ARB Air lockers

AVOID at all costs – We have fitted a ARB Diff Locker to the rear differential of an NP Pajero. This is one of the biggest errors I have made in modifying a 4WD. The Diff Locker has been a lemon from start to finish. First, it was not machined to the correct depth for the diff bearing, second the sill housing was not manufactured square. We have dropped the diff 4… Read more

times now exploring the problem. ARBs response is that it is an assembly error and the diff locker couldn't possibly have been manufactured to incorrect specs, despite the photos taken showing very, very clearly that the machined depth of the bearing seat was obviously out. We have spent hundreds removing and reinstalling the diff, replacing seal, seal housings, diff fluid and bearings, and getting the whole component reviewed and machined by an engineer.

ARB do not stand by their products, avoid at all costs. The only reason I went with ARB is that I was hoping to save money as their diff locker is cheaper than their competitors' - now I know why.

More money more money ARB LOCKER – For the price of a compressor and lockers .you still have to put more money in this system and most likely have to have machine work done.. ARB sellers you the bare cheap stuff to get you to spend money on parts that will last. Show details

The first four wheel drive accessory I would install – I have a GU Patrol, fully decked out with bull bar, winch, 2" lift but the best modification to the car is the Air Lockers. I have had them 2 years and they have been faultless, I use them at least once a month, even just at home to lock the back diff ib to back a trailer up a steep gravel hill. Having driven with other lockers what I like about… Read more

these is I don't need to stop, I can be halfway up a hill and things get interesting and I just flick the switch. Lockers mean I can take tracks slower rather than just hitting them hard and hoping for the best which means less bouncing around, more control and less damage.

Expensive Unreliable Rubbish – I had front and rear lockers fitted to a new hilux sr5 3.0ltr diesel. The first set failed before 20,000 Kms and the next set failed around 21,000 Kms later (41,000Kms). The Final straw was the SEVENTH set of lockers that let go of a crown wheel bolt that destroyed the diff and housing resulting in a complete replacement of the rear end. It was… Read more

all done under warranty but a warranty doesn't help when you're in the middle of nowhere and it sh#ts itself, I ended up selling the car with LOCKER NUMBER 8 in it as i could no longer trust it to get me there or back and i lost faith in what was once a very dependable vehicle with only 94,000Kms on the clock. If you're thinking of diff lockers i would suggest try tjm but leave these pieces of sh#t on the shelf where they belong. Weigh it up........8 Diffs in 94,000Kms, That's 11,500Kms before you start to worry or replace the diff with every service

Reliability a major issue – Had an arb rear air locker fitted in my hilux two years ago now has been great when working on some of those hard tracks! But to get to the start of the old telegraph track and it not work is very disappointing! I am currently getting it fixed for the 3rd time under warranty, worst fix was early this year when they replaced the locker and diff… Read more

centre - over $3000 worth! Bolts had come out of the crown wheel and were sitting in the bottom of the diff - it was only a matter of time before we lost drive all together! In saying this they were good with warranty and have fixed it every time for no cost (as they should) but for somebody traveling the country and your car is your home this has been very inconvenient! Do your homework and explore all your options I have had a bad run with my locker but an arb salesman did say to me they have trouble with about 1 in 10! Pretty poor stats for their own product which cost around $1800 installed - plus the down time for us having to wait around and pay for accommodation and alternate transport.

For such a well known, so called reputable, long standing brand as ARB the faults in this product overall should have well and truly been rectified by now.

