GU - Front Diff Clicking Noise

Hi Andrew,

Yeah I though it might be the auto hubs, so when I was out with Paul & Frank (Adventure Campers) for a week around Innaminka shooting the campers I locked them in but unfortunately no change.

I'll ask about CV's when I drop it in on Friday.

Thanks,

Aaron.

P.S. - love the magazine, great work :)

I've driven hundreds of kays on sand, loose gravel, wet stuff but haven't noticed any situation that increases or decreases the sound level.

It's not very loud, but it is annoying and means something isn't right. On the Tibooburra, Cam Corner, Innaminka trip I had a 100 Cruiser owner as a co-driver and was forced (through sheer embarrasement) to apologise for the noise my Nissan was making :(

So the answer is I haven't done any specific testing on corners, but I haven't noticed it.

I'll go and have a quick drive tonight to specifically listen for changes when turning.

Thanks,

Aaron.

Wow, it must be load then. If its a CV and its that loud then the damage should be pretty obvious.

I have the same sound coming from my GQ at the moment.

thought of CVs but if it hapens in straight line, and doesnt increase in corners, it aint them..
So Im lookin at the hubs next..

bleep in me off big time.

G'day Muzz,

From the low level of noise coming out of it, I don't think it's anything major. But I did buy the car new 11mths ago, so I'd like it to be making all the right noises or lack of them :)

I'm heading off to Fraser on the weekend though, and if Nissan can't fix it with the 3rd try, I'll not be too worried while I'm away. Do you Nissan would take any responsiblity if it broke down on Fraser though? No me either :)

Thanks,

Aaron.

Hi PG,

Sounds like it was more than just wrong fluid, must have been glue or something to make the transfer case stick when it was out of 4wd ;) It doesn't sound too healthy. But I'll mention it the Nissan as well.

Thanks,

Aaron.

Hey Mr Baggins,

My Gu has Auto/Manual hubs. That is, they are usually auto, but you can lock them in manual.

What was your fix? I'll be printing out all these answers and taking them to Nissan so they can see what others have done.

Thanks,

Aaron.

Fusion,

I'm not sure if the new Patrols ahve the same front end set up as the old ones, but here's what I found on my old 1989 GQ Maverick (Nissan) ute. It's an edited reprint from a rely I made on the forum last year. Hope it helps.

Copy 'n past start.............."inside the front locking hub there is a spacer ring. It's easy to get access to it. Just remove the Allen screws (11mm metric) and tap off (gently) the outer hub. Inside there you'll see the locking clutch. Around the outside of that clutch is very thin steel ring that looks like part of the whole assemby. It isn't. It fits between the aluminium outer casing and the inner clutch asembly. These rings can 'catch' on the clutch hub and create high temperatures through friction. When they are really dry and 'catching' they can make a very elusive rattling sound. It took me weeks to track this noise down when it happened to me. Just remove the ring and have a look at it. If it looks burnt or scarred then it's 'catching'. Rub down the high spots on the inside of the ring and on the outside of the clutch assembly with fine emery cloth or wet 'n dry pape, put some grease on it and put it back. Be careful with removing & replacing the circlip. It's tricky........."

Cut 'n Paste ends

I had to do that way out in the bush. It was driving me insane listening to that noise. I sat on the bonnet of the truck whilst my son drove. Hanging onto the bull bar over the front of the truclk............listening, listening..........I musta been mad but I found it.

Bilbo

LOL, I'd love to see some video of you holding onto the bullbar while driving along. Did anyone see you?

Great job on finding the problem. I'll point this one out to Nissan as well. There have been a number of issues people have had, it should be one of them. I'll let you all know, assuming Nissan fix it :)

Thanks,

Bilbo.

Fusion,

No, there's no video and only my son was with me. We were prospecting about 120kms NE of Laverton in WA - indian country, real far out.

We had all sorts of problems, including his Suzuki Sierra at the time.

Afer stripping out a whole Nissan front axle with no help in sight, whilst whistling and drinking a beer, my son stated - "Only crazy people come out here - Dad yer mad". And he never came bush with me again.

Liuckily I'm a former truck mechanic, so breaking down in the bush really wasn't a BIG problem. But I can think of better ways to pass some time!

Hope ya fix yer Nissan.

Bilbo