Q: Where can I find a parts break-down of my locker or compressor?
A: The Air Locker Service and Parts Guide is located under the Tech Manuals on our home page. You can also find the Parts and Service Guide Table of Contents here: http://www.arb.com.au/media/products/air-lockers/0-00.pdf
Also, the last page of each instruction manual also has a parts listing.
Q: I am having an issue with my compressor, how can I start diagnosing what is wrong?
A: We do have a guide for you to start digging into what the issue could be. You can find it inside our Parts and Service Guide, in the back of your compressor install guide, and here: http://www.arb.com.au/media/products/air-lockers/5-09.pdf
Q: How do I rotate my CKMA12 tank?
A: Loosen the manifold bolt (10mm SOCKET) so that the solenoid(s) and pressure switch ports can be freely rotated for best positioning.
Q: How do I install a Solenoid?
A: The instructions to install our solenoids are within the locker install guide or do the following:
-Remove one of the 1/8” BSP plugs from its port in the compressor tank.
-Apply Teflon paste to the nipple (1/8” X 1/8” BSP) and insert it into the port and tighten.
-Apply Teflon paste to the free end of the nipple.
-Assemble the inlet port side of the solenoid (stamped with a ‘1’) onto the nipple and tighten. The solenoid should be rotated into a position that does not obstruct any other ports on the compressor tank.
NOTE : The solenoid exhausts compressed air through the center of the black retaining cap when the Air Locker is disengaged. Make sure this orifice cannot be obstructed.
- Apply Teflon paste to the threads of the 5mm push-in fitting and assemble it into the solenoid outlet port (stamped “2”) and tighten.
Q: My new solenoid does not match my old one; do I have the right part?
A: The ARB solenoids have had a few style changes over the last few years. If it came with our locker, it is our part. They all operate the same way, but may have a slight visual difference.
Q: When I turn my compressor on and engage my locker, the compressor constantly runs and air is blowing out the top of my solenoid. What is wrong?
A: You have installed the solenoid backwards. The labeled “1” port needs to be connected to the compressor tank and the ARB airline needs to be connected to the “2” port. If you are having air blow out the top, you have switched the port fittings.
Q: Gear oil is pumping out the top of my solenoid. What can I do to fix this?
A: First, we need to explain why this happens. All axles have breather hoses or caps to allow the internal pressure to be equalized with the outside air pressure. Pressure can build up inside the axle housing if these passageways are blocked, sealed, or stuck closed. The gear oil leaks past the o-rings in an attempt to expand and escape the axle. Given enough heat, time, and pressure a siphon is established and the gear oil will draw itself out the nylon air line. When the locker is not engaged, the solenoid is off and the valve closes the air tank to the air line. The gear oil is being pushed out the exhaust port, but cannot get into the compressor tank.
To address the issue, check your breather lines. Clear any clogs, gunk, or buildup you find. Small spring caps are notorious for getting covered in mud and staying closed. Replace these silly factory pieces with a true breather hose and accordion style expansion tubes. The idea is to facilitate pressure equalization and eliminate pressure build up.
Q: Gear oil is misting out the top of my solenoid when I disengage the locker. Is this normal?
A: Yes, it is normal. The o-rings are bathed in gear oil inside the axle. When the locker is disengaged, all the air pressure in the airline and the locker is being released. When air passes the lubricated o-rings, moisture is picked up and carried out with the air. This results in the slight misting.
I am not sure if this is a problem above but occasionally when I turn on the compressor and then activate the locker I hear air at the axle and the compressor runs endlessly I also smell gear oil. I had a shop check the line connection and they said it was fine. The weird part is that it only does it sometimes. Often it locks up and I have no issues. I cleaned the breather valve on my axle and it has not done it since, so maybe it was a pressure issue. If it does it again is their anything else I can check?
The compressor should not run constantly nor should you hear any air at the differential. Being that it’s intermittent, it sounds like it’s a rotation leak somewhere near the two o-rings. What axle do you have?
02 Toyota sequoia 2wd with the Toyota 8″ also know as the 8 1/4. Worked fine from install 2 months ago up until I got stuck axle deep in mud this month. The air line came loose and the shop fixed it for free. After that it started occasionally not locking and the compressor runs. When that happens I just shut it off and rolled forward or back and it would usually engage. When the compressor runs I can hear air at the axle, but can’t feel a leak.
Did the shop remove the 3rd member during the repair? It sounds like the air collar isn’t installed properly or loosen up when the 3rd member was removed and is moving around more than it should causing the air leak intermittently.