How does a differential lock work on a Chevrolet Niva?

December 16, 2015 Lada.Online 60 357 1

A self-locking differential (popularly “self-locking”) is a device that automatically redistributes power flows from the difference in torque on the drive wheels, depending on their coefficient of adhesion to the road. In other words, a wheel that is hanging out or slipping will receive a minimal amount of torque. Is such a differential needed for Lada 4×4?

Rear and front differential lock

There are two types of blocking: Full blocking can be carried out either manually or automatically. Partial – only automatically.

Such a system can be implemented using the following parts:

helical gears.
friction discs;

The disadvantages include the following factors: The automatic locking system has its own nuances, in particular the need to customize it to the driver’s individual driving style.

But the following advantages of this type of differential lock are also noted: But it is worth noting the presence of disadvantages of such a system. These include excess noise on the road when cornering, as well as the presence of a certain click every time the lock is activated. To get started you will need the following tools:

adjusting rings of different diameters;
measuring tool for car.

DIY self-block installation instructions

To install a self-locking differential on a Niva, it is not necessary to contact a car service center. It is quite possible to do this with your own hands, provided that the person has a good understanding of the structure of the car. The type of differential and its installation location are not particularly important.

First you need to decide on the place where the work will be done; it should be spacious enough. Using several jacks, you will need to lift the Niva, dismantle the wheels, then drain the engine oil from the gearbox housing into some container and remove the drive axle drive. To do this, just use a spanner to unscrew all the nuts securing the front cover to the gearbox housing, remove the cover and gasket.

Now it is necessary to reliably and efficiently carry out the operation of dismantling the axle shafts, which is very difficult to do without a special puller. The metal is clamped on rotary slots, which requires a lot of effort, which not every person has enough. Dismantling the axle shafts is carried out as follows:

Unscrew all the bolt nuts on the axle bearing mounting plate.
The brake mechanism is fixed. This can be done using bolts or wire. If the mechanism is not secured, the brake lines may come off.
The axle shaft itself is removed. With sufficient skill, this can be done by hand, but it is better with the help of a puller.

Then you need to change the bearings. This will require a hydraulic press. It will help ensure that the holder fits onto the shaft, and with fairly high accuracy. To replace you need:

Unscrew the hub bearing nut and remove the bushing. Unscrew the nut securing the lever to the steering knuckle.
Remove the locking plate and unscrew the lever from the steering knuckle.
Having disconnected all the fasteners, separate the knuckle and the hub with the brake disc. Remove the bearing by first holding the steering knuckle in a vice. During assembly, the bearing is put on using a press.

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After adjusting the gaps in the main gear using special washers with variable thickness, you can begin assembling the unit. Adjusting the gaps is quite difficult, and you will need special equipment, but to ensure accuracy you can use a steelyard. To work with it, wind one end of a 1 m long cord around the flange and secure the other end to the scales. By pulling the device in the winding, you will need to record the turning moment.

To ensure proper operation of the gearbox, the parts are usually sealed before the halves are assembled. In its absence, malfunctions may occur during operation, as well as failure of certain spare parts. After applying the sealant, you need to wait a while for it to harden. Then new oil should be poured into the gear housing. All sealing joints that were damaged during dismantling, as well as those that show signs of oil leakage, must be completely replaced with new ones. Now you can start assembling all the mechanisms in reverse order.

After completing all the replacement and installation of parts, you must check the operation of the devices that provide vehicle braking. Their malfunction may affect road safety.

The feasibility of such an action as differential locking on a Niva depends on why the driver needs it. If you need to move through difficult areas, you will need it. If a car enthusiast intends to drive on a normal asphalt road, then installing a self-locking differential on the Niva is hardly worth it. Which self-block to choose and where to place it depends on the driver’s preferences.

January 11, 2019
Cars
Eugene

The self-locking differential on the Niva, like any other analogue, is a device that serves to transform torque from the vehicle engine to the wheels using transmission elements. The factory free-configuration self-block cannot affect the other when one wheel slips. Blocking the part in question helps to obtain the necessary difference off-road. It increases the torsional moment on one of the wheels, which better grips the road. An alternative would be a forced blocking method. Let's try to figure out how effective the self-locking differential on the Niva is, as well as the method of installing this unit.