DISINTEGRATING DIFF LOCKS – Do your homework before you purchase diff locks from ARB. There are many articles regarding the durability and reliability of these lockers and their constant air ring failure along with crown wheel bolt shearing and/or simply falling out that result in a catastrophic failure of the whole diff assembly. Yes they have repaired the diffs 4 times in… Read more

87.000 kms on a brand new hilux and was offered replacement standard diffs but no offer of a refund on the rubbish lockers so now I have a $71,000 vehicle that I no longer trust on a road trip let alone an off road trip and i have to part with another $3000 to purchase diff locks from another company that has a lot better feedback about their product. Nobody wants to go on a long journey wondering if the vehicles going to get there or back and even if they repair the diffs you don’t need the hassle of towing the vehicle off a beach or hanging around stranded while they think about what has to be done to get you back on the road. Never again ARB sorry but you need to take a long hard look at what you are selling and you’re certainly not selling reliability.

Great in theory. Poor build and install quality – The idea is great, but the staff/installers don't care and it leads to heart-ache. Failed on install by breaking crown wheel bolts by turning the wrong way. Then when I picked it up it had incorrect axle preload which resulted in a tow truck. Seals failed in 6 months after that and then the copper pipe failed 6 months after that. Good luck. If you… Read more

can find someone decent to install it then it may eliminate most problems, but the bonded seal wears out to quickly and there is nothing you can do about it. Basically, why put compressed air in your differential. If you do the k's, save a bit longer and get that e-locker. After four failures, weeks of arguing and having too threaten legal action they agreed to a full refund. I payed Opposite Lock at Rothwell to pull it out, fix what Arb had done and put a Harrop in. Opposite Lock even took photos of the job they had done. Upon returning it to the store, they refunded only the parts cost, not the labour as well. When I asked why, they replied because they had done the work and had no regard to my costs of repairing the locker, lost work or countless Uber costs to and from the store. I have all these receipts and a detailed diary kept of the whole saga. Attached is a photo of the refund for proof.

ARB Air Lockers get me everywhere – In November 2015, I had front and rear air lockers installed by ARB into my NT Pajero. The car without them is already a very capable vehicle. With them, they allow the Pajero to track with more confidence through the hard low traction stuff. The front lockers (can be activated after the rear air lockers are on)are best activated on straight… Read more

ahead low traction situations as having front and rear air lockers activated will tend to keep the vehicle driving straight and always keep your speed worth safety in mind.

The rear diff locks are what I mostly use on slippery soil / mud / clay soil whilst giving more steering .

I am very happy with the quality of the units and when not in use they are simply turned off. They have never let me down. Just make sure you read the manual to better understand the product .

I do feel many people have tried to engage their air lockers when the "throttle pedal" is depressed and this puts huge forces on your diff lockers - they might not lock properly . Also it may pay to do a 4WD Training Course and learn how to use the air lockers in a safe training area - which is what I did .

Ensure you have diff breathers to prevent water ingress and service your vehicle regularly. Also don't forget to check your on board air locker air compressor and fittings too.

Good maintenance and understanding of your AirLockers system will ensure trouble free operation. However if you are unlucky to have a warranty issue - I am sorry to hear about it. I can only say for myself that I have had no issues with my ARB Air Lockers.

Stay away! – Bought an ARB airlocker for a Landcruiser when new. Fitted by ARB. Failed after two brief uses within 12 months. First response from ARB was aggressive blaming of myself the owner, with some utterly gobsmacking accusations. ARB offered to look at it, best time two weeks. No apology for stuffing up our off road holiday by selling and fitting… Read more

rubbish. No urgency to fix it. Stay away from ARB is my advice. I didn't have two fitted, so the rear differential was still working. expensive, bad warranty service, lack of interest by ARB in honouring warranty in real time.

ARB Diff lock - all good here !! – I've tried an Auto Lokka and it's true - you lose steering right at the wrong moments !! How would you like to understeer right off a slippery track into the bushes? If that's your idea of fun - go for it. I heard there were issues with some versions of the ARB diff locks being made overseas but I understand ARB have learnt from their mistake.… Read more

Who doesn't.

Get yourself an ARB Diff lock and get your 4x4 up tracks with less effort, less impact to your vehicle and the environment. Ability to control it - turn it OFF when you want to steer or save your steering components You like it so much you want both the 4x4s to have them :)