Suzuki 4WD Club of Victoria

I have determined some good news in relation to my recent post about the whine in my car (Vitara SWB 1994 man). Apparently the gearbox is in good shape and is not the cause of the noise. The savage whine is actually coming from a stuffed rear diff, but due to the small size of the car, the noise is being effectively transferred to the gearbox area. I would have been able to make this determination earlier had I not taken the poor advice I received from an “expert” Suzuki specialist about the problem.

I am now seeking a reliable company to rebuild the diff, and possibly install an air locker at the same time. Would anybody on this forum (The forum I trust for good advice) be able offer any advice on the best way to address my problem or a good company to rebuild my rear diff and possibly install an air locker?

Thanks

Scythe

It's not the small size of the car that's causing the difficulty of diagnosis - it's really just the fact it's a wagon. The noise is transferred up the hollow drive shaft which acts as a megaphone, making the noise sound like it's coming from the transfer or gearbox. It's even harder to pinpoint in a Sierra.

As for a rebuild of your current diff, I'm not sure I'd bother - I reckon I'd visit a pull-it-yourself wrecker like Imlachs and pull another complete diff. There are usually vitaras in wreckers and whilst the front diffs all disappear for Sierra owners looking for shorter diff gears, but the rears usually sit in the cars for ages and they are generally in good condition. A number of us are running diffs from wrecked vitaras with no problems.

Then you can take the "new" diff to a workshop for the ARB install, greatly reducing the labour cost as it's then not tying up a hoist for a day and can be done on the bench, assuming you are able to remove and replace a third member and fit the compressor yourself - not a very advanced job.

Any ARB branch could handle an install, but if you are after the most comprehensive job, Matt at Total Traction Drivelines in Moorabbin is the guy to go to. He's a real perfectionist, but that does come at a price.

You could then put your rear diff aside to look at if you need to, or use as a temporary spare should you have further problems.

Steve.

Thanks Steve, but big sigh... I agree with your advice and I had a suspicion that may be the best option, but it does not appeal to the lazy boy in me. It would also be challenging based on my work commitments and the available time leading up to Easter. I have the tools and ability to do it, but it seems unlikely I would finish by Easter and risk missing my trip.

I could probably make it happen if there were no hidden hitches to trip me up along the way. I would therefore request any tips for new players that I could seek to avoid.

1. Are there ways to properly identify the correct replacement diff (I understand there are a number of different ratios in Vits)?
2. Is there a way to know the replacement diff is actually any better than the one I have?
3. How difficult is it to pull a diff out at a place like imlachs, which I assume is a car sitting in a paddock?
4. Does the new diff need to be balanced with the tail shaft, or correctly aligned in any way?

In essence, how do I know that I am not paying to install a locker into a wreaked replacement diff that I then put on the car just to find out its all crud?

I do dislike working to a deadline, but appreciate your advice.

Thanks

Scythe