ARB RD114 User Manual

RD114

GM 14 Bolt, 10.5”, Full Floating

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Copyright © 2004 by ARB Corporation Limited

Part No. 2102114

Revision Date 26/11/04

No liability is assumed for damages resulting in the use of the information contained herein.
ARB Air Locker Air Operated Locking Differentials and Air Locker are trademarks of ARB Corporation Limited.
Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

ARB 4x4 ACCESSORIES

Corporate Head Office

42-44 Garden St Tel: [phone]
Kilsyth, Victoria Fax: [phone]
AUSTRALIA
3137

Australian enquiries [e-mail]
North Central and South American enquiries [e-mail]
Other international enquiries [e-mail]

www.arb.com.au

Table of Contents:

1 Introduction 3

1.1

Pre-Installation Preparation 3

1.2

2 Removing the Existing Differential 5

3 Installing the Air Locker 9

3.10

4 Installing the Air System 20

5 Mounting & Connecting the Electrical System 25

6 Testing & Final Assembly 30

7 Parts List 33

Tool-Kit Recommendations 4

2.1

Vehicle Support 5

2.2

Differential Fluid Drain 5

2.3

Removing the Axles 6

2.4

Marking the Bearing Caps 6

2.5

Checking the Current Backlash Amount 7

2.6

Removing the Differential Carrier 8

3.1

Re-Mounting the Ring Gear 9

3.2

Assembling the Seal Housing 10

3.3

Installing the Carrier Bearings 11

3.4

Drilling and Tapping the Bulkhead Port 12

3.5

Checking for Assembly Clearance 13

3.6

Final Air Locker Assembly 14

3.7

Checking the Backlash 15

3.8

Profiling the Seal Housing Tube 16

3.9

Setting Up the Bulkhead Fitting 17
Reinstalling the Differential and Axles 19

4.1

Mounting the Solenoid 20

4.2

Running & Securing the Air Line 22

4.3

Connection to the Bulkhead Fitting 23

5.1

Mounting the Actuator Switch(es) 25

5.2

Wiring the Actuator System 26

6.1

Leak Testing 30

6.2

Testing the Air Locker Actuation 31

6.3

Re-Sealing & Filling the Differential 31

6.4

Post-Installation Check List 32

7.1

Exploded Assembly Diagram 33

7.2

Itemized Parts List 34

1

2

1 Introduction

IMPORTANT :

BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DISMANTLE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THIS

INSTALLATION, PLEASE READ THIS INSTALLATION GUIDE IN ITS

ENTIRETY, AS WELL AS ALL APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF YOUR

VEHICLE MANUFACTURER’S SERVICE MANUAL.

1.1 Pre-Installation Preparation

This booklet is to be used in conjunction with your vehicle
manufacturer’s service manual. ARB endeavors to account for every
possible variation in vehicle model when publishing its installation
guides, and guides are updated regularly as new model information
becomes available, however, the rapid and globally varied release of
some vehicles makes it difficult to insure that your vehicle model has
been accurately accounted for. In the case of any technical
discrepancies between this guide and your service manual, we
strongly advise that you adhere to the specifications and techniques
as documented in your service manual.

Although your ARB Air Locker comes complete with all the step by
step instructions you will need to supplement your vehicle
manufacturer’s service manual and install your new differential, ARB
recommends that you have your Air Locker installed by a trained
professional. Many ARB distributors around the world have been fully
instructed in Air Locker installations by ARB, and have gained a wealth
of experience and skill from years of performing similar installations.

Once you begin this installation your vehicle will be immobile until all
steps of the installation are complete. Make sure your Air Locker kit is
the correct model for your vehicle and that it contains all of the parts
listed on back cover of this booklet. Also be sure you have
appropriately equipped yourself with all the necessary tools, parts, and
materials to complete this installation (see section 1.2 Tool-Kit
Recommendations), and that you have allowed for an appropriate
amount of vehicle down time.

HINT :

Place a mark inside each of the c symbols as

you complete each step. It is very important NOT to
miss any of the steps!

3

1 Introduction

1.2 Tool-Kit Recommendations

Below is a list of tools and supplies you may need to complete this
installation. Requirements for your vehicle may vary. Please consult
your vehicle service manual for additional recommendations.

1.2.1 Tools

c Standard automotive sizes (metric and/or imperial) of sockets,

wrenches, Alan keys, and drills.

c A dial indicator or other suitable measuring tool for checking ring &

pinion backlash.

c A standard automotive feeler gauge.
c A razor knife to cut the nylon tubing.
c An adjuster-nut wrench. (See your vehicle service manual)
c A torque wrench. (See vehicle service manual for required torque

range.)

c A lubricant drain reservoir.
c A 11.2mm [7/16”] drill and ¼” NPT tap for bulkhead fitting

installation.

c An automotive bearing puller (2 jawed is recommended) or a

differential carrier bearing puller.

c A bearing press or arbor press.

1.2.2 Supplies

c Thread lubricant/sealant compound for pressure fittings

(e.g., LOCTITE #567 Teflon paste)

c Thread locking compound (e.g., LOCTITE #272)
c Either a replacement gasket, or gasket sealant, for your differential

cover.

c A sufficient volume of differential oil to completely refill your

housing. (see the ARB Air Locker Operating and Service Manual
for recommended lubricants)

c A soap and water mixture to test for air leaks.

