Preparing A Differenetial ?

[Bravo30]

at 14:40 the Mercedes engineer states that you can ''prepare'' a diff lock and if the tire spins it will engage otherwise if the tire doesn't spin it will not engage? i was under the impression that if you locked the rear diff it locked and thats that.

 

[J!m]

Maybe on that vehicle you can.

 

[Johnny Christensen]

You prepare the differential by pulling the hydraulics on the old models. Or on the newer models, push a button that activates a vacuum system that does the same thing by preloading a hydraulic system. That set up a springload, so when the differential is turning independently, a dog clutch lines up and snaps in when everything fits right. Then you are mechanicly locked left / right side.

 

[Fernweh]

Yes, that sounds about right........

but when you try to lock the differential, while the wheels are spinning, you are looking for trouble and a very expensive differential or axle repair might be in your future!