Can't Get it IN... (Diff lock)

Hi guys,

I've just started testing my new disco, and found that although I can switch between Hi and Low ratio (with a strugle), I can't for life of me get the lever to shift sideways and lock the diff, no light and no movment.

any ideas?

I've found a lot of posts regarding the other side (being stuck in dif lock), but can't find anything from a search thats about not being able to get into diff lock.

its proberly never been used to much your find the linkage is most likely siezed mine was like it be mean with it be brutal that hwo i freed mine up

bloody hell. that was a quick responce. Thanks mate. I'll give it agood seeing too tm morning. But to be honest, I get the feeling that somthing will bend or snap before move. Is it possible to actually brage the lever?

Is it worth taking off the gator (if I can figure out how) and spraying the linkage gate (or what ever is there) with wd40?

not worth takeing the gator off but if you want to go down that road youll have to remove the centre consul if my mind serves me correctly you can remove the connecting bar through this way i was told to put some copper grease on it before replaceing fortuntly i didnt need to this im sure your find it just through lack of use ............ if you bend the bar your have to remove the centre consul the choice is yours ide go for the easiest one first see hwo you get on !!!!!!!!!!!

yeh robint is prob right , it'll just be seized through lack of use .....

i'v got the same trouble meself but thats cos of me age so its a different matter ...... anyhoo, just keep wigglin it and summat will give i'm sure .

get under the motor and give it a good old squirt of WD40. then use force on the lever. keep doing that till it moves in and out freely..
a seized diff lock is usually down to lack of use, if you've just bought the car would probaby signify that the previous owner did'nt do much or any off roading!

How old is the Disco? some models don't have diff lock as they have traction control instead, I just have a hi/lo on my other gear stick, was told by the previous owner about it not having diff lock because of the TC

TWEETS said:

How old is the Disco? some models don't have diff lock as they have traction control instead, I just have a hi/lo on my other gear stick, was told by the previous owner about it not having diff lock because of the TC

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good point...

what model is it?

does it have the little sticker infront of the hi/low stick to show difflock??

TWEETS said:

How old is the Disco? some models don't have diff lock as they have traction control instead, I just have a hi/lo on my other gear stick, was told by the previous owner about it not having diff lock because of the TC

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Hi. Mines a 98 with no TC - It has a diff lock fited.

I've just bought it and the guy said that hed been greenlaning in it.. musn't of used Diff Lock. Or maybe he just coun't get the lever to shift.

I can see myself getting covered in WD40 all tm morning then..lol

jwaldron said:

Hi. Mines a 98 with no TC - It has a diff lock fited.

I've just bought it and the guy said that hed been greenlaning in it.. musn't of used Diff Lock. Or maybe he just coun't get the lever to shift.

I can see myself getting covered in WD40 all tm morning then..lol

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yep .. good call

take the gaiter off from above as well, it just unclips then screws off. WD40 to the max, also may help you locate the mechanisim underneath 'cos of the light

Right. I've taken off the diff lock gear known and taken off the lethr gator and put the knob back on so I can move the lever without hearting my hand (wimp i know)...

The lever will now move more freely into L from H without any lub. Probably me just getting used to the power needed than anything else. But she wont shift over, and I can see now that the lever isn't shifting at all. I'm plying enough force to 'flex' the lever sidways, but not actualy shift it.

I teased the rubber gator away from the shaft (lever) with a screw driver and sprayed wd40 down the gap between the rubber and the lock shaft, but don't think that will get to where it needs.

Went under the car looking for the lever coming down from the inside... ie. the bit I needed to hit with wd40, but to be honest - I'm being thick, and can't identify the part. Plus without a jack, I can't really get under anyway.

I'm gunna need to be really cheaky and ask if anyone can take a photo of what I need to be doing, or better still pop over to me (or I can come to you if close) to give me a hand.

I'm simply not confident of taking the centre console off (I know its suposed to be easy, but my confidence stops at changing the air filter). I can keep you in Tea/coffe and bisuits, and feed you what I have whilst your hear.

If not - I'm either gunna have to do without it (which means I won't be able to enjoy offroad proberly, and probably get stuck alot, or take it to a garauge and pay a silly amount of money to get it sorted (I can just hear it now, "you need a new diff" sharp intake "its not gunna be cheap"..lol).

I'm located in North Wales, Anglesey. Not working at the moment, so free duing the days.

where abouts in mon are you? im on the mainland but hughesy is up your way, he should be able to put you right. as everyone has already said, its probably down to lack of use and freeing oil is the easiest fix. if you ccant see which bit then just cover everything in it and just keep working it. plusgas is better than wd40 as well

Good tip if you do free it off & you will with good olde brute force & WD.... use your diff lock at least once a month to stop it siezing again.

yella said:

where abouts in mon are you?

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Valley, about 2miles from Holyhead. Have famaly in Bethesda on the A5.

jwaldron said:

Valley, about 2miles from Holyhead. Have famaly in Bethesda on the A5.

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I'm in Llangefni I'll be home all day monday working on me 110 so if you're passing this way I'll have a look. I'll pm yer me number.

Guys, thanks for the help. Fantastic service.

James

Ah think ye'd best delete yer addy from the last post and maybe PM it instead