Symptoms
Wet backing plate or inner rim, oily brake shoes or pads, a falling diff oil level.
The fix, step by step
- Rear axle oil seals are a known GU leak.
- Drain or lower the diff oil, remove the wheel and brake, and undo the axle retainer.
- Pull the axle with a slide hammer, then replace the inner oil seal in the housing.
- If the bearing is rough, have the bearing and collar pressed off and on at a shop.
- Clean contaminated brake parts or replace them, refit the axle and refill with LSD-rated gear oil if the diff is a limited-slip.
- Nissan's Y61 service manual specifies Nissan Hypoid LSD gear oil (KLD31-14002), or API GL-5 SAE 140 with 10% by volume of LSD friction modifier (38469-C6000), which matches what an owner quoted on ExplorOz.
- A non-LSD diff takes API GL-5, with 80W-90 preferred in cold and warm climates.
Tools & part numbers
- Slide hammer
- seal puller and driver
- access to a press
- brake cleaner
Where to buy the parts
Genuine Nissan rear axle shaft grease seal, H233 GQ/GUPatrolapart ↗Amazon ↗
Genuine Nissan rear axle inner bearing, GQ/GUPatrolapart ↗Amazon ↗
Rear wheel bearing kit, drum-brake Patrol GU (cab-chassis)HD Automotive ↗Amazon ↗
LSD gear oil 85W-140Supercheap Auto (search) ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Nissan Patrol Y61 (GU) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.