Page 1
RD175 DANA 70/80, 37 SPLINE, HIGH SPEED AIR OPERATED LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL INSTALLATION GUIDE...
Page 2
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.
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.
(See Section 3.2) An 11.2mm [7/16”] drill and ¼” NPT tap for bulkhead fitting installation. An automotive bearing puller (e.g., ARB Bearing Puller #0770001) or a differential carrier bearing puller. A bearing press or arbor press.
2 Removing the Existing Differential Vehicle Support 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.
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.
2 Removing the Existing Differential 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.
2 Removing the Existing Differential Removing the Differential Center IMPORTANT: YOU MUST SPREAD THE HOUSING Spreading the differential housing with a differential case spreader is a step which is critical to set up bearing pre-load (See Figure 3.). Improper pre-load will result in undue bearing wear, increased stresses in the differential center, increased running noise, and ultimately, ring and pinion gear damage.
Page 11
2 Removing the Existing Differential NOTE : The differential center is heavy and quite difficult to handle when covered in oil. Take care not to drop it. Relieve any tension on the spreader immediately after the differential has been removed.
3 Installing the Air Locker Insuring Adequate Oil Drainage IMPORTANT: Some Salisbury axles were manufactured with poor oil drainage between the axle tubes and the differential housing. This can often result in one of the axle tubes filling up with differential oil while running.
3 Installing the Air Locker NOTE : Make sure any grinding dust, filings or drill chips left behind by cutting the drainage slots is completely cleaned out of the housing. Check that the axle air vents are clear and working correctly. Approximate Backlash Shimming In order to reproduce a similar pre-load and ring and pinion backlash in your Air Locker to that of your original differential, measurements...
Page 14
Remove the bearings from the original carrier using an automotive bearing puller (ARB #0770001). Inspect the bearings for wear or damage and replace if necessary. Apply a thin film of high pressure grease to both bearing journals of the Air Locker to prevent seizing.
Page 15
3 Installing the Air Locker Assemble the bearing cup and one of the supplied ARB master shims onto the right-hand side of the Air Locker (as shown in Fig. 7.) and measure the total distance ‘C’. NOTE : The shim pack ‘B’ will be determined and added later.
Page 16
A – B – C = ZERO Use the supplied ARB shim kit to make up a shim pack of this size. NOTE : Two different diameter shim kits are provided with this kit to suit different bearing sizes. Choose whichever is applicable to your application.
3 Installing the Air Locker Mounting the Ring Gear IMPORTANT: This Air Locker has been designed to suit both the Dana 70 and Dana 80 series of differentials. As such you may be required to drill the bolt holes larger to suit your application. Dana 70/80 ring gears may use either 1/2”...
3 Installing the Air Locker Drilling and Tapping the Bulkhead Port An airline port must be drilled and tapped through the differential housing to mount the bulkhead fitting into. NOTE : Higher ratio gearing uses deeper (thicker) ring gears with teeth that extend much further. Make sure the intended hole location is far enough away from the ring gear teeth that the air line will not be at risk of contact with the current or future ring gears.
3 Installing the Air Locker Assembling the Seal Housing Figure 9. Make sure the grooves and airway of the seal housing are clean and free from any contaminants (e.g. water, dirt, metal filings, etc.). Inspect the seal housing O-rings (supplied) for dirt, damage or other conditions which might cause leaks.
‘D’ in Figure 9. Insert and hold the Air Locker, bearing cups and right hand ARB master shim into the differential housing. Push (or lightly pry) the Air Locker hard across to the right-hand side (against the ARB master shim), and measure the maximum gap (also called the ‘end float’) between the outside face of the left...
3 Installing the Air Locker Use the supplied ARB shim kit to make up shim pack ‘D’. Remove the Air Locker from the axle housing. Place the shim pack ‘D’ between the bearing cup and the ARB master shim as shown in Figure 9.
3 Installing the Air Locker Checking the Backlash Set a depth indicator on one of the ring gear teeth as in Figure 11. While supporting the pinion gear by holding the drive shaft, 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).
3 Installing the Air Locker Remount the differential as before. Release spreader tension (if applicable). Check backlash again as before. Setting Up the Bulkhead Fitting Apply thread sealant to the outside threads of the bulkhead body. ...
