Locking Diffs - Question

Hi, I am new to this site, and am enjoying looking around. I own a LR 90 (1989) which is frankly great fun. i have spent the day playing on a pay and play site, which showed me just some of the amazing capabilities of these vehicles, even when only modestly modified. My question however is, whilst I was travelling in low first, I decended down a very steep slope, with no problems. For experience I thought I would reverse up, but as suspected, my wheels started to spin. As part of my learning curve, I though I would lock my diff and see what would happen then. To my surprise, my front left wheel, and rear right wheel started to spin, with the other 2 wheels stationary. I was under the impression that when the centre diff was locked, all 4 wheels should turn at the same time. Am I right in assuming that as these 2 wheels were spinning, my diff lock is not working??? I apologise if this seems a stupid question, however any advice appreciated. Many thanks, Gary

your center diff is most prob locked but if you don't have lockers on the front and rear diff you will still get differential action across an axle

G-Man,

Thank you for such a quick reply. I have to ask though, what is the point of a centre diff lock then? I do not have front and rear lockers...yet.

it does make it harder to get stuck i.e. if your front wheels are in mud and spinning and your rears ore on solid ground you will still have traction in difflock but out of difflock you will just be sitting there with your fronts spinning, as for front and rear diff locks i hear the kam lockers are good and don't require a compressor like the arb airlockers do

G-Man, thank you. That seems to make sense, essentially saying that the standard diff lock works great for front to back, but not side to side. Thanks again.

exactly it brings the defender back to where the series is when its in 4x4

G-Man, thank you. That seems to make sense, essentially saying that the standard diff lock works great for front to back, but not side to side. Thanks again.