Suzuki Grand Vitara - transfer box

[lauramars7]

Hi - we have a 2007 Grand Vitara which passed MOT on Monday, however, today very noisy when driving and the mechanic says that the transfer box is broken and that it will cost thousands to fix. He is getting back to us with a cost.

Any help or advice would be very gratefully received please, as we are not knowledgeable on these things.

Obviously, don't know whether to write the car off or fix it or get another opinion etc.

Thank you for reading.

[ScottieJ]

If the transfer box is actually the issue then a good used transfer box shouldn't cost much at all, a few hundred at most and it should only be a few hours labour to change it.

What makes him think it's definitely the transfer box? what exactly is he saying is 'broken'? Has it been ran dry of oil and suffered bearing failure and there are signs of metal in the transfer box oil? Have other things like propshaft UJs been checked?

Tbh it sounds like you might need a new mechanic, You can probably have the transfer box removed, rebuilt and fitted for under £1000
Is this a small independent garage or a big chain like kwikfit, Halfords etc.?

[lauramars7]

Hi ScottieJ - thank you for your reply.

Its our local small garage which we have been with for a few years.

Would you suggest taking it for a big chain ?

[ScottieJ]

No not at all, just sounded like the sort of thing a big chain would quote for the work and say.

Tbh it’s quite rare for suzuki transfer boxes to fail unless they have somehow lost their oil or they are driven hard off-road.

Can you talk to the garage and ask them exactly what they think is wrong and ask them what they have done to diagnose that it’s the transfer box? Maybe ask them how much they would quote to fit a used transfer box as well if they are 100% sure that’s the actual issue?