[bigdogdazza]

Hi guys would like any thoughts on the cause/fix of these issues on the 96 swb 1.6efi vitara.
1. Every now and again got NO brakes! Pedal soft as goes to. The floor and nothing, release and hit it again and got brakes pedal fine... I have checked every joint on brake system, master cylinder and slave cylinder don't appear to be leaking, have bled the brakes again front and rear but still happens! Extremely concerned can't drive the car until issue sorted.
2. It has a weird vibration/bearing type noise in diff/gearbox front end area on deceleration and only above 65kph and higher, all fine when under load but back off and all hell breaks loose!
3. Check engine light stays on all the time not overdrive light flashes on dash when it feels like it but all works fine with auto box including over drive button, car missing badly at idle right up to 3000 then clears and runs fine.
Now it has been wheeled pretty hard lately with lots of muddy water bogs etc maybe this has partly to do with these issues..... Seems like muddy water stuff just kills all cars!
Any thoughts please don't be shy!

[got_bar_work]

Could be the caliper hitting the spring
Adjust sterreing stops

[christover1]

knackered wheel bearing can cause that sort of brake issues.

Calipers get pushed out by the wobbling, and after first pedal push, they work normal again.

May explain noises, too?

[christover1]

noise highly likely to be a busted engine mount, or similar

[bigdogdazza]

Another bit of info on the vitara noise!
Drove it to work on the freeway and at around 3000rpm the noise was very concerning sounds like from left front area, more of an exhaust rubbing on body noise type scenario but when auto was put in neutral and idling at over 100 kph noise still same, engine reved no change. So not exhaust vibration or engine rpm related more speed related issue, just doesn't sound at all like a wheel bearing to me??? Also noticed metallic clinking whilst this rub/vibration noise was going on then it all stops! Then starts a few seconds later! Got me stumped and very concerned! Any thoughts?
Will whack it on a jack in the morning and have a good look as its not a good noise! Also sort of sounds like mud flap rubbing on tyre but they have been removed so can't be the issue!

[atari4x4]

pulled the error code from the ECU & TCU?

are the FWH still locked in or is it in 2wd, there is a small needle roller bearing that the outer CV shaft runs on in the hub assembly, these get overlooked when doing wheel bearings.

[bigdogdazza]

It is in 2wd that makes the noise badly, I did put in 4wl but didn't go to fast didn't want to stress transfer etc no noise evident. How do I check codes out on ecu?

[christover1]

Mine made incredibly bad noises when the CAT died.
It fell apart and was blocking exhaust, on and off.
I was convinced it was a front left cv wheel or bearing noise

[christover1]

free wheel hubs can seize on, causing odd noises when in 2wd

[bigdogdazza]

So how do I check cat convertor just give it a hit? And how about the hub how do I check that's not locked on? I do know the hubs are VERY stiff to turn from free to lock... Almost get the shifter onto it type stiff!!

[bigdogdazza]

This is my sons car and he has had it for over a year now and just telling me this noise has been the same the whole time he has had the car!!! WTF!!! If was a wheel bearing surely it would have destroyed itself by now spelling imminent doom??

[christover1]

I wasn't sure that it was my CAT till I removed the rear part of exhaust,
and I could see a block of CATs guts wedged sideways in the outlet.
As a temporary fix I bashed it all out and ran an empty CAT.
Only till I could get a new one, of course

If a free wheel hub is jammed on,
you won't be able to turn the cv/axle by hand.

[bigdogdazza]

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up! Hope it's something stupid like a cat and not a serious possibly deadly problem like wheel bearing! Will definitely have it off the ground in the morning!
Thanks once again for the tips on what to and how to check guys!
Any ideas on how to check ecu codes for engine warning light constantly on?
And please correct me if I am wrong in thinking the misfire and poor idle could be distributor cap/rotor button, plugs/leads or something electrical?

[atari4x4]

Not 100% sure about the G16b's but I've posted heaps of tech about pulling codes from the 2.0 Vits & GV's over the years... on my fone & CBF'd searching

Posted via my iPhone whilst ignoring traffic.

[bigdogdazza]

Lol thanks Atari best be watching the road but!

