Rear Axle interlock?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by areelius, Sep 8, 2015.

  1. areelius

    areelius Light Load Member

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    My old Freightliner Classic has an inter axle lock. It has saved me a few times when stuck. I noticed that it does not lock the wheels together, as in positraction. It only causes both axles to turn but not all 4 wheels. Is there a mechanism that locks the wheels also as in a positraction rear end in a pickup truck?
    Can this be added to my rear ends? There are times when I would love to have all 4 corners turning at once.
     
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  3. lots of character

    lots of character Road Train Member

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    You would literally grenade your differentials. Because what happens with that kinetic energy when only one wheel connects in a spin out?
     
  4. JPenn

    JPenn Road Train Member

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    That's called full lockers. Most trucks that see any sort of offroad use have lockers on both drive axles, as well as the inter-axle lock. Milk trucks, oilfield trucks, logging trucks, and the list goes on.
     
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  5. areelius

    areelius Light Load Member

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    So it would be unusual for a road truck like mine to have full lockers. I suppose it could be added?
    Positraction is a set of clutches inside the differential that sends traction to both rear wheels. This protects the gears from destruction. I don't know if it is available for Class 8 differentials though.
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    4 way lockers is what its called. You'll have an inter axle lock and a differential lock for each axle. IMO every truck should have at least 1 differential lock in addition to the interaxle just because you never know when you might need it.
     
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  7. JPenn

    JPenn Road Train Member

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    Many road tractors do not have axle lockers. They're typically air-actuated via switches in the cab (next to the inter-axle lock switch, typically), and should NEVER be used on dry pavement or above about 15-20 mph, if you want your rear-ends to stay together.
     
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Depending on what axle you have you may be able to have a Detroit Locker installed in one diff.

     
  9. dirthaller

    dirthaller Road Train Member

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    I ordered my 2014 389 with a locker in the rear axle only, rarely use it. You can add a rear locker to an Eaton rear end by notching out your housing to accept the solenoid that actuates it, and adding an air switch to feed it. You have to replace the whole third member as well ( IIRC the ring and pinion are the same as open diffs) also the axle shafts on the actuator side of the differential is different as well (right shaft on rear, left on front) I did both on a 2003 379 when I regeared it.
     
  10. areelius

    areelius Light Load Member

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    So if I had the locker put in one axle, which is best? Front or rear? Its those times when you need it that you REALLY need it. I got stuck one night on an almost level spot with just the 2 wheels that needed traction spinning in the air. My inter axle lock wasn't enough. With one locker I could have gotten out. It took some work with a shovel and jamming big rocks under my spinning tires to get out. That is what made me put up this thread. I wonder what it might cost to put in a locker.
     
  11. dirthaller

    dirthaller Road Train Member

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    I did the rear cause I throw a lot of "iron" in the winter, and I rarely put it on the front axle. The cost would be like replacing a whole third member plus an axle shaft plus the labor to notch housing and run an air switch.
     
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