How to tell if power divider is locked

yeah the position that you hear air release the air is unlocked position. i don't know why none of us thought of that earlier.

 

the power divider can remain locked with the switch in the off position if its damaged, it can also remain unlocked with the switch in the locked position if the power divider is damaged

 

The mechanism for engaging has square teeth, not tapered. This makes for positive engagement. With tapered teeth, they would tend to repel each other and not engage and hold under any good hp. So if you engage the pd, and drive on slippery surfaces, any differences in tires or gearing can be released on the slippery surface. If you forget the unlock it and drive onto dry pavement, some bind from even the smallest tire circumference difference, or gearing issues will occur. This bind up can keep enough pressure against the square teeth that it can not disengage until the binding is reversed. So even if you hear the switch release air, that only means the switch has removed pressure, but not that the pd teeth have pulled away from each other.

If your axle temp gauges work, watch them. If bind up has occurred and you are on dry surfaces, the temperatures will usually start to rise.

 

Mine does the same thing. I flip the switch with brake applied when I push in the brake release I hear the air from the switch automatically shut off even in the on position.