All about differential locks on Niva

Cardan shafts;
Transmission;
Transfer case with two ranges;
Front and rear axle.

The first two points are clear and do not raise any special questions, but the remaining ones need to be considered in a little more detail.

Moreover, the Chevrolet Niva does not have such a block either. We buy hand winches for cars

Are you thinking about tuning the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 for different situations?

This material will help you with this. The best mud tires for Niva and other SUVs: how to choose the right one.

Various small and large enterprises took advantage of this, mastering the production of differentials with forced locking.

The following should be noted immediately.

Currently, the most common differentials are:

With pneumatic connection;
With electrical connection;
Self-locking.

Briefly - the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

How to properly use the cross-axle differential locking functions on a Chevrolet Niva

When using a differential lock on a Chevrolet Niva, experts recommend adhering to several rules.

Rule No. 1 - the specifics of switching the transfer case to lower gears. This switching must be done when the vehicle is stopped.

Rule No. 2 - enable the differential locking process. This is only possible when the car is driving non-stop.

Rule #3 – Downshift. This action is allowed to be performed without stopping the Chevrolet Niva.

Rule No. 4 – ensuring optimal operation of the cross-axle differential. To do this, the driver will need to periodically switch the differential device lever on the transfer case. Frequency – once a week (especially in the winter season).

How to lock a differential with your own hands?

The wheels differ in rotation speed, especially in turns, because each wheel needs to cover a different distance: the outer wheels travel a greater distance than the inner one.

It is very important to distribute the distance between the inner and outer wheels.

All modern cars, trucks, and all-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with a differential.

These mechanical devices come in three types, each with different mechanisms to control the rotation of the wheels.

open;
increased friction;
Full differential lock.

It is necessary to set the limit in the rear of the car, then the rear wheels will have the same traction as the front ones. Moreover, the rear restriction has much less effect on the vehicle’s capabilities. Only the car owner must decide which lock to choose: full or partial.

Such a limitation can be using friction discs or helical gears. Locking the differential with your own hands is an action that car owners with the skills of a car mechanic can do.

To do this you will need a measuring tool and adjusting rings.

Installation is performed in this order:

install the car on the pit;
secure it with jacks;
remove the wheels;
remove the drums;
unscrew the axle shafts and remove them;
Unscrew the cardan and remove it;
Unscrew and pull out the gearboxes;
set a lock;
put everything back together.

The need to use a differential device lock and disable it on a Chevrolet Niva

On a Chevrolet Niva SUV, in some cases it may be necessary to forcibly block the cross-axle differential. Typical situations of its forced blocking:

on roads with extremely difficult conditions;
on routes with the possibility of wheel slip (these may be steep slopes in mountainous areas);
on roads with dry sandy surfaces;
on roads covered with a layer of snow or ice crust.

In all of the above cases, the differential is forcibly locked before entering such a highway. When the Chevrolet Niva moves on a regular asphalt road, there is no need to block the cross-axle differential device. This is explained by the fact that the wheels adhere well to the road surface, and the torque between all wheels of the vehicle will be distributed evenly. In this case, you will need to disable the differential lock.

Differential: “open” or locked?

Before analyzing a limited slip differential, let's look at what is meant by a differential and the differences between the different types. A differential is a mechanism that allows wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds. This is necessary when the vehicle encounters a curve because the outer wheel turns faster than the inner one. Thanks to the differential, the rotation speed of the wheels will be different, although the torque is evenly distributed on the two axle shafts.

Differential lock on Niva: electric, pneumatic, mechanical

Differentials are often of a planetary design.

It is a worm type gear.

The element is blocked as follows. The housing is connected to one of the axle shafts, and the movement of the satellites is limited. With the help of forced locking, the wheels are truly completely locked on one axle.

Until the driver turns on the system, the mechanism is in its normal operating mode.

When it turns on, the torque will be evenly distributed on each axle shaft. In mechanical systems, control is carried out using a cable, in pneumatic systems, the force of compressed air is used, in electrical interlocking, an electric motor controls it. Automatic differential locking on Niva is not uncommon.

These mechanisms are used quite widely by off-road enthusiasts, driving through mud and swamps. The locking process is carried out through a limited slip differential.

