Suzuki Club UK

Steel diff

b3n16 wrote:Is there a common upgrade or mod for this?.

I have no idea. All i know about Vitaras is what i have read on other peoples posts and build threads. Quickest way is probably to bang up another thread in the Vitara specific tech section.

turbo-tom wrote:Steel diff

Ahhh. I suppose that's one way around it .

Yes, steel diffs from Grand Vitaras (diesels too, I *think*) are a common upgrade, but also I believe you can brace the ally ones so they don't break so easily. It's the diff casing that breaks, then the gears don't mesh right and chew through each other.

A friend of mine broke about 6 of them before selling his vit. It's mostly down to shock loading the front drivetrain, or so I'm told - the steel diff casing (or a braced diff casing) stands up to much more abuse.

If you're careful about lifting off as you put a wheel back down, you may be ok. Another friend had a vit for a couple of years and, despite driving like he stole it, never broke a diff - because he was careful to lift off at times when he knew he was in danger of killing the front diff.

Jordi wrote:

b3n16 wrote:Is there a common upgrade or mod for this?.

I have no idea. All i know about Vitaras is what i have read on other peoples posts and build threads. Quickest way is probably to bang up another thread in the Vitara specific tech section.

Will do mate. Thank you for the sound advice. I think I shall take the first comment in for the time being and just drive it

Anton wrote:Yes, steel diffs from Grand Vitaras (diesels too, I *think*) are a common upgrade, but also I believe you can brace the ally ones so they don't break so easily. It's the diff casing that breaks, then the gears don't mesh right and chew through each other.

A friend of mine broke about 6 of them before selling his vit. It's mostly down to shock loading the front drivetrain, or so I'm told - the steel diff casing (or a braced diff casing) stands up to much more abuse.

If you're careful about lifting off as you put a wheel back down, you may be ok. Another friend had a vit for a couple of years and, despite driving like he stole it, never broke a diff - because he was careful to lift off at times when he knew he was in danger of killing the front diff.

Again this is awesome info. Thanks for all of it.

As with most off roaders mods tend to be done for two reasons

1) you broke something and don't want to break it again
2) you tried to get somewhere and got stuck and don't intend getting stuck there again

If I get stuck I will try again but with more power and repeat until I get through failing thatf if I can I try going the otherway that normally solves it. im not saying power is everything but its closest until you get lockers.

turbo-tom wrote:If I get stuck I will try again but with more power and repeat until I get through failing thatf if I can I try going the otherway that normally solves it. im not saying power is everything but its closest until you get lockers.

Lol. My technique seems to be try the hardest thing, then when really stuck get out and say.... Nope l that's stuck

Yep, most front diffs are alloy and very fragile, best get a diff guard made up, easy and cheap to do too!