Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

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rutter123
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Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by rutter123 »

I have here my daughters 09 plate Suzuki Swift 1.3 petrol which has suffered the very common issue of the 1st motion shaft bearings failing, this a common prob on these otherwise very reliable Suzuki's with some failing at as little as 10k, ours has made it to 55k with the whining becoming progessivly worse with every journey so we have stopped using it.
Not being a gearbox buff and having never stripped one my questions are is this a job i could do? Will it require any special tools?
I have called several Jap breakers to find a replacement but all are reluctant to sell a s/h gearbox due to this issue with the bearings, the only other option is a refurbished exchange box to the tune of around £600 which i am not keen on shelling out.
The price of the bearings is around £20/25 each which are readily available from Suzuki.
Or if anyone fancies earning an few quid to the job for me............
Kitch?
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Jaba
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by Jaba »

GO on have a go mate. Arm yourself with a BOL and just do it. If its as easy as a BX they come apart easily. It will be good practice for next time too.

Do some research perhaps and find out why they fail and try and sort it out properly by changing whatever else has worn and given rise to the failure.

I had a Maxi once that went through first motion shafts every 18 months and it was an easy fix with the new parts. Mind you I wouldn't be doing it in February though.
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Tim Leech
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by Tim Leech »

We sold one of these last year and had gearbox issues, ended up getting a recon one, it wouldn't go into reverse!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
rutter123
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by rutter123 »

Jaba, BOL? Explain ..
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Jaba
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by Jaba »

Sorry, its code for Haynes Manual.......
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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deltic
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by deltic »

Close your eyes guys but we nearly traded in the BX for scrappage against a Suzuki Swift. I just didn't have the heart though. Glad we soldiered on with the BX now!
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
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rutter123
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by rutter123 »

Ahh, that answers that then, and I suspect some big sockets and more than 1 big hammer?..The Swift is actually a bloody good little car apart from the gearbox issue and the very harsh ride, it's given no other probs at all in the 40k's we put on it, Mr Deltic a wise choice as above.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
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Tim Leech
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by Tim Leech »

I know what you mean about the ride, this was a sport and my god it shook your teeth loose!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
rutter123
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by rutter123 »

Our Swift is the "Attitude" model with the 17 inch alloys which makes the harsh ride even worse running on 215/45/17's, it's a great handling little car with the wheel on each corner Mini like roadholding characteristics and surprisingly quick agile and revvy for a 1.3, 20 odd miles is enough for me, I like my spine in one piece.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
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deltic
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Re: Not bx chat but Suzuki Swift gearbox issue

Post by deltic »

I would have liked the Swift Sport, but having a test drive after the BX there was no contest. The standard car was much more comfortable and I think any model Swift is somewhat under rated. When we came to need another car to run alongside the BX we again considered a Swift, but their second hand values were far greater than the C4s we were looking at and out of our price range. The C4 is a lot more car for rather less money and ulitmately probably proved the best choice apart from running costs.
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
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