Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Engines, Gearboxes, Transfers, Tailshafts, Diffs, axles and CVs

Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby Hammer_22 on Sat Sep 10, 2022 7:40 am

I have recently got some second-hand reduction diffs that I wanted to install. However, have run into the issue of my Ml Triton 2006 GLX-R having a freewheel actuator and the new diff doesn't have this. So I was wondering if anyone would know if I would be able to remove the freewheel actuator. My understanding is the diff comes out of a 2013 GLX triton. I have the whole diff assembly including the Cvs out of the 2013.

I have searched through the forum, and my understanding is that it is basically a device that lets the car know if it's in 4wd or not. And it allows the front diff to disengage so it is more for the super select 4wd in the Pajero, thus not needed in the Tritons?

Any ideas or knowledge whether it's important or I can just remove and hot wire would be appreciated? Could pull a fuse instead of hot wire?

Cheers,
Hamish
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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby srb on Sat Sep 10, 2022 10:43 am

Be better to swap pinion and crown wheel into your old housing. The newer Tritons did away with the free-wheeling actuator, which means, now the whole front drive line spins when you're in 2wd. Silly idea in my opinion, however it does simplify the 4wd system and removes an element of failure.
So I guess you could do it but you'll have to bridge the two wires that go to the actuator switch so you don't get the 4wd dash light flashing. Up to you, but I like the free-wheeling set-up better.

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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby Hammer_22 on Sun Sep 11, 2022 11:17 am

Thank you for the reply,

I didn't really want to have to take the pinion and crown out due to the fact I would have to get the diff re-shimmed, and with long lead times on that kinda works at the moment. Unless you know of a way to be able to do it without having to re-shim the diff?

Most 4wd systems don't run the actuator then?

But obviously, it doesn't wreak the drive line having it always engaged if they were designed that way, in the later models.
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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby srb on Sun Sep 11, 2022 3:29 pm

Yeah probably just cheaper for the manufacturers to go that way, doesn't mean it's better.

Like I said, you could certainly run it without the actuator but just not as good as having the ability to free-wheel the diff when in 2wd.
The wear factor would probably be very negligible but why have all that extra gear turning for no reason? Also, if you busted the front diff 4wding, you'd have to stuff around removing the front cv's and prop shaft just to drive home. Very unlikely to bust a front diff but it has happened before.

You could throw a front locker in there to warrant dismantling the front diff. You know you want to.

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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby srb on Sun Sep 11, 2022 3:44 pm

I have a complete actuator front diff here if you want it? Free to a good home, you could rebuild it without pulling yours out. I'm up near Port Macquarie, where you at?

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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby Hammer_22 on Mon Sep 12, 2022 5:30 am

I could see if when I get the lockers, put in if they have to pull the diff apart, because I could ask them to drop the new diff into the old housing. Because they would have to screw around with re shimming and stuff, when they put lockers in right? Yeah, I haven't broken a cv yet touch wood but when 3inch lift and looking 35" Tires which is why I will need the reduction gears.

Have a good point it would save me from getting stuck out on the tracks.

I'm located down in Ballarat Victoria, Bit of a hike sadly.
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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby srb on Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:04 am

Yep best do it when you do ya locker install.

You better start collecting spare cv's if running a front locker and 35s. I'm only running 32s and I've lost count of the cv's I've broken over the years.

And I'm curious at what ratio diffs you're swapping to? If I was going to run 35s I'd be hunting down a set of 4:3s from a V6 ML. To my knowledge, majority of MLs came with 4:1s and or some with 4:3s for the V6 model... The MNs mostly came with 3:9s but also had 4:1s in some automatic models and even 3:6s for some of the base models that came with smaller tyres.

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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby Hammer_22 on Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:20 am

Reckon I would be able to run the front diff as the original and the new diff as the with different rations in the back? Just so I can keep going with the mods and not get held up by needing money for lockers?

The second-hand diffs were apparently 4.11 is what I was told. The originals which I believe (wouldn't know never had them checked they started making noises and when I pulled the drain plug the magnet was full) were 3.9 in it didn't really have problems running 33" federals with factory rear locker. I had no lift in the ute at the time so all angles and stuff were the way it should have been.
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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby srb on Mon Sep 12, 2022 10:06 am

You can run different ratios front to back as long as you don't select 4wd.

35s and only 4:1 diffs would suck a bit. If you haven't already, I'd be looking into 3:15 reduction gears for you transfer.

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Re: Removing Free Wheel Actuator

Postby Hammer_22 on Mon Sep 12, 2022 12:18 pm

Yeah might do that or as you said look for some petrol diffs, I’m more worried about how tippy it will be on 35”
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