Suzuki New Grand Vitara 2008+ Repairs & Modifications

**daveysmith** · 2015/07/27, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by adiebear

Suzie newbie here. Please help. I bought a 2010 GV 2.4 manual a few weeks back from a Nissan dealer.
There is an intermittent knock- sometimes in 1st or 2nd when accelerating, sometimes when braking at slower speed, sometimes on some slow twisties (Kloof Gorge).
One thing I'm sure of at least is that it's not in the doors or panels as all came off and I have plakked Sondor foam inside.
Nissan (to cut a long story shortish) have: taken out the propshaft and had it checked. 110%, dropped supsension arms, tightened bushes at the rear. 100%.
Before I bought the car it had the CV joints sorted apparently.
Nissan workshop manager reports that his DP, ex- Suzuki DP- said because of the moving link (Nissans are fixed) a knock is not abnormal.
Hmmm......
Before I take it elsewhere for an opinion, any advice?
Thanks in advance.
PS: GV drives fine otherwise. Not really a petrolhead but I love this car. Chose it thanks to this forum.
PPS: have a spare Dastek Unichip from my Honda which was fitted by Jeff at Tuneserve.
Anybody have one fitted on their GV?

Welcome Adiebear.... they are fibbing . The GV does not feature knocking.. ..it means something is loose or broken.

How man kms on your GV? I have not heard of one yet needing CV joint work. My initial thoughts would be front suspension - that is more common. Check rear bushing of FRONT control arms, with car jacked up, for tears. Could be shocks, could be shock bearings. You can only tell those from disassembly of struts and visual inspection. Make sure strut mounting bolts are tight, but do not over - tighten. Otherwise yes, engine and gearbox mounts possibly, exhaust maybe.... so many options...

**adiebear** · 2015/07/27, 01:11 PM

Thanks Davey. 96000km.
I am thinking exhaust mountings may be shot as the exhaust rattles a lot pulling at low revs. Hope it's that.
It's not an alarming, geez what's falling off kind of knock.
Will relay all suggestions to them and Suzuki, when I get there...

**daveysmith** · 2015/07/27, 02:19 PM

Sure you will come right..

**Kierie** · 2015/07/29, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by adiebear

Thanks Davey. 96000km.
I am thinking exhaust mountings may be shot as the exhaust rattles a lot pulling at low revs. Hope it's that.
It's not an alarming, geez what's falling off kind of knock.
Will relay all suggestions to them and Suzuki, when I get there...

Silly suggestion maybe, but perhaps start by checking if the exhaust pipe is still on the rubber hangers underneath. It has been reported previously that the central exhaust system mountings can rattle loose or pop off the hangers.

**trev1136** · 2015/07/29, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Kierie

Silly suggestion maybe, but perhaps start by checking if the exhaust pipe is still on the rubber hangers underneath. It has been reported previously that the central exhaust system mountings can rattle loose or pop off the hangers.

+1, had this happen to me in Moz from the middlemanetjies, before the lift.

**ColeGP** · 2015/07/29, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by adiebear

Suzie newbie here. Please help. I bought a 2010 GV 2.4 manual a few weeks back from a Nissan dealer.
There is an intermittent knock- sometimes in 1st or 2nd when accelerating, sometimes when braking at slower speed, sometimes on some slow twisties (Kloof Gorge).
One thing I'm sure of at least is that it's not in the doors or panels as all came off and I have plakked Sondor foam inside.
Nissan (to cut a long story shortish) have: taken out the propshaft and had it checked. 110%, dropped supsension arms, tightened bushes at the rear. 100%.
Before I bought the car it had the CV joints sorted apparently.
Nissan workshop manager reports that his DP, ex- Suzuki DP- said because of the moving link (Nissans are fixed) a knock is not abnormal.
Hmmm......
Before I take it elsewhere for an opinion, any advice?
Thanks in advance.
PS: GV drives fine otherwise. Not really a petrolhead but I love this car. Chose it thanks to this forum.
PPS: have a spare Dastek Unichip from my Honda which was fitted by Jeff at Tuneserve.
Anybody have one fitted on their GV?

to be honest most GV's seem to have little creaks and knocks sometimes
which are "undiagnosable" but there is nothing actually wrong with the car.
my 2.4 had some knocks from what seemed the front suspension and the 3.2 has virtually identical knocks and Suzuki northcliff says not a thing is wrong.

