[JasonSelmes]

Hi Folks,

Suzuki Vitara 1991
JLX model
1.6 litre Carby
SE416 Model
G16A

Just purchased this car 4 weeks ago.

So i was caught in heavy traffic last weekend for around 45 minutes moving very slowly and a lot of idling behind a grid locked traffic jam.

After about 45 mins I noticed when the traffic flow started to the move the clutch pedal got very soft and it was extremely hard to get into first gear. A few times it would not go into gear at all!

I rolled up on onto the shoulder of the freeway and BOOM changed into first gear and I checked all the gears including first and it was shifting perfectly again. OFf I went with no worries with shifting it was smooth.

I drove another 20 minutes and got caught in a shopping centre car park behind cars on a ramp and as I took off again the clutch went spongy and i couldn't put it in first gear. I hopped out and pushed the car over to the side. I got back in the car and everything was back to normal again and shifting fine?? WTF?

I drove home(20 mins) without any further trouble.

That was 2 weeks ago and I haven't had any trouble since. But then again My work is only 5 kms from my house so I havent taken it on any long drives since that happened except for local shops etc

The clutch was changed 6 months ago according to the owner. When the mechanic was changing my leaking tail shaft seal he did mention the clutch seemed new and may have been a heavy duty clutch due to it biting a bit when taking off when he drove it.

Also I am guessing the clutch on this model is a mechanical and not hydraulic with a slave and master cylinder?

I am just worried as I am making a long 900km trip in early November out bush and dont want to have any troubles caught in a remote area. the trip is over 2 days stopping off in several places so it wont be 900km in one straight run.

I am enjoying this new little 4WD rig

any tips?

Cheers fellas!

[atari4x4]

welcome to AZ Jason, nicely written first post... you'll do well around here!

yeah, it's a cable clutch & they're a pretty common thing to have fail. especially if it's never been replaced & a new clutch fitted more so if it's heavy duty. so i'd definitely be having a look at the cable, the other area that has shown the odd clutch problem is the pedal box assembly where the clutch pedal pivots or the clutch pedal bending from a stuffed clutch cable, clutch poorly adjusted etc

not sure if the one that suzistore list is non gen or not... but i'd be hunting down a genuine suzuki one. http://www.suzistore.com.au/shopdisplay ... ANSMISSION

[303zuke]

atari4x4 wrote:

Not sure if the one that suzistore list is non gen or not... but i'd be hunting down a genuine suzuki one. http://www.suzistore.com.au/shopdisplay ... ANSMISSION

Suzistore use a letter code at the end of the Suzuki Part Number.

N = Non-Genuine
M = Maruti
G = Suzuki Genuine Parts.

It looks like the Vit clutch cable is made by Maruti?????

[JasonSelmes]

303zuke wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

Not sure if the one that suzistore list is non gen or not... but i'd be hunting down a genuine suzuki one. http://www.suzistore.com.au/shopdisplay ... ANSMISSION

Suzistore use a letter code at the end of the Suzuki Part Number.

N = Non-Genuine
M = Maruti
G = Suzuki Genuine Parts.

It looks like the Vit clutch cable is made by Maruti?????

Ok thanks. Might get it replaced just in case it has issues. Dont want it having troubles on the road.