[s-cars] Manual Diff Lock Noise?

[QSHIPQ at aol.com]

Twice in a day?  Since 9-11 it's better to not scare the civilians at sight of the "TB" eblazened on my zute suit....

Ok, Cody, it's a lack of use problem (go with that one MLP!).  The actuator gets crudded up, and the rear diff won't lock completely or at all.  The triangle light triggers with the finger, the actual LED indicating the diff is engaged only comes on if the actuator has moved the shift fork completely to the locked position (ground switch located at the rear diff).  No light, no complete engagement.

Partial engagement can make bad sounds, and it's bad to drive with them.  Not sure how backing up the car solved the problem given the device design, but hey, whatever works.

Fix:  First ck to make sure the rear actuator is functioning properly (no vacuum leaks), raise the back of the car, use a mityvac on the vacuum lines (accessible under the rear seat) if they both hold vacuum, the actuator is good, and you need to clean and lube the actuator arm>fork connection.

HTH

S TB J

In a message dated 3/20/2003 6:20:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, pizzoman at yahoo.com writes:

> Cody,
> I'm sure others who know more than I do on the topic
> will chime in and I CC'd the q list on this one.
> Sounds like maybe a vaccum line issue to me.
>
> Time for TB to come flying out of that phone booth, I
> think.  ;-)
>
> Joe
> --- Cody Payne <Cody.Payne at bconnected.com> wrote:
> > Gents,
> >   Well after the 3' of snow we received over the last
> > 48 hours you can imagine I was using the rear diff
> > lock on my 92 UrS.  Well it was working great but
> > today when I push the button the light does not come
> > on any longer..and more concerning I heard today
> > when I was driving a sound like it was partially
> > locked...sort of like you had a card in your bike
> > spokes.  I stopped and drove backward for about 6'
> > and the sound was gone.
> >
> > Thoughts on:
> > -1) Why the Diff Lock Light wont engage
> > -2) What the hell was that sound?
> >
> > Thx
> >
> > cp
> > _______________________________________________