I'm a newbie to this forum, and I hope that this first post will result in one of its readers being able to help me. Let me start by saying that I've looked through existing threads to see if it's already been covered, but I can't see anything connected to my query.
My wife owns a 1998 Vitara 2.0 Ltr automatic (see attached photo) - a great car with super-smooth transmission and plenty of power in reserve when needed. It's a reliable and robust car, and we've got no plans to get rid of it so long as spares remain fairly easy to come by and affordable.....and that brings me to the point of my post.
The car has just failed its MOT on a few items - most of which can be sorted for a reasonable cost - but one item that it has failed on is "excessive play in steering column flexible coupling." Although the flexible coupling itself is a fairly small part, and seemingly inexpensive for vehicles where it can be bought separately, it seems that it is not available to buy on its own for the Vitara, but only as part of a replacement lower steering column - a genuine Suzuki part (part number 48220-62A11) which costs a whopping £500! My mechanic has unsuccessfully tried to source a second-hand lower column or flexible coupling, and so I'm turning to this forum in the hope that somebody can help me source a serviceable and reasonably-priced replacement coupling or lower steering column to get the car through its MOT. From the recent searching that I have done I understand that the correct lower column (part number 48220-62A11) is also fitted to the Suzuki Escudo, Sidekick, and X90.
Any help or pointers in the right direction on this issue would be much appreciated. If I can't get hold of one then I fear that we'll have to scrap the car, which would be a real shame. Thanks in advance for any help.
