GU,s with faulty gear box
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 19:50
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The Geriatric Gypsies
goodday all
can anybody tell what years the GU were made with the faulty 5th gear and what the actual problem was
mate rang today ooh ohh its currently only a 4 speed
steve
Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 20:28
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 20:28
It was the GU III up to late 2001. Allegedly fixed with longer splines on the fifth gear in 2002.
Cheers Mick
AnswerID:
377139
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 20:50
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 20:50
G'Day Steve,
I got a 2000 and a 2001, both have had 5th gear crap themselves. The 200 model was picked up at a gearbox oil change when a rusty coloured oil was removed, apparently this may be a precursor to the gear actually letting go???? The 2001 was my uncle's when it just grinded to an almighty noisy mess. Once a different gear was selected, they were able to continue on to
Norseman where it was fixed.
Solution is replacing 5th gear and main shaft. The replacement main shaft will (should) have longer splines on it going right through 5th gear. The faulty ones do not. One interesting note is, check out the 5th gear spacers from a GQ and compare them to that of the GU, the older ones have a semi-circular cutout in them allowing oil to penetrate the shaft, the GU spacers do not. Under reccomendation from a gearbox rebuilder up here, I fitted the older GQ spacers to
mine when it was being rebuilt. Your mate may want to look into this and make his own mind up about it???
Sadly he won't get much change from 3G if he is doing it properly through a gearbox rebuilder.
Take it easy (I know you always do ;-)) and travel safe.
Trevor.
AnswerID:
377141
Follow Up By: The Geriatric Gypsies - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 21:34
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 21:34
goodday trevor
did you tow in 5th gear and if so do you think this increased the probabllity of the crunch happening
steve
FollowupID:
644520
Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 02, 2009 at 09:24
Sunday, Aug 02, 2009 at 09:24
Steve,
In my 2000 model, I never towed in 5th gear and rarely drove empty in 5th as I was made aware of the potential problem early in my ownership. This vehicle lasted until 280000km until the gear oil discolouration was found (5th gear never actually let go in this car but the splines were ready to let go when things were fixed). I made my uncle aware of the potential problems but he decided to ignore the warnings and did tow in 5th, his 2001 model (now
mine) lasted until 110000km before the big "let go" on the Nullabor of
all places. In the big scheme of things it made bugger all difference whether I towed in 5th or not as both vehicles still needed the repair but and it is a big but if you know about the potential problem why use 5th at alll? It makes stuff all difference to economy and no difference to engine longevity. My 2000 model is as strong as ever with 380000km on the clock. Compression tested not long ago to check viability of adding an even bigger hairdryer to produce even more HP than I already have and it come back very positive indeed, surprising even myself.
Now that I have the fixed main shaft, I do use 5th gear but still don't tow in 5th. Others that have travelled with me will vouch, top end speed is still no problem when towing in 4th (for me anyway).
Hope it helps.
Trevor.
FollowupID:
644562
Reply By: The Geriatric Gypsies - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 21:30
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 21:30
thanks for the replies gents i will pass them onto my mate
he will probabaly do the job himself as he is a mechanicand just bought a new house which has a great setup fo him
steve
AnswerID:
377154