GU Ute Failure

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 10:22
ThreadID: 44152 Views:2289 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
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Hello, Just looking under the ute the other day, found something that made me think... oh dear, that dosen't look right...!!!!! My rear srping towers are both lifting up.. And peeling off the chassis where they are welded.. Has anyone else had this same problem ??? I haven't been carting any big loads. We returned from our trip up north 3 weeks ago, we did do a bit of rough 4wd, but not extreme stuff. With our tray-on camper fully loaded its only about 450kg. Looks like I'll be getting the welder out this weekend......
Any help would be greatfull

Thanks
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Reply By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:01

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:01
Hi Bag Boy, unfortunately this is a bit of a common problem and I have 'heard' of a few failures although never seen one. To this end, when I bought my Cab Chassis last year I had fish plates welded to the chassis rails at the base of the spring mounts, had the tops of the spring towers plated and had a beam welded across both spring top pplates, effectivley locking them together. I did this pre-emptively as Brad Newham from ARB Gawler would not upgrade my suspension until I had these mods done! Brad has had to bush-weld a few of these GU failures in the past apparently.

Another EO member, Errol, had some pics on how he modified his - hope he will respond to your email soon.

I had a specialist chassis place do mine. It took a week, but they took the tray off did the mods and refitted the tray; they even resprayed the whole chassis with that bitumised black goop, too. The end result cost around $800 but now have a ton of confidence as I too carry a camper on the back of mine, have 400kg springs and air-bags (although they still haven't had to be used to level the truck).

Best of luck.
AnswerID: 232526

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:06

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:06
hehehe
beat me by 3 minutes :-))
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FollowupID: 493411

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:04

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:04
Does happen commonly on the coil cabs - especially with a camper - drive it onto a weighbridge fully loaded, and you may be surprised that its over the 3150kg GVM. The towers need to be reinforced - two friends with Nissans have had it done while the vehicle was new. I think the work was done by Alltrac in Adelaide. Here are some photos while the tray was off:
!MPG:27!
!MPG:28!
AnswerID: 232527

Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:17

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:17
Hi Phil, mine was done by ChassisTech at Brompton. Had mine on a calibrated hoist on Thursday and still under 3000kg (half fuel and full water load + two spares on rims), but reckon I'm close to GVM fully loaded as it wouldn't take too much to exceed it.

I take it the photos are of Greg's GU?
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FollowupID: 493413

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:32

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:32
Yep thats greg's. His vehicle did the Madigan Line last year plus a lot of the WA deserts, and at 3800kg, I think the reinforcement has done the trick. You've done well to stay under 3000kg - have to see what can be done about that :-)))
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FollowupID: 493414

Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:33

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 11:33
Working on it now :))))))))
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FollowupID: 493415

Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 00:53

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 00:53
I Do Not Believe Any of This - Nissan making a dud vehicle, never.

Nup! thats just defamatory libel and you all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Shame, shame, shame, shame.

AnswerID: 232661

Follow Up By: Member - 'Lucy' - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 00:57

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 00:57
Ooops!

Forgot to add - how do I know?.

Because Roachie told me so ( Many times and all unsolicited)
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FollowupID: 493538

Follow Up By: Granpa Joe - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 18:01

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 18:01
Lucy,
The only time I have seen spring seats on this setup crack is when there have been polyairs installed that are stopping the spring from doing it's job. These are usually installed as a compromise fix and stop the bump stops from copping a hiding.
If the spring can't compress then something else has to,doesn't it.
Put a block of timber between the chassis and the leaves on your troopy and see how easily that that toyo diff becomes a piece of licorice. ;)
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FollowupID: 493658

Reply By: Member Carree (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 01:59

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 01:59
Hi guys
I had a similar problem last year, also carry a slide on camper. I made up a 100x 50mm rhs ,welded a flat plate on each end , cut out holes for airbag line, relocated fuel and brake lines and bolted bar to rails on the tray. Has worked very well for me and also made one for a mate with same with no problems. Sorry didnt take pictures but can provide specs if anyone wants them. It can also be done without having to relocate fuel lines ,just use a smaller plate to sit on inside of towers
AnswerID: 232666

Reply By: Leroy - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:24

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:24
The common denominator in all the failures is putting in too heavy a duty spring in. Instead of the spring compressing, the tower being weaker bends up. A mate was having probs with ARB rear springs sagging due to the weight of everything (kaymar rear bar and carriers etc) and the youg fella at ARB was about to put in springs from the ute and said no because of the above mentioned reason.

Leroy
AnswerID: 232689

Reply By: Peter 2 - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 19:17

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 19:17
It happens to the wagons too crushing the fuel and brake lines against the floor, an acquaintance had a very expensive repair a long way from home.
AnswerID: 232806

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