Noob to Lockers, so...Question

[DHW]

I've had plenty of 4x4's in the past and I'm well aware that you aren't supposed to engage 4wd on pavement as turning can cause binding, etc. However, my 18 Rubi is the first vehicle I've had with lockers. My question is what is the rule regarding turning the wheel when off-road with front locker engaged? Will it cause some kind of binding to turn the wheel end to end even when off-road? Or should I try to keep it as straight as possible when locked? I've done some research and have found mixed answers.

When I first got the Jeep, I was off-road making sure everything worked so I engaged the lockers and then made a left turn to go around a tree where I turned the wheel all the way to the left. I didn't hear or feel anything similar to what you'd hear/feel turning on pavement, but when I straightened out the Jeep I had a "service 4wd/locker" message. I disengaged everything, drove for a bit, then reengaged everything and everything worked and the message was gone. This was probably 10k miles ago and have had no issues or messages since.

So what's the rule here? Could I have done any damage?

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[Zandcwhite]

Locking the front axle while making a sharp turn with ample traction is hard on the axle, u-joints, etc. If the terrain is loose enough to need the axles locked, there is likely plenty of wheel slip, so yes it can be done. I only use the front locker when absolutely necessary, and due to the nature of the lockers wanting to push the vehicle straight try to only engage them when pointed where I want to go.

 

[DHW]

Cool, preciate it! To clarify, I was near a creek, so I was on that soft, almost mossy grass and loose damp dirt. The turn was uphill, away from the creek. Wouldn't have made the turn in 2wd, but definitely didn't need the lockers. I just couldn't determine what would have triggered the warning message.

 

[davewald]

There are lots of posts about the "service locker" message. It's a known defect. Do a search and get ready to read a lot.

 

[Sorbs]

If it hasn’t lit up in 10k miles don’t sweat it. Just use the Jeep as intended and enjoy.

 

[DHW]

There are lots of posts about the "service locker" message. It's a known defect. Do a search and get ready to read a lot.

Yea I've done plenty research on the oil seepage/sensor issue and I don't think that's what happened here. I'm not too concerned about my Jeep, just wanted to know the general standard for turning with lockers engaged.

 

[Sheepjeep]

if you are in a situation that you need 4wd low then there is a good probability that you are in low traction terrain and its ok to have the lockers engaged. With the locker engaged your steering will suck because the 4 corners want to go straight together, as well with steering the front locker will cause the front ujoints to bind more easily hurting the steering radius even more. so when you are on the trail turn off the lockers unless you think you will need them and you will be fine

as far as what happened to you i think it is more likely the computer fucking up than you doing something bad, the sensors are not the best in the locker and are known to throw errors like this. The locker sensor is very simple it just checking if the locker is in the lock position or not. my guess as to what happened is you where in 4 low with the lockers engaged, the sensor for some reason thought you were locked or didnt know its state but the locker was unlocked. driving down the road you will know if you are locked or not

 

[grimmjeeper]

My rule of thumb is lockers off until you need them.

When you need lockers start with the rear first. If you need more you add the front. By that time you have enough slippage that binding is not an issue, turning or not.

Once you're over the obstacle, lockers are turned off.

 

[Digger 5]

Sorry but I disagree here.
Use your lockers like you would use your 4WD.
Be in 4WD before you NEED 4WD and be locked before you NEED to be locked.
In both cases switching after being on or in the obstacle may or may not get you through.
As an example, if you drove into a mud hole without a locker and got stuck, you may still not get out by turning on the locker. If instead you went in locked, in many cases you could just power through you would have full traction.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Sorry but I disagree here.
Use your lockers like you would use your 4WD.
Be in 4WD before you NEED 4WD and be locked before you NEED to be locked.
In both cases switching after being on or in the obstacle may or may not get you through.
As an example, if you drove into a mud hole without a locker and got stuck, you may still not get out by turning on the locker. If instead you went in locked, in many cases you could just power through you would have full traction.

I would agree with you when it comes to mud. But not for rocks. I don't do mud so I keep forgetting about it.

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