Brand new ARB locker leaking air

Well.....I’m not sure where to point blame, but I’m not too happy about this. I ordered a rear diff and ARB locker complete through ECGS in January and now I was going to use it for the second time. The compressor was running continuously and the locker wasn’t engaging, so I chased the air leak and found the issue. There’s air being vented constantly out the diff breather plug. So, what the hell?

 

Bottom line you have a leak inside the housing .

Did you do the install ?? Pay to have it done??

Test for leaks when installed ??

When did it get installed since you got it in January ??

Truck off the road for major upgrades

I can only guess .

 

I guess I should update this! So I did in fact contact ECGS and talked with Chase. Super cool guy. He said, just as you did, that the most likely cause is the seal inside the locker failed. He also said the same thing, they’ve been having issues with the newer ARB lockers for some reason. Without hesitation, Chase put in an order for a new 3rd to be built with a new locker and shipped to me to exchange with the one in the truck. They covered all the shipping for both as well as included new gear oil. Great company and great customer service.

 

So, along with that I must include that I had to front $1,200 until I ship my old one back. And then they refund the full amount. Makes it tough to do if money is an issue to front like that, but it’s better then not having a truck for a few weeks. I just used the trusty credit card for it.

 

That is some great Customer Service .

Hope things get worked out

I wonder did they go to a Chinese source for seals .

 

My newly installed rear is bleeding air out too. I’ve had the diff installed for a few weeks now, but yesterday I finally hooked up air to the locker. I emailed ECGS for an answer to this.

 

I was careful when installing the 3rd member. It all came preassembled from ECGS.

 

I’d assume they will do the same deal for you as they did for me. After I removed the 3rd member I inspected the line and fittings, both of which were completely intact. This would indicate their suspicion was correct on the internal seal failing.

 

Actually, they are not doing the same. I’ll have to mail mine back and be without a vehicle for that time

 

I chose to get a TJM air locker instead of the ARB. After looking at the design of both and reading about past issues with that seal in the ARB, I decided to stay away despite the fact that everyone recommends it.

 

Hmm....did you ask to front the money? Strange that they’ve done it for several others but wouldn’t do it for you.

 

It sounds like it was a bad batch of seals. When I shipped mine back they waited for a new batch to be produced and shipped to them from Australia. Seems to be all good now.

 

Maybe so. I read about them having issue some years back with the seals leaking. Also, a lot of scattered reports of people having diff fluid push back up the air line.

 

I’ve heard that as well. Hopefully I don’t experience it. For such a pricey unit you’d think they’d have worked these kinks out by now.

 

Piggybacking off this.. my compressor just cycles non-stop now and I'm seeing a ton of oil come out of the compressor end of the air line. Does that mean I have a bad seal in the diff or just the seal on the solenoid in the compressor?

 

From what I’ve read, it would appear that way.

 

So the big questions is, is this all solved with the copper line and the seals?

 

So, the copper line showed no signs of damage or any marks for that matter. I believe it was the internal seal that failed. The replacement is in and working great. Got the chance to test it this past weekend when we rescued 2 jeeps stuck in the lake bed.

 

Only reason I am asking is because I am pretty big on doing installations myself and not having shops do it for me. I would go with ECGS but hearing about these seals wearing out worries me a bit.

 

ECGS warned me before I purchased the locker that ARB was having some issues with lockers leaking air. It's not a premature wear, just a bad batch of seals. I am sending mine in soon to get fixed.