Self inflicted ARB problem - leaking locker.

[brettf]

Plumbing up ARB lockers front & rear in a 1st gen Tacoma - I put solenoids in backwards because I'm a dumb, dumb, dummy - by extension, I put 150psi (or whatever the ARB twin compressor outputs) straight into both diffs. Now I have air leaking from rear diff breather vent.

It's possible the locker wasn't healthy before, though likely that I blew out seals, o-rings or whatever internally on that locker with that high pressure. Either way it has to come out, then apart. My initial signal was that the lockers didn't seem to want to unlock, then I realized my mistake. Ugh. After re-installing solenoids correctly, both ends appear to actuate/lock and unlock correctly, but the rear is very clearly leaking when air is applied to it.

Any chance the front diff is ok after seeing that kind of pressure? It doesn't appear to be making any leaking noises, I can't hear anything or feel air escaping. Seems to lock and unlock without complaint. Got lucky there?

Lots of smart experienced folks here, hoping someone has experience/insight to share, hoping nobody earned that experience the hard way!

 

[DaveInDenver]

What do you mean backwards? There's only one line feeding the locker and the solenoid pressurizes it when engaged and bleeds it back to zero though a venting port when it's disengaged.

ARB says the Air Locker should tolerate 150 psi so I think if that's only as high as you went the seals were already marginal or rolled and you just pushed ahead what was inevitable anyway.

Was it by chance spitting oil from the solenoids before? I've had Air Lockers that would weep gear oil past the seals and work itself back up the tubing. That's another indicator of seals that need attention. Also slowly losing pressure and the compressor cycling on often is another.

You have to get into the diffs to replace the seals. Ugh.

https://arbusahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4707270563353-What-is-the-minimum-and-maximum-air-pressure-required-to-operate-an-ARB-Air-Locker-

 

[brettf]

@DaveInDenver, thanks for that link. Makes me question some things I was told from some shop folks regarding how much pressure the locker would tolerate directly.

What I mean by "backwards" is that the solenoids I have from ARB have ports that either pass straight through, or that are controlled by the solenoid. Not my picture, but ports marked 1 are from compressor or manifold, and to pass pressure through. Port marked 2 is intended for the air line to the locker, controlled by the solenoid. I was playing the packaging and spacing and mixed orientation up before testing everything.

I don't believe older solenoids had the pass through, but memory is foggy. I think the intent is to be able to pass through and stack solenoids on top of each other to simplify packaging?

What I effectively did is turn on the compressor, pressurizing the solenoid block, and which passed that pressure straight to the locker via the other "1" port. Once I noticed that I couldn't disengage lockers without turning off compressor and manually relieving pressure, I realized my mistake.

BUT, based on your link, it shouldn't matter, the locker should be able to tolerate that pressure and likely had a pre-existing issue. Which makes me feel marginally better about it! Anyway, appreciate the reply.

 

[Burt88]

The air coming from the ARB compressor shouldn't damage the locker operation no matter how you're getting air to the lines. So just hook that up correctly and that part is done. What compressor do you have? As for the leaking locker it's likely a damaged line inside or the o-ring rolled during installation. Are they new install or have they worked before? The front should be fine if it's operating normally.

 

[brettf]

The air coming from the ARB compressor shouldn't damage the locker operation no matter how you're getting air to the lines. So just hook that up correctly and that part is done. What compressor do you have? As for the leaking locker it's likely a damaged line inside or the o-ring rolled during installation. Are they new install or have they worked before? The front should be fine if it's operating normally.

@Burt88 - Great, thank you. No longer worried about the front and have corrected orientation on solenoids and lines; front is operating normally from what I can tell.

Agree - should/could be a seal or that line. I could pull the third member and spot if the line was obviously wearing on the ring or something. Good call.

To answer your questions - ARB twin compressor; all ARB stuff between. The lockers were new a few years ago and installed into the truck as third members ready to go. They were never plumbed until now. Truck has been used in that time, though not heavily.

Big help guys, thanks.

 

[J Kimmel]

The air coming from the ARB compressor shouldn't damage the locker operation no matter how you're getting air to the lines. So just hook that up correctly and that part is done. What compressor do you have? As for the leaking locker it's likely a damaged line inside or the o-ring rolled during installation. Are they new install or have they worked before? The front should be fine if it's operating normally.

That’s what I thought. My last compressor was designed for them and the max psi is only what the lockers are designed to handle. I had a blowoff valve previously to regulate pressure because I used to use a powertank