The first is those devices whose action occurs depending on the difference in angular velocities on the axes. These are disk mechanisms, devices with viscous couplings, and mechanisms with electronic locking. The second group presents mechanisms that are blocked depending on the difference in torque.

These are worm differentials - a popular mechanical differential lock on the Niva. On sale you can find products from. These mechanisms receive good reviews from all those who have used them.

Such a system can be installed in the front axle of all classic VAZ models, as well as Niva 4x4. The new, redesigned line of locks from Val-Racing is a complete cross-axle lock for front axles, equipped with an electric drive.

You can turn it on when the driver needs it. This is a reinforced differential for the front and rear axles.

It has 4 satellites. Forced locking with pneumatic drive. But in any case, even the worst factory one is still better than a homemade differential lock on a Niva or welding the mechanism with your own hands.

So, we found out what this element is.

Differential blocking of Niva Chevrolet

Since the Chevrolet Niva is an SUV, it needs the ability to enable blocking of all cross-wheel differential devices. This is caused by the need to increase the vehicle's cross-country ability in off-road conditions.

Let's consider the mechanism for blocking the differential device on the Chevrolet Niva:

if one of the wheels slips, the cross-axle differential will transfer traction force to it from the internal combustion engine;
the remaining wheels are at rest at this moment, because the traction force will not act on them;
the vehicle will stop.

Forced blocking of the cross-axle differential is necessary in order to make maximum use of the traction transmitted from the car engine to the drive wheels. Thanks to the action of the components of the differential (these are gears, shafts and a locking clutch), a rigid connection will occur between the drive wheels. That is why the torque will be evenly distributed between both vehicle axles - front and rear. Thus, the cross-country ability of the Chevrolet Niva SUV will increase.

Niva and differential lock

front and rear axles (interwheel), ensuring rotation of the drive wheels on the same axis at different speeds when one of them slips;
central (interaxial), distributing torque from the engine between the front and rear axles.

when driving on paved roads, the differential lock must be disabled;
on steep climbs and weak soils, you should engage a low range of gears in PK;
when crossing difficult areas of the terrain, you should turn on the blocking in advance;
It is necessary to switch PK to a lower range of gears only after the car has completely stopped;
You can switch to a lower gear and turn on the lock while driving the car at any speed, having first disengaged the clutch;
For normal operation of the locking drive, it is recommended to periodically (once a week) switch the lever to PK, especially in winter.

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Timely and competent flushing of the cooling system is the key to efficient engine operation.

Some tips on how to properly clean the cooling system externally and internally.

Do-it-yourself differential lock

You press the switch, activating the limiter assembly, which in turn “prohibits” the distribution of force between the wheels.

Manual locking has the following advantages:

The driver himself decides when a lock is needed, without using it in vain.
when the limiter is disabled, the differential operates in normal mode, and you take advantage of all its capabilities;

But there are also disadvantages to this type of control: The main difference between automatic blocking is its constant operation.

What is a differential and what is it used for?

The differential has the form of a mechanical installation with a set of planetary gears and shafts. It is designed to distribute torque from the engine of a Chevrolet Niva car to the drive wheels, which are mounted on the same axle. This allows the wheels of the car to spin at different speeds. Rotating the wheels at different speeds is very important when turning a car, when one wheel passes a small radius and the other a large one. In the absence of a cross-axle differential, this would lead to spinning (slipping) of the wheel, which covers a smaller radius. A single wheel slipping would cause the vehicle to skid and increase tire wear.

When a car moves in a straight line at a constant speed, then the thrust from the engine to the wheels is distributed evenly. This helps both drive wheels rotate at the same speed. When one of the drive wheels slips, the differential automatically distributes the traction force from the engine. At the same time, the force on the slipping wheel increases and decreases on the stationary one. Typically, cars have only one differential installed in the drive axle. There are three of them installed on Shevik:

Two differentials are installed in the front and rear axles of the car, which allow the drive wheels to rotate on the same axle at different speeds.
The third is central (interaxial action). It helps distribute torque from the engine to both axles of the vehicle.

Chevrolet Niva differential lock

SUVs, including the Niva, have the ability to lock all three (cross-wheel locks are installed optionally) differentials. Thus, the vehicle’s maneuverability in harsh off-road conditions increases many times over.

