How to lock my center diff??

[cmontiho]

Hi, I just got a 1998 Disc and am having a terrible time trying to figure out how to lock my center differential.I can move the lever straight up, the tone sounds, then into the low position, but I cannot move it to the left or anywhere else where the center differential actually locks. Do you know what I am doing wrong? My locking diff light never comes on and I am positive the diff is not locked. I would really appreciate any help you could offer, thanks!

 

[ausdisco]

maybe obvious.but first question..have you got it in neutral? or are you travelling below 5mph? though i guess it wouldn't go into low range if you weren't?? but sometimes rolling forwards a tad helps it engage if it's stubborn. the ( I x I ) light may take a few feet to register and appear too sometimes

 

[Nomar]

Yeah, what he said. Sometime I have to back into "D", move a foot or so, then into "N" and shift it over. But, it could also be crusty old linkage...

 

[flyfisher11]

You might need to lube the nipple Seriously though you might need to get on top of the transfer case and spray some blaster of something around the CDL nipple and work it a bunch. If no one used it for a long time IE soccer mom or mall cruiser then it could be seized up.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[cmontiho]

Thanks a ton,,,but,,,is the lever suppsed to go forward into the low range (not locked) AND also over to the left for high and low range WITH locked diff?

The manual sucks for explaining this. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Nomar]

Yes, you should be able to shift from "H" to "L", over to diff-lock Low and back to diff-lock High. Like a square pattern.

 

[cmontiho]

gotcha,,thanks a ton. You guys are great.

 

[p m]

You should be able to lock/unlock the CDL in any range, high or low, and change from high to low and back regardless of whether your center diff is locked or not.
Neither you have to have your D1 in neutral in order to lock the center diff.

 

[LSUDenver]

Clarification on the difference between shifting between H - L and Diff Lock.

Shifting from H - L should really be done at a VERY slow roll < 5 mph and in Neutral.
Shifting from H - H Diff Lock can be done at any speed < 40 mph, but recommend < 15 mph. Often times I need to roll 10 -20 yeards prior to getting the "X wing fighter" light. Since I have a 2"+ lift I have to reverse to to get the spring mechanism to unload and get it to disengage.

 

[Slappy]

Clarification on the difference between shifting between H - L and Diff Lock.

Shifting from H - L should really be done at a VERY slow roll < 5 mph and in Neutral.
Shifting from H - H Diff Lock can be done at any speed < 40 mph, but recommend < 15 mph. Often times I need to roll 10 -20 yeards prior to getting the "X wing fighter" light. Since I have a 2"+ lift I have to reverse to to get the spring mechanism to unload and get it to disengage.

How would having a 2" lift affect your CDL? It shouldn't. It sounds to me like you have some other issues...

 

[LSUDenver]

To paraphrase my independent LR mechanic's words...

The CDL mechanism is spring loaded and a changein the driveline could apply some slight pressure tot eh spring mechanism that causes it to load up a little more and create the need to work a little more to disengage.

I was worried about other issues, but the CDL disengage issue arose, IMMEDIATELY after applying a 2" RTE with stock bumpers which netted about 2.75 inches total.

I also posted a question and description on this board and several folks responded with the same setup and issue. It seems to be a proven issue. I will let you know if I drop my T-Case, though!

 

[p m]

2" lift does not make changes in your driveline, besides a slight change in driveshaft angles.

 

[nosivad_bor]

To paraphrase my independent LR mechanic's words...

The CDL mechanism is spring loaded and a changein the driveline could apply some slight pressure tot eh spring mechanism that causes it to load up a little more and create the need to work a little more to disengage.

I was worried about other issues, but the CDL disengage issue arose, IMMEDIATELY after applying a 2" RTE with stock bumpers which netted about 2.75 inches total.

I also posted a question and description on this board and several folks responded with the same setup and issue. It seems to be a proven issue. I will let you know if I drop my T-Case, though!

yeah don't go back to that mechanic. LOL

to the original poster this is a very common problem and the cdl mechanism needs disassembled and lubricated most likely. this is fairly simple project but if you are unfamiliar with the procedure leave all day open.

 

[Swift]

I know this could be a ridiculously basic answer, but if your Disco is a 1998, then that probably makes it a Series 2 which removed the ability to lock the centre diff from inside the car - only shift from high to low. LR's thoughts at the time were that traction control would be enough and you didn't need a locking centre diff any more. If your vehicle is a 1998 then the ability to lock your centre diff is there - you just have to get under the car with a spanner, or install the centre diff locking kit that is available from many after-market LR experts.

 

[Arnival]

I know this could be a ridiculously basic answer, but if your Disco is a 1998, then that probably makes it a Series 2 which removed the ability to lock the centre diff from inside the car - only shift from high to low. LR's thoughts at the time were that traction control would be enough and you didn't need a locking centre diff any more. If your vehicle is a 1998 then the ability to lock your centre diff is there - you just have to get under the car with a spanner, or install the centre diff locking kit that is available from many after-market LR experts.

:ack: :banghead: :rofl:

 

[Nomar]

I know this could be a ridiculously basic answer, but if your Disco is a 1998, then that probably makes it a Series 2 which removed the ability to lock the centre diff from inside the car - only shift from high to low. LR's thoughts at the time were that traction control would be enough and you didn't need a locking centre diff any more. If your vehicle is a 1998 then the ability to lock your centre diff is there - you just have to get under the car with a spanner, or install the centre diff locking kit that is available from many after-market LR experts.

Wrong Swift, all D1s(made up to 99) came with a CDL High-Low lever, and D2s through 2001(stopped sometime that year) had the CDL/nipple on the tcase...

 

[garrett]

damn. i had no idea i had a DII parked in my driveway. sweet!

 

[krazykorean35]

I had a 97 XD which was a bugger...you need to throw some B'Laster up in there or as stated diassemble, lubricate, and then should work.

My XD was just the opposite though it would lock fine but I had to sometimes get under there with a long screwdriver and put some leverage on the linkage to get it unlocked even after reversing and turning the wheel slightly side to side.

Just a thought that if you have this hard of a time locking...you will have a hard time unlocking unless magically it unseizes this first time...but miracles do happen.

Also...there is no such things as a 1998 Disco Series II. Um, infact in 99 LR made some Disco Series I's.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

Im new to the disco thing too but now Im F'ing lost I think Im miss understanding what everyone is saying here. Its my understanding on my 97 disco that the CLD is just another name for a transfercase?

Now am I rong that it has to be in HI all the time aka all wheel drive with the option of a LOW range for rocks and hill climbs? but that does not mean I have the ability to lock my front or rear diffs?

The disco CDL does not allow for 2 wheel drive but rather HI-N-LOW?
MY DASH LIGHT FOR THE 4X4 DOES NOT WORK AND I WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE EATHER WAY.:ack:

 

[ausdisco]

your truck will have H and L and move it to the left (or right depending on what hand vehicle drive you have) for the abiltity to lock the front and rear diffs .it will be labelled "lock" on your transfer lever.meaning basically the drive from your engine is a 50:50 split to front and rear diffs.. i'm sure someone else could explain it better. if you didn't know that it might just be your lucky day.you just earned yourself a handy off road feature