Page 24
3 Installing the Air Locker Figure 13. Figure 14. NOTE : Make sure the seal housing tube is all of the way into the center compression nut while you are tightening NOTE : Firmly tighten the center compression nut so that a good seal is formed around the tube.
NOTE : An accurate way to test for air leaks is to fit a shut-off valve to an air pressure gauge (ARB part # 0770005). Once 620 KPA [90 PSI] is reached close the valve, disconnect the air hose, and watch to see if there is any drop in pressure.
Installing the Air System Mounting the Solenoid Connection to an ARB Air Compressor 4.1.1 (Fig.16.) Remove one of the 1/8” BSP plugs from its port in the compressor tank. Apply Teflon paste to the 1/8” BSP nipple on the solenoid and insert it into the port and tighten.
Page 27
For ease of installation, quality of air supply, and a high level of dependability from your Air Locker(s) , ARB strongly recommends use of a genuine ARB Air Compressor, however, the Air Locker air system can be operated on any alternate air source that meets each of the following guidelines: ...
Installing the Air System Running and Securing the Air Line The path taken by the air line from your air source (i.e., compressor) to your Air Locker is unique to your vehicle and the position of your air source. Plan ahead carefully when running the air line and always follow these guidelines: ...
Installing the Air System To attach the air line to the push-in fitting of the solenoid; insert the line firmly into the fitting, pull outward on the flange of the fitting while holding the line as far into the fitting as possible, and then gently pull outward on the air line to clamp the line in place.
Page 30
Installing the Air System Push the airline into the compression fitting body and screw the outer nut down onto it. Using a 12mm spanner, tighten the outer nut onto the compression fitting body. NOTE : Some force is required to crush the ferrule, however the outer compression nut will tighten against a stop.
Switch(es) should not be mounted where they will be exposed to water (e.g., in the lower section of an inner door panel). ARB recommends that you apply the Air Locker Warning Sticker (ARB part # 210101) within close visual proximity of the switch location.
Connection to an ARB AIR COMPRESSOR 5.2.1 When wiring the Air Locker actuator switch(es) and solenoid(s) to an ARB Air Compressor, all connections can easily be set up directly from the supplied wiring loom. (Fig.19.) NOTE : 180409 model loom shown for reference only. Refer to your ARB Air Compressor Installation Guide for details on configuring your installation.
Page 33
5 Mounting & Connecting the Electrical System Figure 19. SWITCH TERMINAL IDENTIFICATION Figure 20.
Page 34
5 Mounting & Connecting the Electrical System Connection to an Alternate Air Source 5.2.2 When connecting the actuation switch to an alternate air source, the switch(es) should be wired according to figures 21. and 22., depending on whether one or two Air Lockers will be installed in the vehicle. Single Air Locker System 5.2.2.1 ...
Page 35
5 Mounting & Connecting the Electrical System Dual Air Locker System 5.2.2.2 If two Air Lockers are to be installed in the system, ARB recommends that the switches and solenoids be wired according to figure 22. For safety reasons, this configuration allows SOLENOID 2 to be actuated only if SOLENOID 1 is already on.
Testing & Final Assembly Leak Testing With the vehicle parked and the engine off, turn the compressor on and wait until the air system is fully charged. NOTE : With the Air Locker(s) disengaged, the air source (i.e., compressor) should not have to recharge over time. Intermittent recharging without Air Locker use usually indicates a leak at the solenoid fittings or at the compressor tank O-ring seal.
The wheels should again rotate in opposite directions. Re-Sealing & Filling the Differential NOTE : Consult the ARB Air Locker Operating & Service Manual for recommendations on differential lubricant specifications. Replace the differential cover using gasket sealant or a new standard differential cover gasket for your make of vehicle.
Testing & Final Assembly Post-Installation Check List Now that the Air Locker installation has been completed, ARB recommends that you take the time to complete the following check list just to insure that you haven’t missed any of the vital steps.
Parts List RD175 Dana 70/80,37 SPL,High Speed Exploded Assembly Diagram (See itemized parts list overleaf) Figure 23. Specifications Axle Spline 37 tooth, Ø40.6mm [1.60”] Ratio Supported Varies Ring Gear ID 174.9mm [6.89”] Ring Gear OD 267mm [10.5”] Ring Gear Bolts 12 bolts on Ø203mm [8.00”] Ring Gear Torque 149Nm [110 ft-lb]...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the AIRLOCKER RD175 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers