Help! Rear wheels locked up and wont go into gear???

[nikp_7]

So first I have a Nissan Patrol, GQ 92. Turbo diesel

Last night leaveing a bbq, id had a beer or two so wife was driving, leaving a driveway on a hill she chose second and turned onto main traffic.

It was obviously too high a gear n she struggled for a second before the rear wheels locked up and stalled. I quickly jumped in, started the car, the clutch had spring, went to select gear and as I released the clutch, nothing, like it was still in neutral. The car behind got out to help push but the wheels wouldnt budge. Luckily he had a snatch strap and he dragged me off the road. My wife noticed the front wheels spinning but the back locked.

At first I thought the clutch, but it felt fine, then I thought the gearbox had collapsed on itself and was stuck in gear, but this morning I realised if that was the case, the car wouldnt of started in gear

Im going to have a look this morning, there was no fluid leaks last night either, any suggestions what it could be.? Im gonna try reverse it, if that doesnt work, im gonna try put it in 4wd and lock the hubs and see if I can get the front end going.

Im prety lost with this to be honest.

[threedogs]

Can only think ,maybe the hand brake has jammed on somehow.
Look forward to what you find, very puzzling

[nikp_7]

Cheers guys.

I dont think its the hand brake, as i dont even feel the car lean forward as i i release the clutch, it just feels like neutral.

Leaving now to go have a better look, instead of 11pm at night on a busy main road.

[GUtsy ute]

Locked in two gears at the same time?

[Cuppa]

Intriguing. Looking forward to hearing the outcome. I'll put my money on the transfer case lever having been knocked out of place????

[the ferret]

I would remove rear drive shaft and see if the rear wheels are free to turn, you could then drive it home in 4wd with hubs engaged.
I suspect also, transfer box or as said, 2 gears at the same time, this can happen when there is a lot of slop in the gear lever.
Cheers, the ferret.

[nikp_7]

Ok, i think its the rear diff. I have photos and a quick video to upload.

So i jumped in, and she started fine. So, its not the gearbox stuck in gear. Clutch felt good. Tried reverse as i read somewhere the can help unlock the diff temporarily, nothing. So i locked the hubs put it in 4h and tried to go, its tried to pull me.

It was like the handbrake was stuck on. So i had my brother under to check the brakes, and he seen that the brake cable looked like it was releasing.

So, pretty much assumed the diff. And by the looks of it, check the photos, it looked flogged out. The video shows how much movement i got.

All pretty odd. Pretty dissapointing as i bought the Patrol 2months ago, and was putting and entire new interior in it. Id taken it back to a shell, and put a new headliner, flooring, seats, re-furbished plastices, reverse camera, bluetooth, gps, central looking, alarm, new door trims....i had finished the interior, THAT DAY, it was the first drive for a month. Planning on going away Easter, so hopefully i can fix this before than. Apparently it shouldnt be too hard and i have a couple blokes offer to help who knows there shit.

So at the moment i figure i need to source a new diff. Does anyone know what the standard diff is for a 92 GQ, Turbo diesel???

I found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-Patrol-Gq-Rear-Diff-3-9-LSD-/181048235139#vi-content

Hers the Vid of the diff:

http://youtu.be/NHIUdTPFnEs

And pics:

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/75.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/76.jpg


http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/77.jpg

[Parksy]

Criest! Never seen that before. You might get lucky by pulling off the tail shaft at the diff end and adjusting the pinion nut(ie just tighten it up to remove the clearance) though that's a long shot. Chances are your pinion bearings are dead, especially if its been run with that much clearance.

When you try to drive in 2wd, you said that it feels like nuetral? Does the tail shaft spin? Have probably chipped a crown wheel tooth as well.

[nikp_7]

Criest! Never seen that before. You might get lucky by pulling off the tail shaft at the diff end and adjusting the pinion nut(ie just tighten it up to remove the clearance) though that's a long shot. Chances are your pinion bearings are dead, especially if its been run with that much clearance.

When you try to drive in 2wd, you said that it feels like nuetral? Does the tail shaft spin? Have probably chipped a crown wheel tooth as well.

Back home now, so cant tell till i get it towed here

If it is a pinion bearing, will a new diff centre be the way to go?

Oh, and when i have it in 2wd, i tried slowly releasing the clutch to see if the rev counter was affected to see if it was actually in gear, and ye, it did put the engine under a lil strain and i felt the car move a little.

[the ferret]

Colapsed pinion bearing or loose pinion nut, either way, she's cactus.
A new diff centre and you'll be off like a dirty shirt!!.
Cheers, the ferret.

[Parksy]

An entire diff center will be the way to go.

But I'd still tighten the pinion nut, drain the diff oil and look out for metallic particles as well as feel inside the drain hole for any large items. Then jack both rear wheels and spin the pinion by hand feeling for any roughness. You will need to spin it anyway if tightening the pinion nut because there is such thing as too tight.
But you might get lucky...

[nikp_7]

With it being a collapsed Pinion bearing, you wouldnt think it would look up so tight?? Or would you?

Anyway, sourcing a new diff centre now.

Any ideas on what ill need, ratio wise? Is it pretty standard for my patrol, or how is the best way i go about finding out?


Cheers

[Cuppa]

Strewth!
Give new meaning to 'diff lock'. (Sorry couldn't resist)
Hope you can get it sorted without too much drama & cost.

