on dry corners, truck wants to go straight ahead and you have to fight it to make it turn.
Suppose in theory you won’t know that a half shaft has broke until you release the lock, then the truck stops… 
I left mine on many years ago on my Scania 142,a few days in a foreign garage,and some money knocked off for the haulier to come down and get the trailer,for me not completing the trip.
The switch for the diff lock on my MAN is next to the hazard switch, so easy to turn it on by accident.
Company I used to work for had a driver drive 90% of the way through France before he lunched his, he did it proper good think they ended up replacing the axle in the end
Do these people not read the manuals?
Are these people oblivious to amber coloured warning lights/symbols?
But more importantly, should these people be allowed out in public, never mind behind the wheel of a very expensive piece of machinary 
I wouldn`t sack them, I would torture them and then make them pay for the damage!
.
att:
Do these people not read the manuals?
Are these people oblivious to amber coloured warning lights/symbols?But more importantly, should these people be allowed out in public, never mind behind the wheel of a very expensive piece of machinary
Definitely not.
Reminds me of many years ago setting off on a double manned job: Blackpool - Colchester - Pirbright - Blackpool. Other driver did first shift. After we got past Charnock Richard services - about 30 miles, nearly all m/way, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and had to ask him if it was his intention to engage top gear at any time during the journey. (I wonder if Removalist still reads here?) [he wasn’t the driver].
I’ve had diff locks come on on their own and also refuse to disengage.
Muckaway:
I’ve had diff locks come on on their own and also refuse to disengage.
And this is Muckaway when he forgot to turn on the difflock 
newmercman:
Muckaway:
I’ve had diff locks come on on their own and also refuse to disengage.And this is Muckaway when he forgot to turn on the difflock
0
I see what drive did wrong; that’s not a ditching bucket.
The old Pegaso had the diff lock switch overhead next to the interior light switch. A fair number were thrown in at speed which resulted in exploding axles. It took them ages to re-locate it…
Muckaway:
I’ve had diff locks come on on their own and also refuse to disengage.
Fodens with them stupid green plastic switches could be murder for not releasing the diff locks. I remember driving up and down haul roads like a lunatic trying to disengage them.