When one wheel of the car slips, through the differentials, traction force will be transmitted from the engine to this wheel. All other wheels will be at rest, since the traction force will not act on them. Thus, the car will be immobilized. For example, while one wheel is slipping in a hole, the remaining wheels will be at rest. This means that all the traction force will be transferred specifically to the slipping wheel and will contribute to its rotation.

The purpose for which forced differential locking is turned on is to unite the drive wheels with each other, while ensuring their rotation at the same speed. Blocking makes it possible to make maximum use of the traction force transmitted from the car engine.

The operating principle of the differential lock on a Chevrolet Niva. As you know, a differential consists of gears and shafts, which make it possible to automatically distribute torque from the engine to the wheels. Forced differential locking prevents the gears from rotating, which is achieved using a special locking clutch. Thus, when the lock is manually engaged, the driving wheels of the car are rigidly connected to each other. This connection allows the wheels to rotate at the same speed. When the center differential lock is engaged, the drive shafts of the front and rear wheels are rigidly connected to each other, thereby providing uniform torque to the front and rear axles. The vehicle's cross-country ability increases, which makes it possible to be the first of its kind in SUVs. When the traction of the car's wheels is better, the more traction power the car will receive.

When is it necessary to use a differential lock?

Not all cars have the ability to lock the differential, which makes these cars more vulnerable off-road. And sometimes it happens that now it would be useful to have two axles on a car. The Chevrolet Niva is a unique car that has great cross-country ability on all types of off-road and even mountain surfaces. Forced blocking is used in the following cases:

When the vehicle overcomes difficult road sections. The blocking is activated prematurely, before entering such a road.
On steep slopes or mountainous areas where there is a possibility of wheel slip.
When driving on a dry sandy road.
When the road is covered with a layer of ice or snow crust.

Self-locking differential on Niva: pumping up cross-country ability

But in most cases, interaxle blocking alone is not enough for off-road driving.

To resolve this situation, cross-axle differentials are used. Interwheel differential is a device designed to distribute torque between the left and right wheels of one axle. This type of locking can only work with one pair of wheels.

The second pair of wheels will work as standard. But, if you install inter-axle locking on both axles of the car, then, depending on the situation, you can turn on one or the other.

All-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with three differentials: two between wheels and one between axles. And during the simultaneous activation of the locks of all three differentials, all four wheels will spin each at their own pace. Although the VAZ Niva car is designed for driving on not the best roads, wheel slip is not uncommon for it.

Types of differentials

Depending on the type of gears used, the differential can be:

cylindrical;
conical;
worm-like.

The cylindrical mechanism is mainly installed on cars with all-wheel drive. This is where the differential lock on the Niva would come in handy.

A bevel differential, usually symmetrical, is placed between the wheel drives.

Worm torque transmission is quieter than its analogues, but has a more complex design. It is a universal option, since it can simultaneously be an inter-wheel and inter-axle differential.

Also, the differential can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, depending on the number of teeth.

Forced blocking of Niva

Also included are springs and pins. This is also an indispensable option for those who prefer to lead an active lifestyle. The device is relevant for fishing enthusiasts, hunters, and car tourists.

For participants in trophy raids, it is an excellent opportunity to get a prize. Most solutions are special bushings with springs, and the design resembles preload.

They work no worse than industrial products.

But it’s still not worth driving them into serious off-road conditions. How to lock a Niva with your own hands? This is quite possible, especially if you know how much products from popular brands cost.

If you have access to lathes, then there is no difficulty in making such a mechanism.

Self-block significantly affects the Niva's cross-country ability

You can find a lot of information about Trackol UAZ in this material.

Brands of oils used in gearboxes:

MOTUL 90 PA;
HYPO BM LS;
MOBIL GETRIEBEOIL;
ADDINOL-GH 80-W-90 LS;
Lada-Hypoid GL-5.

Installation procedure

The work itself at a service station is usually highly valued, so many drivers prefer to do it themselves in their garage in order to save money. If the car is no longer new, then you should prepare for additional expenses, since in addition to the locking mechanism itself, you may need to purchase worn parts.

