300 tdi Diff lock kept coming out going up a rocky muddy hill yesterday

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ryan_1993

Active Member
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Location
United Kingdom
My diff lock has always been temperamental tbh.

When I first got my CSW I don't think it had ever been in low range as it was basically fused into 4WH.

My mate freed it up and it now works good in low range.

However, the diff lock gear knob was always kind floppy after this. I've never really used it much, but the times I did I've always had to hold the knob over to the left for a good 20 seconds while driving forwards to get it to click in place otherwise the lever instantly pops out and the light goes out.

However, yesterday going up this hill in the video below it wouldn't go in at all. I held it in and it just kept making the mild banging and clunking from underneath. While holding the diff light kept flashing on and off in sync with the bangs coming from the underside.

I don't know much about the transfer box but it sounded like it was skipping teeth to me.

Here is a video of one of the bangs in action: Diff lock kept slipping out - YouTube

Is this going to be a new transfer box?
 
It may well be the linkage that operates the lock is worn, out of adjustment or more likely sticking given what you say about former use.
You are correct in thinking the lock mechanism is not quite linking in, hence jumping in and out.
The gear lever its self does not put in the lock, it just puts the mechanism in a position that allows lock to go in when it wants to. It is not going all the way so you get the "skipping"
 
My diff lock has always been temperamental tbh.

When I first got my CSW I don't think it had ever been in low range as it was basically fused into 4WH.

My mate freed it up and it now works good in low range.

However, the diff lock gear knob was always kind floppy after this. I've never really used it much, but the times I did I've always had to hold the knob over to the left for a good 20 seconds while driving forwards to get it to click in place otherwise the lever instantly pops out and the light goes out.

However, yesterday going up this hill in the video below it wouldn't go in at all. I held it in and it just kept making the mild banging and clunking from underneath. While holding the diff light kept flashing on and off in sync with the bangs coming from the underside.

I don't know much about the transfer box but it sounded like it was skipping teeth to me.

Here is a video of one of the bangs in action: Diff lock kept slipping out - YouTube

Is this going to be a new transfer box?
Doubt it. The diff lock is pretty simple, just a dog clutch.
If the dogs don't fully engage in the holes, it pops out and slips, making the noise.
As he says,^^^^^^, look at the linkages, and use it a bit more, it will probably be fine.
When you engage diff lock, do it stationary, and if it is reluctant to engage, try putting the vehicle in gear, and just letting the clutch up a fraction.
That allows the dogs to line up with the holes and pop in.
 
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