thought I'd never say this but I don't know if I'm going to be a fan of Ford's e-locker. I've used it twice so far and both times I've had problems getting it to unlock. First time I was in the yard and decided to try it out while driving in a straight line,, drove it a few truck lengths and disengaged it. When I went to turn around I could feel one of the rear tires dragging because the locker hadn't unlocked. I had to drive back and forth a few feet until the locker unlocked. Second time I used it I pulled down into a field approach and needed the extra traction to back up onto the highway(hubs were unlocked and I was too lazy to get out). I backed up onto the highway in a straight line, stopped, disengaged the locker and when I turned to leave the locker was still engaged. I stopped and backed up then tried again with no luck so I slowly finished the turn while one of the rear tires chirped as I drug it on the pavement. when I got straightened out I drove back and forth a couple of feet and tried again and finally the locker disengaged.

Is this normal? I figured as long as I was in a straight line there wouldn't be enough torque built up to hinder disengagement as long as I let off the throttle a bit. I'm kinda afraid to use it now, what happens if it doesn't want to disengage?

 

I had a problem with my e-locker on my '11 f250. But it seemed the more I used it, the better it acted. The first time I had to back up and drive forward twice before it would unlock. The second time, it unlocked after I put it in reverse and took my foot off the brake. After the third time, it works like a well oiled piece of equipment. But I definitely think there is a 'break-in' for for it.

 

I haven't had this problem, and I've used the locker quite a few times. I love it. I have Eaton E-Lockers in the front and rear of my rock crawler and have gotten used to having that kind of instant-on control.

 

I haven't had a problem engaging or disengaging either, sounds like you might have an issue. It's a nice feature when working properly.

 

used mine a half a dozen times in the fields . ur front hubs should be auto hubs with the manual lock so u should not need to get out and lock them.

 

I have the manual transfer case so my hubs are free/lock only.

 

Just like when you engage it it takes a few revolutions to disengage and having it under pressure will make it harder....

You can't wait until you are door handle deep in mud to turn it on and you have to plan ahead to turn it off - I've not had a problem with it and I use it a lot....

and using low range 4x4 is the best way to handle our large 5er when in tight places... easier throttle control - more grip - and pulls my heavy 5er out of storage within a whimper !

 

I have had similar situations with my e-lock. It has been used several times to get out of sand and up steep embankments while pulling a heavy trailer. It only "hangs up" occasionally. When it does, I stop, put it in park, turn the **** on then off again, and then drive away.

I have noticed that it doesn't like to engage or disengage on the fly.

 

you should never engage it on the fly nor disengage it for that matter. ive seen ARB air locker explode from buddies spinning tires stuck and then flick the air switch and BANG busted locker. Same goes for the e-locker in the SD you should be fully stopped with the tires not spinning before you engage or disengage them and yes sometimes it takes a few feet for them to unlock or lock at times. And the more you use it the better it engages and disengages

 

also, to help the differential unlock you should turn back and forth. Forward and reverse cycles won't do much to relieve pressure on the differential.

F/R cycles work with hubs because the axle shaft has pressure against the hub collar. In this case the left and right axles have pressure against each other, going forward and backward won't rotate the axles against themselves. Turning left and right will.

 

He's right, but to clarify, don't just turn the wheel left and right, but rather drive in an arc, snaking back and forth. Really shouldn't have to, because you shouldn't be engaging 4LO or the locker on high traction surfaces (that includes wet pavement) anyway.

 

Did it once and that was enough for me to know that wasn't a good thing. Then I read the manual.