Also, you cannot do without measuring tools and adjusting rings of different diameters. The entire procedure for installing a Niva differential lock with your own hands can be done in the following order:

The vehicle should be driven into the pit, and then its position should be firmly secured. You can use jacks and supports under the body.
Having raised the car, you need to remove the rear wheels by unscrewing the mounting bolts.
The next step is to remove the drum brakes.
Then you should unscrew and remove the axle shafts.
Next comes the removal of the cardan and dismantling the gearbox.
Now all that remains is to install the differential lock on the Niva, after which everything needs to be assembled in the reverse order.

As you can understand, the work is moderately difficult, but every Niva owner can cope with it, especially if he has car repair skills. Perhaps there are drivers who are thinking about installing locking mechanisms, but doubt the legality of these actions. It’s safe to say that in Russia, installing the Niva’s center differential lock, like any other car, is a legal procedure. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to equip your car with improved cross-country ability.

How to make a differential lock

That's why it needs to be adjusted to suit your driving style. That's why many drivers don't accept it.

blocking will work whenever you need it. This way you can focus solely on driving and keep both hands on the wheel at all times;
It should be noted that this kind of differential locking with your own hands is simpler than with the manual method.

this type of restriction is felt on the road.

Tire noise is especially noticeable when cornering, as well as resistance on sharp turns;

There is a clicking sound when the gears engage, which some drivers find annoying and difficult to get used to.

There are two types of partial restrictions:

using helical gears (the most famous are Quaife and Torsen).
using friction discs;

The task is quite difficult, given the wide variety.

What is the purpose of blocking?

This mechanism contains shafts and gears. The differential is intended to distribute torque from the engine to the wheels. In Niva, the main driving wheels are the rear ones. With the help of a differential, the wheels can spin at different speeds , for example, when cornering. In this case, one wheel travels a small radius, and the other – a large one. If there were no differential, the wheels would begin to slip, which would cause increased tire wear.

When driving on a straight road, the thrust from the engine is distributed evenly between the wheels. If one wheel starts to slip, for example on ice, then the differential transfers more force from the engine to it. This mechanism is mainly installed on the drive axle. Niva has it at:

Rear and front axles.

Video about how the cross-axle differential lock works on a Niva Chevrolet

Homemade differential lock

Made following the example of Inventor Adventure.

My new development, differential lock VAZ, Moskvich, NIVA, at home.

Join the affiliate program. https://youpartnerwsp.com/join?104264 This video shows the modification of the MTZ tractor lock.

Made based on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okPYjAvjxeg.

About the equipment of the Chinese analogue of the pneumatic differential lock ARB RD209. used for installation Forced hydraulic locking in the rear axle of Timken UAZ-469. Props to those wishing to help the RD1 project.

Our website - https://www.autoproduct.biz/ Buy Differential Lock Autoproduct - https://autoproduct.biz/catalog/group/3 - Obstacle.

Operation of a self-locking differential. A little about the running results.

Do-it-yourself differential lock on a VAZ 2107

A pair of bushings in a spring from a valve of a VAZ 2110 car. The car is installed above the inspection hole, the rear wheels are jacked up, and wheel chocks are installed under the front ones.

The wheels are removed using a socket set. The same tools are used to remove brake drums, cardan shafts and axle shafts.

The axle shaft removed from the VAZ 2107. After this, the differential gearbox is unscrewed and removed using 12-mm open-end wrenches.

Standard gearbox removed from a VAZ 2107 A pair of bushings is placed between the gearbox gears as illustrated below.

Samoblok on Niva - from personal experience of use

Photo (color scheme of guarantee and box is orange and white):

(photo from the site drive2.ru) - the so-called Togliatti, produced by Togliatti.

The photo shows a familiar blue-red box and the diff itself: Without touching on the operating principle of each of these differentials, it should be noted that both can be installed on the front and rear axles. When installed on the front axle, the force on the steering wheel increases, but with power steering this is not noticeable.

What are users saying?

As reviews indicate, it is not advisable to install a self-locking differential on a Niva in all cases. If the driver intends to constantly operate the vehicle on serious and difficult off-road conditions, installing a self-block makes sense. When driving regularly around the city or on a country road, this idea is irrelevant. The existing factory analogue copes well in such cases on its own, and it has a longer service life.

In addition, users recommend installing the mechanism themselves only if the owner has the appropriate skills and a clear understanding of the design features of the vehicle. Otherwise, use the services of a car service. The choice of the configuration of the self-block and the location of its installation depends solely on the preferences of the owner of the machine.

