[Stuey]

......according to Suzuki Shop in Perth WA. Every Vitara ever sold came out with an aluminium front diff housing and carrier and that anyone who ever told me a steel one existed didn't know what they were talking about cos he'd been pulling apart Suzuki's for over 20 years and he should know.

That was what I was told when I went in today to ask to buy a steel housing etc off a grand vitara today to replace my ally one. Needless to say I was a little shocked. Granted I've never seen a steel housing in the flesh, but I'm somewhat more inclined to believe that the people on here know what they are talking about.

So.... given that there are not very many suzuki wreckers here in the west, can someone provide me with a VIN number for a grand vitara model with a steel housing and carrier fitted? I'll use this to get pricing from a Suzuki dealer and see if the price is reasonable for new parts.

While I was at the wreckers today, I also enquired about the cost of 5.12 diff centers to swap out my 4.6. units. $440 each was the quoted price. Does that sound reasonable to you? Seems a touch high in my opinion.

[joeblow]

was it a suzuki shop or a wrecker? if its a wrecker they are just a wrecker, they aren't known for thier intelect. ask him to look at a manual 2.5 v6

[Stuey]

Suzuki Shop was the name of the company. But it is a wrecker specializing in Suzukis (supposedly) and korean cars. They had a 2.5 GV in the yard with what I assumed was a steel housing. I pointed to it and said "so you are telling me that this diff housing is not steel?" to which I was given the reply "yup, thats an alloy housing". I questioned back saying that its a different colour and all but he was not to be swayed. Even the grease monkey in the workshop agreed that they were all alloy. WTF is with that?

[christover1]

Clearly they wanted that one for themselves

[royce]

why dont you just say well then I would like to buy the alloy housing from that there GV please

[gravity_powered]

Rumor has it that Diesel Vitaras sold in other countries came out with steel housings.

You could use a steel housing from a V6 Manual GV (Autos and 4 pots are alloy), just make sure to bin the useless air free wheel bits inside

[royce]

all GV after 03 are steel as well

[atari4x4]

The later GV's have a different pinion mount compared to the Vitara's

[royce]

they still interchange though, hard to get under the sump but they fit

[Zook_Fan]

royce wrote:

why dont you just say well then I would like to buy the alloy housing from that there GV please

x2. if they figure out it is steel they will charge you an arse load more

[Stuey]

Well further to this, I got in touch with another Suzuki parts supplier, and they confirmed the availability of the steel housings.

I was more shocked than anything else with the response I got at that wreckers. I know that I had to look for a Grand Vitara V6 Manual, or a late model besides the XL7 due to pinion mount but it never even got that far. After being told that I was misinformed and that whoever had told me a steel housing existed didn't know what they were talking about, I wasnt going to argue the point. I just left.

I was sent a brilliant suggestion via PM to go in there with a magnet! Sticks = Steel, Falls off = Alloy.

[MUD-PIG]

I'd just do what the others have said ask for the so called Alloy housing one that way you don't get ripped. The wreckers up here think their parts are gold plated or some thing cos they love selling things for more than what they are worth new, and that's after telling you what car its on and to go get it off the car yourself.

When I went looking for a EL-EF Falcon Alternator the were asking what year model, I said I just wanted a EL-EF as its going on my Sierra they said it would never work and then wanted $360 for one.

[Zook_Fan]

ah the joys of Rockhampton Wreckers.... go in and find what you want, pull everything around it apart until you get what you want out, take it to the front counter and bargain them down. If they dont go low enough just say "okay but if i go back out there and look again you will never find it again". From this they will either drop their price or say whatever, if so take it back out in the yard, hide it, come back later and bargain again

[Rockhopper]

$440 for diff centres sounds a bit pricey too if they are second hand. I'm pretty sure you could get new ones for not much more than that.

[joeblow]

Rockhopper wrote:

$440 for diff centres sounds a bit pricey too if they are second hand. I'm pretty sure you could get new ones for not much more than that.

mmm....bout 1500 bucks genuine..............

[Rockhopper]

joeblow wrote:

Rockhopper wrote:

$440 for diff centres sounds a bit pricey too if they are second hand. I'm pretty sure you could get new ones for not much more than that.

mmm....bout 1500 bucks genuine..............

Was'nt thinking genuine, was thinking aftermarket, but I'm probably wrong

[atari4x4]

I picked up a 2nd hand set of 5.12's for $160.00

[Stuey]

It seem $440 is the going price here for the diffs. I've rung around and emailed a few places. I was also quoted $550 for one set, $440 each if I buy a pair. So it seems to be the norm.

Is it a bolt out, bolt in affair? The donor diffs would be coming from a 1.6 Vitara, and I just wanted to make sure it is a straight swap over and that they will mate up with my current axel gears etc. Never had a diff apart, but its time to learn what makes them tick so I'll probably have a go at the swap. I have a friend who will lend a hand who has done a diff swap before (in other cars, not a zuk). Anything to be wary of?

[atari4x4]

the rear centre will be a straight swap.

there are 2 different front diffs, 22 & 26 spline. you will need the 26 spline out of a EFI aus delivered vitara, I have found the jap import EFI vitara's have 22 spline front diffs.

I think it might be worth ringing some eastcoast wreckers & see what they want + freight?

are you getting quotes for the whole diffs or just the centres?

there was a vitara at a u-pull it wreckers in SA & I reckon I could have got both diffs for under $150.......

I had some questions answered here.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic150 ... highlight=

[USUK]

Stuey -

I am surprised of Pete (suzuki-shop) if it was him u were talking too.

u tried suzishop?

[Stuey]

USUK wrote:

Stuey -

I am surprised of Pete (suzuki-shop) if it was him u were talking too.

u tried suzishop?

To be exact, I was talking to a female (wife?, partner?, receptionist?...) and she was relaying messages to Pete over the phone and vice versa.

I've since been in touch with Suzishop and yes, they have been able to help with everything other than a steel carrier. I recently bought a new radiator from them as well and I was impressed by their service. Just a pity they are so far from where I live and work.