Diff lock on 300tdi

Done a quick search to try fix my diff lock but to no avail, well I recently bought a 300tdi, fdsh, t reg with 65k on it.

Previous owner used it for school runs etc, not even a tow bar on it. I don't think the diff lock has ever been used as I can't push the lever over to engage the diff lock, low and hi box work fine, I know it is operated by inter locking rods etc but is there an easy way to free it up as I'd like the use of it, also which is the best way to get at it?

Thanks in advance

get under it n use a tin o wd40 and some other stuff
leave for a bit and then fight with it....
if that dont work yr gonna have to take gear stick out n stip it a little.
dont be afraid its not to hard , give it a go...gl

Thanks for that, it's my 1st landy but like to get my hands dirty and get stuck in, my knowledge is sadly lacking on these cars though! Have previously fitted mi16 engine to a pug 205gti but don't really know where to start on this!

it will be ok just play with it but in a rough way if ya know what i mean lol.
like i say worst case you will have to take gear stick off but u can do it from inside save gettin cold.
hardest part is getting centre consol out mate...

Ahh so all the mechanism is in the gear box tunnel? Is it a case of unscrew the gear knobs, remove all gaitors, remove sound deadening then the centre console? Thank you

yep if it wont budge then you be able to get it from inside...

don't be too rough with the lever its self or you will bend the control rod. your much better off getting underneath with a 13 mill spanner and locating the diff lock shaft ontop of the diff housing. its just behind the front output flange on top of the casing with a small flat plate with a rod comming out of it. put ya spanner on that afta everything has a good cote of penetrating oil don't use wd40 cos when it dries it leaves a horrible reidue that will clog it back up. then while you underneath with the spanner get a mate to sit on top wagglin the knob at the same time you waggle ya nut from underneath

I had the same, I had to remove the center consol, take the diff lock leaver box off and give it loads of agro and penertating oil, mine was well and truely stuck, it's easy to do, just can take more the a few mins. mine took about 4 ish hours in total.

When you remove the plate that make the tunnel top you will need to drill the rivits out, I put clinch nuts and screws in so its easier to get off.

When your've done it just remember to use diff lock from time to time...

I just had a mate wiggle the stick whilst I was underneath. Wherever you see movement - drown it in penetrating fluid. Leave overnight and try again in the morning

Better to try this first than start taking the insides apart.

Thanks guys, il try it on wednesday on my day off.. is the 13mm spanner nut obvious as that sounds like an option too to free it up?

Also should the lever push 'left' from being in high gear to being diff locked or do i need to put both levers into neutral, then push the transfer box lever to the left, then down into diff lock? sorry for my ignorance

Rich-300tdi said:

Also should the lever push 'left' from being in high gear to being diff locked or do i need to put both levers into neutral, then push the transfer box lever to the left, then down into diff lock? sorry for my ignorance

Click to expand...

Hi Rich

Mine needed doing as it had done 165k town miles, one private owner and no tow bar, I'm not sure low range had every been used.
I couldn't get mine shifted. In the the end Mansfield motors manningtree (specialist LR) got it free and just in time for the snow! works a treat now.

With regard to your question, put it into high or low range, then shift left into diff lock.

Good luck.

nice one thanks!

and anyone know about the 13mm spanner bit?

cheers

you will have to get to lever housing from top as steel shaft through aluminuim housing is where they seize ,same lever but independant operation diff lock can be used wherever hi/low is ,can be used when moving as diff lock selector inside box is operated through spring so you select,it but will only go in when mechanicaly possible

I recently freed up my diff lock - had to go in via the top, so was quite afraid of pulling apart the centre console etc, but to be honest it was quite an easy job - sounds a lot worse than it is.

A few screws and the centre console is off - a few drills here and there to remove the rivets, and you are at the diff lock lever, which can be removed and then worked on in the garage with a large hammer (in my case) to free it up.

Now its all greased and fitted back together, works a dream, and I now make a point of moving into diff lock as well as high and low once a week to stop it seizing up again.

cheers for that guys! really helpfull!
Stu, does the whole centre console unscrew right back to the cubby box and how did you re-attatch the drilled out rivets? thanks!

the console has two screws in the cubby box and two at the front under the rubber mat,

I drilled the rivits out then replaced them with Rivnuts and screws so If i needed to get the plate off again I just unscrewed it

As Big Stu says, 4 screws, and then out it comes.

Its easier when you are actually doing it than trying to explain.

Once I drilled out the rivits, I just used some self tappers that I had in my tool box to replace them. I think there is about 8-9 of them from memory.

ta bud, Rivnuts though?

cheers 'sturox', how long from start to finish roughly? thanks again! il be doing this tmoz/ thurs

taking into account of getting all tools out, cups of tea and working in the cold and dark, about 2-3 hours from absolute start to finish.

Reckon could have bene quicker if I tried it on a weekend in the daylight, and not having to shine torches etc, but still not that long and I was chuffed in the time anyway