Diff lock stuck on 96 Discovery

It's 'usually' just crud crap and s**te jamming the mechanism, and a lack of use. I just pull the gear gaiters off, prise up the covers and spray liiberally. Mine didn't work at all for a while when I first got it, the thing had never been off-road, but now it's smooth and easy to put diff-lock on or take it off, _but_ it's never been a very positive feel, certainly nothing like the high-low or gear change mechanisms.

Note you can put diff-lock on and take it off at any time, including when moving and you don't need to use the clutch at all, indeed IME it helps not using the clutch ... ;)

Just to add, I have used the low box/diff lock about once a month for the last six months (on the same track) and not noticed a problem before. I guess by the exceptional condition the vehicle was in when I bought it a year ago, that it had rarely ventured up the verge even, let alone off road. My off roading has not included any clag/bog/muck, just hard and rubbly surface. Is the selection purely mechanical or is there a vacuum operation as some are?

Regards and thanks

Jase

Have you tried shunting backwards and forwards with full lock applied? That usually works.

Jeff

Yep! I have spoken to the garage and they have said they'll take a look for me. So I'm hoping it'll be just sticky linkage or so. The thing is, I can't think of what else it could be. I am unfamiliar with the inside of the boxes. My 1990 90TD had two gearbox/transfer box changes, it was cheaper then to buy second hand whole units and do a swap rather than strip down and repair (quicker also). That was in the days when I lived somewhere else and I had almost free access and advice from a specialist.

Cheers group.

Jase.

Almost certainly sticking external linkage. If you can't the levers back to the 'normal' position, you won't get the lock to disengage. No amount of jumping off kerbs will work unless the lock is deselected.

We discussed this here only a few weeks ago. Subject was "Disco "p" reg stiff diff lock lever".

Get underneath and spray the linkage with some penetrating oil/diesel. When freed up take measures to lubricate and then operate the linkage fairly regularly to keep it free.

I had the same problem on my M plate Disco. The problem was the cross shaft in the low/high lever. I tried all sorts to unstick it and gave up in the end. Went to local breakers and bought the whole lever assembly for =A35.

Upon trying the old set up it took a big hammer and heat to free the thing up.

Dom

Ah yes. Wasn't this discovered at the Shakespeare Unofficial back in

Thanks.

That certainly sounds very likely. I have applied as much force to the lever as I dare so far, no movement. I have left the vehicle with the garage this morning, so should know soon what it is for sure. (As sure as you can be with 'professionals'). Will confirm soon to group.

F'now

Jase.

...

Garage has freed and lubricated stuck linkage etc Cost me a tenner I recon by the time I'd got my overalls on sprayed WD40/muck/grit in my eyes, washed my hands, got back in the motor, wiggled the stick (repeat X times), it was worth it! Thanks group. Jase

Yep it certainly was. Someone took their 90 pick up for a little bit of a swim. Hooked my Disco up to it with rope and pulled, tried the diff lock......bugger.....

Dom

Yebut you did get the best picture, by far, of the whole event:

As you say, for hassle-avoidance that's probably a reasonable deal.

Glad the diagnosis was correct.