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.