Contrary to expectations, the article turned out to be quite long, because a decent part of it was devoted to general issues - the principle of blocking, so to speak, general questions for beginners. Therefore, if you know the theory, but just came to read about the Val Racing and Dak diffs, then use the quick links in the content.

For off-road vehicles, which include the Niva, and which are designed to drive on not the best roads, there are several ways to increase cross-country ability. This refers to the ability of a car to overcome an area through which travel is extremely difficult. And one of the devices that helps in overcoming such areas is a self-locking differential, or as it is also called, a self-locking differential.

In general, what are we talking about?

Here, before considering the self-block, we probably need to touch on two issues related to the movement of the car in general and the Niva in particular.

Movement in a turn

In this case, if you simply draw a picture of how the car moves, it immediately becomes clear that the wheels located closer to the center of the turn or on the inner side travel a shorter distance than the wheels moving along the outer radius. This means they move at different speeds. This will cause increased tire wear, and at high speeds – skidding.

To avoid this phenomenon, a device such as a differential is used. Its purpose is to transmit torque from one source to two different consumers, while each of them can receive a different torque, which ensures, in particular, the rotation of the wheels moving along the outer and inner turning radius at different speeds.

Distribution of moment along the axes - interaxle blocking

Any car intended for off-road driving, according to established practice, must have certain design features and the presence of devices that facilitate such movement and are not present on a regular city car. These include the center differential.

In a car with all-wheel drive, torque is supplied to all wheels. However, if the front or rear wheels begin to slip, the main torque is transferred to them. We have all seen this picture more than once - a car stands still, some of its wheels are spinning, and the rest remain motionless. To partially avoid this, a differential lock is used to distribute the torque along the axes.

Its essence lies in the fact that the torque is forcibly divided between the rear and front axles, which allows the car to continue moving due to front-wheel drive when the rear wheels slip. And vice versa. This locking is very useful, especially when driving off-road; without it, the car can in no way be considered an SUV.

Conclusion - inter-axle blocking helps in cases where the front or rear wheels are stuck. Then the torque is transferred from the stuck wheels to the free ones (those that are not stuck). On Niva, the standard center axle helps in this way. However, read what inter-axle locking can do - further...

Differential lock on one axle

The center blocking discussed above is the minimum that is required for a real off-road vehicle. However, this is clearly not enough for serious off-road driving. Here the peculiarity of the differential is manifested, capable of transmitting torque to different consumers, and it goes to where the load is less.

Imagine this situation: one half of the car is on ice, the other half is on solid ground. In this case, two wheels located on the ice will spin thanks to the inter-axle blocking, while the other two will remain stationary. Everything works, the torque transmitted from the engine is forcibly distributed in some ratio (50:50 or 40:60, or any other) between the rear and front axles.

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The torque is regularly supplied to each bridge, but there are two wheels, and due to the fact that one is slipping and less torque is required to rotate it, it goes specifically to this wheel. It turns out to be a paradoxical situation - the wheels are spinning, but the car is standing still, and nothing is holding it back.

To avoid such a situation, differential locking on one axle is used. She may be:

forced, when activated directly by the driver;

automatic, when it turns on itself when one wheel slips; in other cases, the differential works the same as a regular, classic one;

installed on the rear or front axle of a car.

A quick note for those who are confused:

Interaxle locking - transfers torque from the front axle to the rear axle and vice versa. Inter-wheel locking - transfers torque from the right wheel to the left and vice versa. And most importantly - on which axle the self-blocks are installed (front or rear) - on that axle it is possible to transfer torque from right to left.

On the Niva, by default there is only one of the three locks - interaxle. So if you are afraid of getting stuck, you can install self-locking locks in the front and rear axles, and then when all three locks are turned on, all the wheels will spin “of their own life.”

Of course, it is difficult for beginners to immediately understand what and how it works, and therefore I highly recommend that you watch a short video where, using the example of a UAZ, it is shown how axles work WITHOUT differential locks and the author explains what would happen if there was a lock. And it’s really clear that it’s better to have a lock on your SUV. Watch and you will immediately understand:

You need to understand that blocking does not appear just like that, but is implemented using some kind of devices. Without touching on forced, let's focus on automatic blocking. It is implemented using self-locking differentials. They are special devices that perform two functions:

transmission and distribution of torque to different consumers;
forced distribution (if necessary) of incoming torque between them.

