Are front and rear diffs interchangeable?

[Muzza68]

Hi everyone,
I've got HG41 diffs and need to replace/overhaul the rear diff. Are the front and rear diffs interchangeable? Most ads and websites refer to the front diff only. Rear diff seems rare.
2010 GU manual wagon, stock everything.
Does anyone here have a diff to sell or recommend a shop that can recondition the rear diff. Axles will also be overhauled.
Penrith area, Sydney.

Thanks
Muzza

[mudski]

I think you technically can but you will lose the rear LSD. I know the centre assy will bolt up to the diff, I'm not sure on the axle spline count and size if they are the same.

[dom14]

Factory front diff is an open one, so it's not the best option for the rear even if it fits perfect. Rear needs an LSD for off-roading.(speaking from GQ experience)
I don't think they would fit 'cos the two diff centers(front & back) look like as they are of different length, but I might be wrong about that.(just a vague memory from measuring them during last diff rebuild job)

Rear diff is 'rare' for obvious reasons, but it's not that rare.

Look in yellow pages for transmission/gearbox specialists. They are everywhere.

[dom14]

Hi everyone,
I've got HG41 diffs and need to replace/overhaul the rear diff. Are the front and rear diffs interchangeable? Most ads and websites refer to the front diff only. Rear diff seems rare.
2010 GU manual wagon, stock everything.
Does anyone here have a diff to sell or recommend a shop that can recondition the rear diff. Axles will also be overhauled.
Penrith area, Sydney.

Thanks
Muzza

What is the reason that you need to rebuild the rear? What's wrong with it?

Don't bother thinking about swapping the front to rear temporarily 'cos it's way too much work even if it is a straight swap. Front axles need to come out from both ends and with CVs it's PITA & unnecessary.
You can pull the rear axles out and take the diff center out and take it to a tranny guy to have it reconditioned. Rear diff is around 40kg. So, it can even fit onto the rear luggage rack of a bike.

You will need a special tool(square key) to undo the drain bolt of the diff(to drain the diff oil).
But, make sure to loosen up the filler bolt(bung) before undoing the drain bung. I'm not sure, but you might be able to use 1/2 inch socket extension. I made my own by cutting and grinding a 12mm bolt from Bunnings. And the diff is heavy so be prepared to hold it when you about to pull it out.(wearing a pair of safety glasses might be a good idea in case leftover oil drips onto your face/eyes )

[Rossco]

Yeah fill & drain plugs are Standard 1/2 inch drive. . Good idea about checking fill plug too, sometimes they are ridiculously tight

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[MudRunnerTD]

No they spinn in opposite directions I think?

I understand the rear LSD out of an early pathfinder might go in the front but the patrols won't swap.

I am also interested why you have to rebuild the rear? They are super rough!! So tough in fact I'd just swap out for another second hand one without hesitation. What is damaged? If it's just the LSD then fit a locker.



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[dom14]

No they spinn in opposite directions I think?

I understand the rear LSD out of an early pathfinder might go in the front but the patrols won't swap.

I am also interested why you have to rebuild the rear? They are super rough!! So tough in fact I'd just swap out for another second hand one without hesitation. What is damaged? If it's just the LSD then fit a locker.



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Yeah, Pathfinder rear LSD fits into the front diff of a Patrol(GQ afaik). Guys do that to make both ends LSD, which comes
handy when mud trekking. I think you just need to get the interior bits out of the pathfinder LSD and fit it into the Patrol front diff center casing.

[mudski]

No they spinn in opposite directions I think?

I think you are correct. I was thinking about this when I replied to the OP too.

[dom14]

I think you are correct. I was thinking about this when I replied to the OP too.

Yeah, makes sense, unless the front drive shaft is turning anti clockwise on wheel forward movement, which isn't the case afaik.
But, if the front driveshaft is designed to rotate in the same direction as the rear driveshaft by the way the transfer case chain/gear arrangement,
then they can be interchangeable.

[MudRunnerTD]

No they spinn in opposite directions I think?

I understand the rear LSD out of an early pathfinder might go in the front but the patrols won't swap.

I am also interested why you have to rebuild the rear? They are super rough!! So tough in fact I'd just swap out for another second hand one without hesitation. What is damaged? If it's just the LSD then fit a locker.



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That photo is of a front and rear diff centre. You can clearly see the crown wheels are opposite and won't interchange.