Diff lock & Snow chains

How do?

Ive had a 2003 TD5 for the past 2 years what a great car - its my pride and joy.

The sticker in front of the H/L drive gear stick says I have diff lock but it won't go in - any ideas how I can free the bugger up. I'm a bit frightened of breaking someting with brut force and ignorance?

Also, last year had some great fun in the snow over in the peak district, so keeping fingers crossed for another load this year. I have ****e Road tyres fitted at the moment and can't jusify any winter tyre expense. I was thinking of getting some snow chains and keeping them in the boot. Anybody gor or tried any? How much do you reckn they cost.

PS saw one of those disco 4's today - looks just like the disco 3 with more bling bing. I reckon they've ruined it, giving into the jap styling.

This is where i get me snowchains from for work RUD Snow Chains & Shoe Chains

carl rushton said:

How do?

Ive had a 2003 TD5 for the past 2 years what a great car - its my pride and joy.

The sticker in front of the H/L drive gear stick says I have diff lock but it won't go in - any ideas how I can free the bugger up. I'm a bit frightened of breaking someting with brut force and ignorance?

If your TD5 has TRACTION CONTROL then you will not have centre diff lock. The bits to lock the centre diff MAY be there, but the linkage isn't if you have TC.

Also, last year had some great fun in the snow over in the peak district, so keeping fingers crossed for another load this year. I have ****e Road tyres fitted at the moment and can't jusify any winter tyre expense. I was thinking of getting some snow chains and keeping them in the boot. Anybody gor or tried any? How much do you reckn they cost.

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Chains are expensive, and a right pain to fit, but NOTHING short of a tank on tracks comes close to the SLOW SPEED traction in snow when using chains. It is absolutely incredible what a Disco on chains will do in snow.

CharlesY

i had rudmatics fitted to all 4 tyres at a local pay and play. AWSOME! A fully kitted 110 must of been 2.5/3 ton was completly bogged not going anywhere at bottom of a small valley. I hooked him up 2nd low dragged his ass outta there. Chains are awsome off road for low speed. Not that expensive mine were less than GM qyuid second hand. New they are loads but craddocks were doing a deal.

i'd be interested to hear others opinions on chains as we get a bit a snow here too but i thought it would be cheaper to get a set of wheels of evilbay and some winter tyres looking at the price of snow chains unless i been looking in tha wrong place ...?


"edit" - and if i was to buy a pair , duz i fit em to the front wheels or the rear wheels for the best outcome ?

I've run on chains once in Scotland and snow tyres a few times .. Chains work if they're on properly. We had to keep tightening them up for the first mile or so, as moving relaxed them a little, after the third time of tightening they were fine for an 80 mile round trip, all on snow, mostly fresh but also some compacted 'driven on' snow/ice. They worked very well when icy.

Snow tyres were OK but it seemed to me that for the price of them they didn't offer that much more grip than the BFG AT's they replaced for the week I used them. For the cost I'd have been better off getting chains and a few tank fulls of diesel. Might be different if you have to live with snow for a few weeks or more, and changing conditions, where you might have to take chains off and replace them daily, say.

Overall I'd say stick with decent AT's with chains for when it gets really icy and as the snow gets compacted.

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies - the snow chains look a good option.

With regards the dif lock, its due in for a service next week so i will ask the mechanic to have a look if its there and if not give us a price for replacing the missing bits.

Thanks again

I've been driving my RR Classic and Disco 2 for 5 years in Poland during the winter - and here we get lots of snow. All I use is All Terain tyres - Never had a problem. I carry a set of chains in the Classic but have never used them - even in the mountains - so haven't bothered to buy them for the Disco. My recommendation - invest in a decent set of All Terains - General Grabber AT2's or BF Goodridge - and you won't go far wrong

carl rushton said:

The sticker in front of the H/L drive gear stick says I have diff lock but it won't go in - any ideas how I can free the bugger up.

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Sounds like you dont have a difflock, and being a 2003 you will need the additional parts to enable CDL... Here is a link to everything you need to know to get one fitted
Ashcroft Transmissions
Your looking at around the £550 mark just for the parts...

Rob

If you want to go extreme offroading in mud or snow Chains are the way forward. simply put awsome. if you dont need the extremeness then stick to AT's

I have chains, and plenty of snow...

However, unless you are really in the ****e don't bother with them - get a decent set of tyres- the farting around to get them on, and get them off, is a real pain. Plus, you are limited to very low speeds so you have to take them off when they have done their job - You and the chains will be covered in ****e!

Can;t believe no one has pointed out that on a permanent 4wd motor yu shud have chains on all 4 wheels.

redhand said:

Can;t believe no one has pointed out that on a permanent 4wd motor yu shud have chains on all 4 wheels.

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thought the book sed only ont the rear?Might well be wrong tho.

goonarmy said:

thought the book sed only ont the rear?Might well be wrong tho.

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surely with LR diff locking the props and not the wheels. both axles have to turn at same speed snow chains on one axle means axles rotating at differing speeds. gonna put a bit of a strain on the centre diff.

here just googled this http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html

redhand said:

surely with LR diff locking the props and not the wheels. both axles have to turn at same speed snow chains on one axle means axles rotating at differing speeds. gonna put a bit of a strain on the centre diff.

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Stands to reason, but still pretty sure thats wot is sez in me hand book.Convinced me old mans disco one did too but ill check later on.

Can;t believe no one has pointed out that on a permanent 4wd motor yu shud have chains on all 4 wheels.

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From experience, that's not necessary. In the unlikely event you need to use chains, use some common sense and stick them on the front (obviously). Take them off as soon as you maneuver the obstacle(s)

This link is total bollocks.. http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html.. because you will never be going at any speed to warrant worrying about braking efficiency, or disparity in wheel rotation. By all means, be sensible and use two sets , front and back. However, if you live in a climate that requires two sets of snowchains you should think about buying some Huskies.....