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GU Gearbox 5th gear failure

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:03 am
by BillJan
I drive a 2000 GU turbo Diesel with 115.000 km. Last Monday returning south from Cairns while passing a B double I lost 5th gear drive.
After getting my act together I apologised to the big rig driver who initially was not impressed with being cut up!
I think this sux, I survived the incident but for the less fortunate this failure could be catistrophic. Has anyone here had the same problem?

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:35 am
by Tony WestOZ
Its a known problem on 1999 and 2000 GU`s.
Nissan do a replacement shaft and gear and there`s some aftermarket ones available.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:09 am
by raptorthumper
read this post.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=22988



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Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:15 pm
by BillJan
Thanks for your feedback & information, I'm going to approach Nissan in Dandenong for warranty.
The timing for my failure was not good, I was on the Bruce north of Townsville in the on-coming lane beside a BDouble & caravan/car, I sucked the seat cushion up my ass!
I wont repeat what I said on CH40 but the truckie initially was not impressed.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:34 pm
by bogged
BillJan wrote:Thanks for your feedback & information, I'm going to approach Nissan in Dandenong for warranty..
i think your expecting a little much on an 8yr old car.

also more here http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/index.php and here http://forums.overlander.com.au/ and here http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.aspx and http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/index.php and.......

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:44 pm
by Tony WestOZ
bogged wrote:i think your expecting a little much on an 8yr old car.
I know a bloke how hit Nissan up for one in 2006 when his failed. He had to pay part of the cost but not all of it.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:50 pm
by bogged
Tony WestOZ wrote:
bogged wrote:i think your expecting a little much on an 8yr old car.
I know a bloke how hit Nissan up for one in 2006 when his failed. He had to pay part of the cost but not all of it.
its similar to grenade owners expecting engine rebuilds..
Others since 06 have also had luck with it.. But at what point should it no longer be Nissans problem? 20yrs later?

I hope they come to the party for the bloke, that would be excellent. It can only be cost of dozen phone calls..

But recent history says he maynot be so lucky.

YMMV

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:22 pm
by turps
bogged wrote:
Tony WestOZ wrote:
bogged wrote:i think your expecting a little much on an 8yr old car.
I know a bloke how hit Nissan up for one in 2006 when his failed. He had to pay part of the cost but not all of it.
its similar to grenade owners expecting engine rebuilds..
Others since 06 have also had luck with it.. But at what point should it no longer be Nissans problem? 20yrs later?

I hope they come to the party for the bloke, that would be excellent. It can only be cost of dozen phone calls..

But recent history says he maynot be so lucky.

YMMV
There is some law regarding faulty from factory. But have not done a recall. They are at least partly liable for repairs even out of warranty. This is the same way ZD30 owners are or where getting engines rebuilt/replaced way out of warranty.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:25 pm
by BillJan
The vehicle may be 8 years old but with 115k on the clock its very young compared with many Patrols up here with original gearboxes.

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:32 am
by GU20s
my gu ute did the same thing stripped the spline between the gear and the main shaft nissan do a modded shaft and gear as a set was just under $500 when i did mine 12 months ago (cost more for a bearing kit) mine is a 99 and had only done 120 000km was told that there was a recall on this but the original owner only did 30 000km in the first 3 years so it never got done untill it happened to me (on the highway moving house drove it 600km in 4th) all in all its not to bad to do i had the box out rebuilt with new bearings and back in in a day easy

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:32 pm
by MJP
Had the same thing happen to me. Cruising down the freeway in Melbourne and it just popped. Ended up getting Nissan to supply the main parts but it still cost me $1700 to get all the work done. There was a post on here that i started about it. Mine is a 4.2TD 2000 GU and was also out of warranty which meant i struggled to get them to cough up. It was 2 years ago now.

Good luck,
Mark

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:26 am
by BillJan
Thanks gentlemen for all your feedback, it is obvious that there is a design issue. Nissan are lucky this particular drive spline design was only for 2-3 years. Or there would be a heap more angry people wanting retribution!

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:35 am
by bogged
if you end up paying for it, Marks adapters do a 5th gear change, which also changes ratio for the 5th.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:11 pm
by BillJan
Thanks for your input. I'm already back up & running with a new Nissan genuine modified shaft & gear. I have been talking to a few of the guys who work the mines out west & all say to use 5th only above 80km/hr. That's even with the new g/boxes.