4

2 Removing the Existing Differential

2.1 Vehicle Support

c Safely secure the vehicle on a hoist. We recommend supporting

the vehicle on a chassis hoist to keep the differential area at a
convenient working height and to leave the wheels and axles free
to be rotated and removed.

c Once supported off the ground, release the parking brake and

leave the vehicle in neutral. Chock the wheels if necessary.

2.2 Differential Fluid Drain

HINT : This is a good time to check for metal particles in

your oil, on your drain plug, or in the bottom of the
housing which may indicate a worn bearing or
differential component.

c Clean around the differential cover plate seal to prevent dirt from

entering the differential.

c Position a fluid drain reservoir under the differential and loosen all

differential cover plate retaining bolts.

c If a drain plug exists, remove it and completely drain all differential

oil from the housing.

c If no drain plug exists then the oil can be drained by gently prying

the cover away at the bottom until oil runs out.

HINT : If a drain plug does not exist then it would be a good

idea to drill and tap for a tapered oil drain plug to assist
with future oil changes.

c Once drained, remove the differential cover plate.

5

2 Removing the Existing Differential

2.3 Removing the Axles

IMPORTANT :

Collision damage or heavy off-road use of your vehicle in the past may

have resulted in some degree of bending in the axle. Any misalignment

of the axle tubes may result in excessive wear and/or failure of your

differential and axle shafts. ARB strongly recommends that you have

your axle assembly inspected for concentricity and straightness before

installing your Air Locker.

c Remove the wheels, and both axle shafts according to your vehicle

manufacture’s service manual.

NOTE : The axle oil seals are delicate and can be easily

damaged. Support the weight of the axle shaft when
drawing them out of their sockets in the housing.

2.4 Marking the Bearing Caps

c Using a pointed center punch, gently mark the bearing caps in a

way that will enable you to know which cap is ‘LEFT’ and which cap
is ‘RIGHT’, which way is ‘UP’ and which way is ‘DOWN’. (Fig.1.)

HINT : Many installers choose to make one punch mark on

the left hand side of the left hand bearing cap and one
similar punch mark on the housing at close proximity to
the cap mark. The right hand side is then designated
with two punch marks on the right hand side of the cap
and two similar punch marks on the housing.

Figure 1.

6

2 Removing the Existing Differential

2.5 Checking the Current Backlash Amount

IMPORTANT:

This step is a precautionary measure recommended by ARB due
to the fact that some after market ring and pinion sets have been

manufactured to run with different backlash settings than those

specified by your vehicle manufacturer. Although ARB must

recommend you set backlash according to your service manual

guidelines, we also advise that you compare the backlash

measurements taken here to the recommended backlash settings

in your vehicle service manual. Measurements found to be

outside of your service manual recommendations may indicate

the need to deviate from those settings in order to achieve quiet

running with a good contact mark.

Refer to your vehicle service manual or your local authorized

ARB installer for more information.

c Set a depth indicator on one of the ring gear teeth as in figure 2.

Figure 2.

c While supporting the pinion gear by holding the drive shaft flange,

rotate the differential in both directions while observing the
maximum variation in depth from the indicator (i.e., the highest
value minus the lowest value). This value is referred to as the ring
and pinion backlash.

c Rotate the differential carrier 90° and measure again for accuracy.
c Record the average of all measurements.

7

2 Removing the Existing Differential

2.6 Removing the Differential Carrier

c Remove both adjuster nut locking tabs.
c Loosen both bearing caps.
c Using the appropriate adjuster nut wrench, loosen the adjuster

nuts at least half a turn.

c Remove the bearing caps.
c Carefully remove the differential carrier.

NOTE : The differential carrier is heavy and quite difficult to

handle when covered in oil. Take care not to drop it.

8

3 Installing the Air Locker

3.1 Re-Mounting the Ring Gear

c Remove the bolts that hold the ring gear in place.

NOTE : Some GM ring gear bolts are left hand threaded.

c Using a plastic or copper hammer, tap in a circle around the ring

gear to separate it from the original differential carrier.

c Apply a thin film of high pressure grease to the ring gear shoulder

of the Air Locker to prevent seizing.

c Thoroughly clean any thread locking compound or other foreign

matter from the holes of the ring gear, the threads of the ring gear
bolts, and the mating surfaces between the ring gear and the Air
Locker flange.

HINT : Stoning the ring gear mounting face before

installation will remove any high spots around the
threads.

c Heat the ring gear to between 80 and 100°C [175 - 212°F] in hot

water or in an oven to slightly expand the gear and facilitate
assembly.

NOTE : NEVER HEAT GEARS WITH A FLAME! This could

damage the hardened surface of the gear and result
in premature wear or failure.

c Dry the gear and bolt holes with compressed air (if wet).
c Install the ring gear onto the Air Locker by aligning the bolt holes

and then gently tapping it around in a circle with a soft mallet.
Avoid using the bolts to pull down the ring gear as this puts excess
strain on the bolts and the differential flange.

c Apply a thread locking compound to the thread of each ring gear

bolt before inserting it. Do not apply the compound directly into the
threaded hole as this could prevent the bolt from reaching its full
depth.

c Tighten the ring gear bolts in a star pattern with a torque wrench

according to your vehicle manufacturer’s specified torque.

9