Front Locker issues

[Gone&DoneIt]

We were out on a night run Friday and I was playing in pretty pretty brutal rock garden. I went to engage the front locker to pull myself over a nasty ledge and the sucker wouldn't kick in. The light just illuminated but kept flashing. I ended up sliding into an outcropping and denting the rear quarter pretty good (cant put the top on now because the track us dented badly). Anyway, I will see about pulling it back out and re-welding the seam to prevent rust, but I don't know what the hell happened to my locker?!?! The rear locker engaged fine on and off all night.

Any thoughts Fellas?

 

[GaryMB]

Air leak somewhere in the system?

 

[yjdave]

I think you have the rubi, right? If so start looking for air leaks and make sure you have psi at the front end. If so, it's probably the japanese air locker in your front end.......

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

yeah its the Rubi. I thought the lockers on the Rubi were electric though??

 

[TwistedCU]

yeah its the Rubi. I thought the lockers on the Rubi were electric though??

So did I.

 

[currupt4130]

No, they're air actuated. Check up near the pumps on the skid plate and then work your way down. The hoses like to split near the outlets on the pumps.

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

I can hear the air pump running under the jeep to the lockers when they are engaged, so I know the pump is working.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

I can hear the air pump running under the jeep to the lockers when they are engaged, so I know the pump is working.

Chase the air line down with a squirt bottle full of dish soap and water. Looking for leaks. Oh do check to make sure your air pump is pushing air out first.
If both are good then its time to crack the diff housing and look to see if you blew an "O"ring that holds the air in on the carrier housing. Common leak there on all air activated lockers.
If your uncomfortable with the thought pulling and re-installing your carrier then take your ride down to a good axle shop. Not sure how much a jeep stealer-ship would charge.

The Rubicon is equipped with similar type of air lockers like ARB's but are activated by 5psi only thus seeing blow back ( the common way ARB owners know there internal "O" rings are shot or air coming out of the vent tube) you will need to open the diff to see.

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

Gonna dig into it tomorrow and will let you know what I find. I'm hoping they just cut a line when installing the lift last week,... keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I think the Rubi switched from air to electric for the '07, not sure.

Still under warranty?

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

couldn't find a leak. Taking it in Monday.

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

okay, can someone please tell me where the air pump on the rubi's is supposed to be mounted? I found mine zip-tied to the frame above the long arms on the driver side rear. I am assuming when they lifted it they "relocated" it here in such fine fashion. WTF???
Anyway, as I stated earlier, I have air coming out of the line. While I was checking it I found out the line to the front differential wasn't connected. Would this cause any kind of malfunction? When they installed the lift, the stock line was too short, so it pulls off the nipple on the differential. God forbid they install another 39 cent piece of rubber hose that was long enough.

Sorry, really trying not to rant. Anyway, any reason having the air line off would cause the front locker to cease working?

thanks all

Jack

 

[TwistedCU]

While I was checking it I found out the line to the front differential wasn't connected. Would this cause any kind of malfunction? ...........

Anyway, any reason having the air line off would cause the front locker to cease working?

thanks all

Jack

absolutely. The locker is actuated by air pressure from that line, and without the line connected... well... the result is no workie.

Was the lift dealer installed? If so bring it to them. If not, they'll just void the warranty so I would not bring it there.

You could take it back to whoever lifted it, but personally I would think it easier to just put a longer air line on yourself and never go back to the knuckleheads.

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

absolutely. The locker is actuated by air pressure from that line, and without the line connected... well... the result is no workie.

Right,... I know the line needs to be connected for it to work urple: what I am wondering is if having it off for so long would in some way impact it such that when I reconnected it tonight it still wouldnt work. Now that it is back on it still won't engage.

 

[SenorCole86]

Did you run through any puddles that might have submerged your diff while that line was disconnected? Just a guess . . .

 

[Gone&DoneIt]

No, there wasn't any water on the trail actually. In the last few weeks I have driven through puddles and the like, but nothing that was anywhere near deep enough to submerge it.