What are they, self-blocks?

Structurally, self-locking differentials can be designed in different ways, but in our country, as a rule, you can find two types:

— Krasikov differential, DAK (stands for Krasikov Automatic Differential). Photo (the color scheme of the guarantee and the box is orange and white): (photo from the site drive2.ru)

- the so-called Togliatti, produced by Togliatti. The photo shows the familiar blue and red box and the diff itself:

Without touching on the operating principle of each of these differentials, it should be noted that both can be installed on the front and rear axles. When installed on the front axle, the force on the steering wheel increases, but with power steering this is not noticeable.

The generally accepted tendency is to install a self-block on the rear axle. Although the efficiency of the self-block, again according to consumer reviews, is higher when installed from the front.

It is worth noting that there is such a parameter as the differential locking coefficient and it can be different for different models. It implies how different the amount of torque supplied to different wheels will be and ranges from fifty to one hundred percent.

How to install a self-block?

A self-locking differential is an independent product that is installed in place of the standard one. You can perform this procedure either independently or at a car service center. This is a matter of personal choice, if you have the skill and understanding of how everything works, then you can do it yourself. I installed a self-block at a car service center, and a similar procedure four years ago cost me five grand.

In this case, the determining factor was the need to make the necessary adjustments, set the required gaps, use special stands and other subtleties that I do not know. In any case, after installing the correct self-block (more on this below), no problems arose during its operation.

My review of Dak and Racing

It just so happened that I had to use the two mentioned types of self-blocks. Their price at the time of purchase was almost the same - ten thousand, the installation is also the same, but the result is completely different.

If the DAK failed after about six months, and not in intensive use, but when driving on ordinary forest roads, then the Togliatti one (val racing) is still working.

Maybe I was just unlucky, but I have repeatedly come across reports that there are problems with the quality of the metal in the production of DAKs. So think for yourself.

There are a huge number of opinions about whether a self-block is needed at all, and the most polar ones - from “why is it needed” to “is absolutely necessary.” As always, the choice is a personal matter and everyone must make it themselves.

Again, I will only express my opinion.

It seems to me that everything depends on how and where you move in your car. If you go to the country or mostly on asphalt, then you definitely don’t need a self-block.

The situation is approximately the same if your hobby is off-roading and you are engaged in conquering impassable roads. Here, such “half measures” as self-locking will not work and here you need a full manual differential lock.

However, if your task is to overcome not too severe off-road conditions, driving along a wet, broken forest road, i.e. normal conditions without extreme conditions, then self-block can be a good helper in such conditions.

One should also take into account the fact that when using a self-block, additional significant loads arise on the axle shafts and their breakdowns are quite frequent. Therefore, you need to either install reinforced axle shafts, or if there is a very serious obstacle, do not force the car, but arm yourself with a shovel and a jack and help it cope with the trouble.

Maybe it seems to me, maybe I have the self-locking set up this way, maybe that’s not the issue, but often when the car starts to “slip”, a jerk in the opposite direction suddenly appears. It’s as if the car first went to where the wheel was blocked, and then it gained momentum again, and the car jerks in the opposite direction.

Maybe this is not related to the self-blocking system, but I know this feature of the car’s behavior on a broken road and am always ready for it. Perhaps this will be useful to someone. In all respects the behavior of the car is absolutely normal

A self-locking differential for the Niva is a good addition that, if used correctly, can significantly improve its off-road properties.

Do-it-yourself blocking on the field

But there seems to be no cut there.

6 In the second drawing - section, there are no lines of transitions of diameters inside the body. 7 The cutouts of the segments on the diff housing tenon are not shown. 8 Extension lines should protrude beyond the dimension lines by 3.

1 Dimension lines should not intersect extension lines (size 105 mm) 2 When indicating the diameter, an icon in the form of a circle crossed out at an angle of 45 degrees is placed before the number. dash. 3 When several holes are marked in one place, “4 holes” are written under the dimension line 4 The section and section are depicted as inclined at an angle of 45 degrees.

hatching (for metals). Hatching in the form of a grid indicates non-metals (plastic, rubber, etc.) 5 Hatching is applied between diameters 92 mm and 66 mm. But there seems to be no cut there.