Had a blast in Uwharrie last weekend. Baja claws rocked, the GF did it all with 30" AT's on the Cherokee - wish I had a pic of when she took it down between a couple boulders and had the right rear tire 3' in the air. Anywho, here's the questions:
1) I smacked down on a big rock and the solenoid for the rear ARB started hissing from right underneath the solonoid. It didn't hit - it's mounted on the upside of the wheel well where I hit. I switched the lines to get my rear locker functional again, but is this a common prob with ARB's? Any fix or buy a new part?
2) I mashed one (actually both) of my side steps into boulders. Passenger side gone. The dogs use them to get in as well as passengers. I'd like to replace them with a rocker guard/ step combo. Best I've seen is a rocker guard with a wrap around tube type step. Thought about welding a plate to that to keep the dogs legs from going down between the tube and Jeep body when they jump in and breaking a leg. Anyone seen anything better?

I'll post some pics if I can figure out how to download from the club site... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,
- Chris

Are you having a problem with your "air-leakers"???

The fundamental issue is when you say you "smacked down" on a rock and the hissing started.

At this point, I need to confess that I am not familiar with your setup as it sounds different from my friends setup.

So, unless design has changed, there is a air line that feeds the locker actuator in the front and/or rear.

The situation I am familiar with is those components are internal in the differential. If you have an air leak, it may be related to damage to the external air line.

So, the internal components appear to be working as you were able to divert air from one source to another.

And, as to it being a "common problem". please consider the physical constructs of a solenoid. Basically, they are a moving actuator in a cylinder and subject to displacement with enough force.

So, just how hard did you smack the rock to cause outside limits pressure on the solenoid??

Is it a common problem?? Not from what I have heard. The more common problem is airline fitting leaks.

As to the second of your questions, sounds like you are finding out about nerf bars.

I am not sure of what you had, but, if you replace them with something that will extend the rocker panels, you can count on them brine replaced in the future.

There are several products available for rocker panel protection. However, I am not sure of the specific product to say if you can weld a plate on or not.

Personally, I would not go to that much trouble. But, I am in reference to dealing with my dog that covered with mud or dust weighs in at less that 11 pounds.

So, consider the ground clearance your need and the ability of your dog to enter or exit the vehicle.

It is all about trade-offs as there is no perfect solution to any setup.

When you describe the ARB solenoid, I assume that you're talking about the electrically actuated solenoid that opens the line from the air resevoir to the differential.

Actually, it is rather rare for that component to fail. The "usual" ARB problems involve air lines being hit or snagged by rocks, tree roots, etc, and being ripped out. Also, sometimes the fitting where the line goes into the differential housing will leak, and sometimes the seal in the differential will leak. But, frankly, I've never seen an incident where the solenoid failed.

Rather than depend on your ear to detect where the leak is, I'd recommend getting a small squirt bottle (drug stores sell them for the ladies to put stuff in) and fill it with a capful of liquid dish soap and fill with water. Then squirt the soapy liquid on places where you suspect a leak. The ddramatic increase in observed bubbles will pinpoint your leak in no time.

If you're lucky, it will just be a line end or a fitting going into the solenoid that is the problem. If the "case" of the solenoid itself is leaking, then I'd call ARB and see what it takes to fix it. They may even replace the part, as long as it hasn't been hit.

Those two pretty much said it all about the ARB.

My experience with nerf bars is that they don't do much as far as protecting the rockers. We were wheeling in my buddy's TJ with nerf bars and dropped the passenger side rocker onto a large rock...well that rock just pushed the bar right up into the rocker where the fender and body meet. That little seem there dented the nerf bar pretty good, barely dented the rocker and fender seam, but it wrinkled the door skin. If it had not happened at that seam, it probably would have done much more damage to the rocker. Mind you we did not drop onto the rock very hard either.

My suggestion is to make your own sliders if you know someone with the proper equipment to do so...save you some money, and you will have exactly what you are looking for as far as protection and the needs of your pets. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Looks like I didn't describe the first problem all that well. I know zactly where the leak is. The lines and connections to the diffs are fine. It's under the square black thing which is under the approx. 1" square aluminum block that is mounted to the ARB air compressor. I can put my finger under it and hold it so it doesn't leak. It's well above any parts that actually bit the boulder; it just got the shock wave. Maybe need to call ARB and get a new part? If I could plug it somehow that would be fine.

As for the rocker rails/ steps, the dogs are bout 70 & 75 pounds. One is injured and needs her ramp, the other can jump in fine but will use the step if its there. Just looking for a solution that the dogs leg won't go through, works as a step for people too, and works as a rocker guard. Guess that might be custom weld on a stock product.... We'll get there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If I were you, I'ddefinitely call ARB. They will either replace the part or instruct you on how to fix the existing one.