rtv01

Gday..anyone know about clunking noises from RTV diff when diff lock is engaged?? Only happens on decelaration and when turning tight corners. Is it something that can be adjusted /or can different oil help? Dealer not giving me any good news grrrrrrrr. Im taking car for independent inspection next week, but was wondering about similar probs with other owners of RTV's.

rtv01

Just got back from vehicle inspection and yes there is excessive backlash in the diff. Surprise,surprise it seems other RTV's are having the same problem too. Apparently when the diff is locked, there should be very minimum freepaly between the spider gears. Vehicle inspector wasn't sure if it can be adjusted.Im hoping that Ford can make the necessary adjustments. Changing the oil wont solve the problem either.This setup is totally different to a LSD.
Apart from that,the car drives beautifully and fuel econmy is slowly improving. I've just clocked 12,000k and got 9.2k/litre on the latest tank of fuel. Prior to that I was averaging 7.8k/litre. If it gets to about 10k/litre,I'll be happy. I'll keep the posts coming with any news about diff dramas. If any other ppl are having the same problem, send a post so we can all be grumpy together lol

outback_ute

G'day rtv, I was going to reply before but I thought I'd see how the inspection went. You haven't been locking the diff on bitumen or anything I assume? Have you tried another Ford dealer, some of them know more than others & it would be worth a go.

Also try on www.uteman.com, there is a topic on the RTV ute where I remember there being a different problem with the diff a while ago. There is a user on there called anakie, he is one of the Ford ute engineers, he should be able to give you some help.

Good luck with it.

rtv01

Hi outback ute,
No I just been using diff lock on dirt roads etc. I live semi country SA, lots of dirt roads here.
Thanks for the website , will check it out.
Cheers

outback_ute

No worries mate, let us know how you get on.

rtv01

Outback ute. Thats an excellent site. Thanks for the tip. Will keep in touch.

Mike Gayner

Backlash in spider gears shouldn't be a problem if the diff is locked. Must be backlash in the pinion.

Axeman82

Just a question, why would you lock the diff on dirt roads?

I assume you mean that you lock the diff on a dirt road that has steep pinches that would otherwise make the ute spin, lose traction, etc.

And you shouldn't try and turn sharp corners with a locked diff - they just don't work that way..

If I'm wrong then feel free to correct me..

__________________

rtv01

Gday Outback Ute, Anakie got back to me and its sorted. Apparently its normal behaviour when diff is locked during tight turns.

Other posters, thanks for the feedback. All is well.

Cheers

outback_ute

Axeman, perhaps they should leave it with an open diff and use fiddle brakes instead! (That's what observed section mud trial cars use, and the Hummer for that matter)

Good to see you got to the bottom of it rtv01 - so it's not "bad" clunking then? I suppose the locked diff would magnify any backlash present.