Possible clutch damage after towing

[dom14]

What puzzles me is that GU is heavier than GQ. Yet, they installed a 4:3 LSD(rear) with a clutch pack half the size of GQ one.
I wonder why they thought a seemingly weaker LSD in the rear of GU is ok for a 4WD?
Length of the rear axles between GQs and GUs are pretty much the same, as well as the drive shafts(GU's shorter?)
So, it doesn't make any sense to me that the new factory fitted GU 4:3 rear diff is weaker than the GQ one.
GUs 4:3 rear LSD's clutch pack is so small, the diff can easily be mistaken for an open diff, rather than an LSD.

Any thoughts guys?

'cos if I'm to be told the GU rear 4:3 LSD is as strong as GQ one, I won't bother finishing the half finished rebuilding job of the GQ rear diff.
(It's a job better left to a specialists, but I got onto it and acquired all the tools, thinking it will be fun, but it hasn't been)
It was the stuffed up pinion bearing. But, since I've dismantled it to pieces, I won't have a choice but, replacing all the bearings and setting the preloads and backlash, though I'm not
planning to dismantle the clutch pack and replacing them(assuming they are already good) or setting spider gear backlashes.
So, in reality it's a less than half a rebuild job.
But, I don't think even a diff specialist would dismantle spider gears and clutch packs for a repair job that only need to replace the pinion bearing and set the pinion bearing preload, or do they do the whole thing anyway?
In my case, I was pretty sure, I could get away with simply replacing the pinion bearing and setting the preload, but ended up dismantling the side bearing s as well. But, it would be a waste anyway, 'cos it was not possible to buy just the pinion bearing.
They all come as a kit, which includes the pinion bearing and the side bearings.

[BigRAWesty]

As far as I'm awear the lsd diffs are the same.
As with most things to do with gq to gu.
Small clutch?? Well I guess that depends on the engine. Pretty sure the 4.2 engines are pretty similar across the 2 models.

The main difference is the front diff.
The gu has a 50mm wider track over the gq. But it's also much beefier in the cv knuckles and the cv's themselves.
There was one diff which was different to the rest, and from memory that was the 4.8 petrol gu I think. Was a larger one. But unsure about strength.

As for the ratios. Well they vary depending on engine, transmission and year.

Yes the gu is heavier, but that's no big deal. Makes a nicer ride.

[Robo]

Clutch problems (shudder) hot spots on fly wheel may be the reason,
Seeming worse in reverse, clutch is used to stresses in forward motion.

As for the smell, mixture of oil and clutch dust probably.

[Winnie]

What if I'm to say, I might end up doing sand driving on big red?

I do have a high lift jack and a manual winch. But, won't help, will it?

I have driven big red with no lockers, just the factory lsd.

[dom14]

As far as I'm awear the lsd diffs are the same.
As with most things to do with gq to gu.
Small clutch?? Well I guess that depends on the engine. Pretty sure the 4.2 engines are pretty similar across the 2 models.

The main difference is the front diff.
The gu has a 50mm wider track over the gq. But it's also much beefier in the cv knuckles and the cv's themselves.
There was one diff which was different to the rest, and from memory that was the 4.8 petrol gu I think. Was a larger one. But unsure about strength.

As for the ratios. Well they vary depending on engine, transmission and year.

Yes the gu is heavier, but that's no big deal. Makes a nicer ride.

I meant the clutch pack in the middle of the rear LSD, not the drive clutch. It's smaller in GU 4:3 one. The diffs are identical other than that, except the pinion flange.
GU flange was slightly longer and beefier(if I recall correctly)

Yes, the GU & GQ rear LSDs are identical from outside, but it's not inside(at least not the ones I got my hand on)

By the looks of it, smaller clutch pack in the GU rear LSD means that, it(LSD clutch pack) might wear out quicker.

I have some pictures of both LSDs. Have a look at the two pictures.

Yes, GU is a more comfortable ride from what I've heard. I"m guessing they made some improvements to the suspension?

[happygu]

I meant the clutch pack in the middle of the rear LSD, not the drive clutch. It's smaller in GU 4:3 one. The diffs are identical other than that, except the pinion flange.
GU flange was slightly longer and beefier(if I recall correctly)

Yes, the GU & GQ rear LSDs are identical from outside, but it's not inside(at least not the ones I got my hand on)

By the looks of it, smaller clutch pack in the GU rear LSD means that, it(LSD clutch pack) might wear out quicker.

I have some pictures of both LSDs. Have a look at the two pictures.

Yes, GU is a more comfortable ride from what I've heard. I"m guessing they made some improvements to the suspension?

I don't have Diff Locks in my GU, and have never worn out an LSD over four of them, so they are still very strong...... if that makes any difference for you.

My GQ had the factory rear locker so I can't directly compare them, but I know I used to get stuck more often with the open rear diff, so the LSD obviously does have an effect.

As Winnie said earlier, Simpson is well and truly OK without Diff Locks, and it is all down to tyre pressure. Don't be afraid to drop your pressures, and you will make it far ... just make sure that you have a good quality compressor to pump the tyres back up for the road sections at either end .....

[dom14]

I don't have Diff Locks in my GU, and have never worn out an LSD over four of them, so they are still very strong...... if that makes any difference for you.

My GQ had the factory rear locker so I can't directly compare them, but I know I used to get stuck more often with the open rear diff, so the LSD obviously does have an effect.

As Winnie said earlier, Simpson is well and truly OK without Diff Locks, and it is all down to tyre pressure. Don't be afraid to drop your pressures, and you will make it far ... just make sure that you have a good quality compressor to pump the tyres back up for the road sections at either end .....

Yes, mate. I do have 150L/m compressor. I've started building my own little tank as well(to pump tyres, in case tyres need changing).

If I understood you correctly, I don't need to worry about rebuilding the original GQ rear LSD and can do well with the GU rear LSD in my GQ.

I'm hoping to do tracks like Birdsville track as well. I thought diff locker might come handy when or if the parts of those tracks get muddy.

What I would love to have is a AWD fourby. I'm just dreaming.

[nissannewby]

There are differences in the later gu lsd. There is yet to be any proof that one is better than the other. You can still get the basket type in gus but its not known until you pull it out. The different type uses clutch packs on the side gears instead of in a basket like the other type.

[nissannewby]

Ok. Something to look at differently.
Is it possible that you've damaged or finished of an engine mount.
Mine were fubar and when reversing.. Well it wasn't fun. Vibrations were crazy.
But driving normally it was fine.

New mounts no more problems.

I think it may be possible that if your engine or gearbox mounts were nearly had it, you've finished them off with the aggressive reversing, as your torquing the engine differently when reversing to when going forward.

Just a thought.

The engine still rotates in the same direction.....

[Rock Trol]

There are differences in the later gu lsd. There is yet to be any proof that one is better than the other. You can still get the basket type in gus but its not known until you pull it out. The different type uses clutch packs on the side gears instead of in a basket like the other type.

Nissannewby, do you know if there was a model or year they changed over? Or where both LSD types installed concurrently in different models of Patrol (DX vs ST/Ute vs Wagon etc.).