[bigdogdazza]

Ok guys quick update, whacked the front end on a jack and bearings seem fine no play, front hubs one is seized can't turn it unless use a shifter, grinding/rubbing noise still evident can't see any sign of anything out of place all looks ok. Misfire in engine I pulled dizzy cap and rotor button and cap had severe corrosion(white crap) tried cleaning up as best I could, ordered new ones.
Any ideas?

[atari4x4]

pull the FWH off on the side that's stuck & have a look at the wheelbearing... i'd say it hasn't been sealed properly & it's a crusty/rusty mess.

it's the LHS that's making the noise? so while the FWH is off pop the circlip off that holds the CV out against the wheel bearing etc & unbolt it from the diff & slide it out. there is a pissy roller bearing in there & i'd say thats destroyed it's self.

i had a similar noise that wasn't wheel bearings & only happened occasionally & it turned out to be that bearing. i do have the part number & size listed somewhere in my 21121 posts... will try & find it later as i'm currently reinstalling gayness to a vitara.


this should give you an idea on how to pull the codes from the ecu, it is for the SV & SQ vitara's but the SE's should be the same.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6451&hilit=j20a+error+codes

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31555&hilit=j20a+error+codes

[royce]

check the front springs arent bowed and rubbing on the bumpstop, mine does this and makes that noise

[bigdogdazza]

Jacked up the vitara when the rain stopped a little, pulled both front hubs off and yup, crusty,rusty,muddy gunk filled! Cleaned them all up and greased them so they are working like new again, now what I DID find was the right hand side(drivers) wheel bearing is shagged! There is a little play evident but it does make grinding noise when hub is spun. Just to confirm its the bearing and not pads rubbing on disc I pulled the brake caliper off and yup!, same noise! Now this has me stumped as this is definitely the noise I was hearing but I swear it was coming from passenger side of car!!?? Got my stumped! Anyway new wheel bearings are on their way both sides so at least they will be fixed along with rotor button/dizzy cap, also ordered auto trans filter/gasket kit as the old trans fluid looks like muddy water brown!
I would like to thank profusely all who have given their input to try and help me with this dilemma! My two sons and myself are relatively new to the Suzuki 4wds and finding a lot of info from this forum is helping us a great deal with advice on modification and maintaining our little beasts!
Thanks again guys! Now to solve the ecu code issues!

[bigdogdazza]

Ok now even more pissed off with the Vitara! On the weekend I fitted camber adjusting bolts, changed both diff oils, transmission oil and filter, dizzy cap and rotor button, front wheel bearings, fixed bent gearbox crossmember. After doing all these things the vibration/grinding noise is still there but much better than it was, car still miss firing but much better than before. My thoughts on misfire now is plugs and leads? As for grinding noise it is more prominent around 100kph and when back off the gas. Thoughts please guys as this car needs to be in tip top shape to do Fraser island in couple months from Sydney and I definitely don't want broken cars ruining families holidays.

[bigdogdazza]

Ok now even more pissed off with the Vitara! On the weekend I fitted camber adjusting bolts, changed both diff oils, transmission oil and filter, dizzy cap and rotor button, front wheel bearings, fixed bent gearbox crossmember. After doing all these things the vibration/grinding noise is still there but much better than it was, car still miss firing but much better than before. My thoughts on misfire now is plugs and leads? As for grinding noise it is more prominent around 100kph and when back off the gas. Thoughts please guys as this car needs to be in tip top shape to do Fraser island in couple months from Sydney and I definitely don't want broken cars ruining families holidays. Oh forgot to mention brakes still going to floor occasionally when they decide to so looks like replace master cylinder?

[Chop]

You may have a bearing gone in the transmission if it had been muddy in the oil, have the diff oils been muddy/milky at all in the past?

Worn diff gears can make noise on deceleration also, but it can be a bit more of a hum than a grinding noise.

[bigdogdazza]

Sounds like it is coming from front of the car so that would rule out front diff if making noise in 2wh? The transmission oil that was in it was brown and crap! Hopefully not gearbox? It works fine as its supposed to, all gears select fine, kicks down fine, overdrive works fine..... If it is tranny Is there any kind of test etc I can do to be sure this is problem? Don't want to buy/install another gearbox if not the prob?