**Nico Wassermann** · 2015/08/05, 03:15 PM

@adiebear: PPS: have a spare Dastek Unichip from my Honda which was fitted by Jeff at Tuneserve.
Anybody have one fitted on their GV?

Hi there! I have the Dastek chip fitted to my 2.4 manual and must admit it is fine. My fuel consumption INcreased (before 8.8 - 9.0 l/100 kms, afterwards 9.3 - 9.6) when driving without the caravan. I put that down as to the fact that my average speed is higher - my 2011 has the cruise control as standard and with the Dastek Chip the GV keeps its speed far better than before. (much less drop in speed uphill). Acceleration is much improved (Dastek also "worked" on throttle response) I travel on freeways at 120 - 125 km/h average
With the caravan (1340 kg) behind, my fuel consumption actually DEcreased (from 12.6 l/100kms before to 11.8 afterwards) which I feel is due to the increased torque. I tow at 100 km/h with cruise control as far as possible. According to Dastek my kW increased from 122 - 135 kW, torque from 225 - 248 Nm. Cost me R 3900.00 which I feel was worth it. Regards!

**adiebear** · 2015/08/05, 03:37 PM

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I checked underneath at an exhaust place and everything looks hundreds.
The only knock I'm concerned with now is the creaking driver's seat.
Will tension that up asap. Been away.
I'll get the chip fitted at my next service at Tuneserv.
They really just improve a car's driveability as stated by Nice.

**Samaya** · 2015/08/05, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by adiebear

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I checked underneath at an exhaust place and everything looks hundreds.
The only knock I'm concerned with now is the creaking driver's seat.
Will tension that up asap. Been away.
I'll get the chip fitted at my next service at Tuneserv.
They really just improve a car's driveability as stated by Nice.

A Well aimed shot of Q20 on the seat lifting mechanism will sort that out - promise

**adiebear** · 2015/08/05, 04:02 PM

Ta. When I was fitting audio it definitely a little loose. I don't have a big enough Torq thingy so will spray first before going back to the audio guy.

**ColeGP** · 2015/08/07, 03:13 PM

I also read once upon a time that the seat creak is a known "issue" and that the dealers had replacement kits they could fit but not sure if that was on foreign cars only.

**Zenbaas** · 2015/08/09, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Samaya

A Well aimed shot of Q20 on the seat lifting mechanism will sort that out - promise

Thanks will also try that. Drives me a bit mad sometimes.

**Woolf** · 2015/08/09, 10:54 PM

I find that the squeak disappears if the seat is pumped as high as it can go

**adiebear** · 2015/08/12, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Woolf

I find that the squeak disappears if the seat is pumped as high as it can go

I cranked my seat up 3 notches and voila!
It's also more comfy

I can still get it to creak if I bully it, so an extra notch may be in order.

**Sammy'96** · 2015/08/12, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by adiebear

I cranked my seat up 3 notches and voila!
It's also more comfy

I can still get it to creak if I bully it, so an extra notch may be in order.

Thanks for the tip! This well aimed shot of Q20. .. where exactly does one spray it?

**Samaya** · 2015/08/12, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Sammy'96

Thanks for the tip! This well aimed shot of Q20. .. where exactly does one spray it?

From behind te seat aim in the general direction of the lifting mechanism on the right hand side of the seat. Spray some Q20. If the creaking is still there, you missed...

**Sammy'96** · 2015/08/12, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Samaya

From behind te seat aim in the general direction of the lifting mechanism on the right hand side of the seat. Spray some Q20. If the creaking is still there, you missed...

Thank you!

**car6006** · 2015/08/17, 04:02 PM

After some deliberation and some $$$ discussion we have decided to 'fix' up all the SUZYQUATTRO's battle wounds and scars.

Danmar Autobody currently in final prep to get the SUZYQUATTRO sorted... here some pics of the operation.

BRAND NEW bumper front, repair bumper back, new wheel cover, dent and scratches gonna look all pretty now

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...1&d=1439819928

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...1&d=1439819928

**daveysmith** · 2015/08/17, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by car6006

After some deliberation and some $$$ discussion we have decided to 'fix' up all the SUZYQUATTRO's battle wounds and scars.

Danmar Autobody currently in final prep to get the SUZYQUATTRO sorted... here some pics of the operation.

BRAND NEW bumper front, repair bumper back, new wheel cover, dent and scratches gonna look all pretty now

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...1&d=1439819928

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...1&d=1439819928

Some TLC ....going to be like new....your approach and departure angles are looking pretty good without the bumpers 😉.

Your brakes all sorted now?