Cuppa

[Parksy]

Look under your bonnet you will find your vin number stamped on an alloy plate. On this plate it says trans/axle and there will be a some letters and a couple of numbers. I can't remember exactly what they were, but mine says hg41, meaning my diff ratio is 4.1:1.

[threedogs]

Got out of that cheap hopefully just the pinion bearings.

[krbrooking]

Unlucky mate hope you are able to get it sorted, might be a good time to chuck in the diff locks while getting rebuilt or from what I have heard you can fit a gu diff with LSD.(but don't quote me in that).

[MudRunnerTD]

yep they will be 4.1:1 and that one on ebay will not be suitable.

Where abouts are you mate?

Check out my build thread mate in my sig line, i stripped a rear diff today and have posted a heap of pics of how it came apart which will interest you i reckon. pretty easy to do while still on the car.

Both Axles need to be pulled out (Not all the way like i did) and then you can take the whole 3rd member out in one go and all will be clear when you take it out.

Where abouts are you mate? What state?

[nikp_7]

yep they will be 4.1:1 and that one on ebay will not be suitable.

Where abouts are you mate?

Check out my build thread mate in my sig line, i stripped a rear diff today and have posted a heap of pics of how it came apart which will interest you i reckon. pretty easy to do while still on the car.

Both Axles need to be pulled out (Not all the way like i did) and then you can take the whole 3rd member out in one go and all will be clear when you take it out.

Where abouts are you mate? What state?

Ha, champion. Ill go suss out your thread first thing in the morning!

4.1:1 will be the way to go aswell. I should get it towed home and check tomorrow.

Im in Newcastle mate, NSW

[MudRunnerTD]

Ha, champion. Ill go suss out your thread first thing in the morning!

4.1:1 will be the way to go aswell. I should get it towed home and check tomorrow.

Im in Newcastle mate, NSW


You also have 27 posts so you are eligible to now download a full factory manual mate. 1200 pages. G to the manuals section and help yourself mate.

Good luck, you should have little trouble finding a 4.1 centre from a wreckers. How was your LSD? You might be able to save it by stripping it out if the one you buy is average.

Post some pics once you have stripped out the 3rd member.


If a new diff centre gets expensive then you should think about swapping them both out for a set of 4.3s. Note also that a GU diff centre will go straight in except if it came out OD a H260 rear diff which is much bigger. You might find some tidy GU low mileage centres with a strong LSD

[happygu]

This thread may be of some help to you.......

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?19098-For-Sale-4.1-diff-centres-front-with-locker-rear-LSD

[nuts1957]

Wow thats a shokker i would have thought there may have been some sign of oil if she was on her way out, hope its up and running far Easter

[nikp_7]

Just an update, had a closer look. Buggered up real good. Cracked the casing. Luckily found a Diff centre, looked at the data plate, if im reading it right, i need an 4.1:1. Although a bloke said ill need an LSD, but i thought they were only the GU????

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/99.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/100.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/03/101.jpg

[nikp_7]

Oh and cheers for the workshop manuals...i cant seem to find diff centre removal in it.

As far as i can understand its, wheels off, brakes off, tail shaft off, short axels out, diff centre out, anyone done this before and can run me thru a basic process???

Im an Aircraft mechanic by trade, so pretty cluey mechanically, but a bit lost when it comes to cars, i only know the basics

[BigRAWesty]

Nice job...
A lot of patrols came stock with rear lsd. Best on the market..
Not sure if yours is fitted. There could be a sticker on the diff still, I know mine is.. just jack rear axle and spin one wheel. The other will spin the same if its lsd.

If you have a case, you could probably fit the lsd into it, if in good knick.
and yes, asking as you have stock diffs, you'll need the 4.1-1

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[nissannewby]

He can't spin it but.... The LSD will have like a clutch in the middle where as an open you will be able to just see gears. It could be a possibility but I haven't heard of any patrols being open in the rear they are all LSD.

[PMC]

He can't spin it but.... The LSD will have like a clutch in the middle where as an open you will be able to just see gears. It could be a possibility but I haven't heard of any patrols being open in the rear they are all LSD.

G'day nissannewby,

I think you are right once again old mate!

Regards,

RLI

[Bloodyaussie]

He can't spin it but.... The LSD will have like a clutch in the middle where as an open you will be able to just see gears. It could be a possibility but I haven't heard of any patrols being open in the rear they are all LSD.

This is what I thought.....

[MudRunnerTD]

Oh and cheers for the workshop manuals...i cant seem to find diff centre removal in it.

As far as i can understand its, wheels off, brakes off, tail shaft off, short axels out, diff centre out, anyone done this before and can run me thru a basic process???

Im an Aircraft mechanic by trade, so pretty cluey mechanically, but a bit lost when it comes to cars, i only know the basics

Have a look at my build thread mate, there is a full group of pics from a rear diff pull down yesterday. It is very simple.

A GU centre will have a strong LSD in it. Those cracks in your 3rd member are crazy mate!!!

You might need rear axles too if the splines are knackered?? Certainly rear axle seals for sure

[threedogs]

And you heard nothing ??? what the heck were you drinking..LOL

[happygu]

The only non-LSD rear diff, is the one with the factory Diff Lock...

Mic

[NP99]

How did this end mate?

[Matty_D]

If you have to replace the rear diff would you use 4:11 gears?