Driving axles of cars are necessarily equipped with differentials designed to ensure unevenness in the angular speeds of the driving wheels when cornering. To increase the cross-country ability of the car on off-road and increase stability when driving on asphalt, interwheel differential locks are installed, colloquially called "axle locks".
Instructions
Step 1
On SUVs, differentials with forced locking are installed to lock the axles. If there are none, you will have to install them yourself. The bridge is locked using a special drive (usually pneumatic). Note that a vehicle with a locked axle increases fuel consumption and tire wear. If the mutual rotation of the wheels on a common locked axle exceeds the elastic deformation of the tires, the wheels will begin to slip, up to the point of lifting off the ground. Conclusion: do not forget to turn off the bridge lock after overcoming off-road. On imported SUVs, there are automatic unlocking devices or speed limiters.
Step 2
To simplify the process of locking the axle, self-locking differentials are used. By design, they are divided into four types: disc, viscous, screw and electronic wheel slip control systems.
Step 3
Disc blocking (frictional, increased friction, LSD) is possible with the use of one or two friction clutches. The two-clutch design is common on American cars. It differs from a single-disk one in that the value of the braking torque is not constant, but proportional to the moment transmitted to the wheels. When using self-locking disc systems, use a special gear oil or regular engine oil with appropriate additives, and make regular adjustments to the system.
Step 4
The viscous blocking of the drive axle with the help of a viscous coupling is similar in principle to the disk one. A feature of viscous blocking is that with prolonged slipping, the viscous coupling first works partially, but then the degree of blocking begins to grow. In the end, the wheels are 100% blocked. Viscous couplings are reliable and maintenance-free, provided the structure is completely sealed.
Step 5
In screw (worm) blocking devices, the trigger moment is determined by the profile of the worm screws used. The service life of such structures is comparable to the service life of the differential itself. In addition, conventional gear oil can be used for lubrication. Cam devices for blocking axles are also distinguished by the same durability and unpretentiousness.
Step 6
There are a few things to keep in mind when driving with a locked axle. Oversteer appears when cornering on slippery surfaces. With intensive acceleration on a mixed surface, the deviation to the side of the intended trajectory increases. These features are most common if the axle locking device is not installed at the factory.
Step 7
When using a rigid forced interlocking system, follow certain rules of its operation. Do not block the axle if one of the wheels is slipping. Only engage the lock when off-road or on slippery surfaces. Do not exceed a speed of 10 km / h when driving with a locked axle, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Disengage the axle lock in time by turning the steering wheel slightly while driving. Use the lock carefully when attaching oversized wheels to your SUV.
