GV 2004 ltr 16v Clutch

[Dave09]

Clutch change could be on cards, have a pretty good service history just over 70k on clock, but no sign of clutch change. Is this a viable diy job. Also have replacement Clutch Master and slave cylinder which would be fitted at the same time, I may be able to get use of ramp and transmission jack, been quoted between £400 n 600 for a garage job. Anyone done this one?? Cheers Dave

[Anton]

£400 doesn't sound *too* bad, although I got my Yaris one done for £200 not so long ago. £600 seems steep.

I swapped mine in my SJ. Was easy if fiddly job, but the SJ and the Grand Vitara are similar, not the same. I took the intermediary prop off the back of the gearbox, and dropped the whole gearbox out so I could get at the back of the engine easily - I've been told that I didn't need to do that, I could have just moved the box backwards and that gives enough space to get at the clutch.

If the GV is anything like the SJ, then it's a straightforward job. Just make sure you have the right tools before you start (including a proper clutch alignment tool, which I didn't have - made the job much harder than it needed to be. I had a wooden dowel with electrical tape wound around it - get a proper tool, trust me). I believe that GV's have a hydraulic clutch, so if you don't know how to bleed a hydraulic system like the brakes etc, then find out if that's something you can handle *before* you even think about this job. Air in the system will mean your clutch will not disengage and you won't be able to use your vehicle until it's been correctly bled.

When I did it, I had a mate help me and we were done in a couple of hours. Most of that was trying to get the gearbox out of the way and getting mud in my eyes. Once the gearbox was out, the clutch was in in minutes (find a guide on torquing up the clutch plate if there isn't one with your clutch).

If there's anything I have forgotten to mention, I'm sure someone will be along soon to point it out.

Oh, and don't forget to unplug the gearbox's reverse light switch.

You don't want to rip that off, although on an SJ it's an easy fix. Don't ask me how/why I know.

[Dave09]

Cheers for that info. Going to have to go down to Yorkshire to do it, My son lives down there and his mate has a small garage business and says we can have the use of the ramp n transmission jack for a weekend. We have checked out some youtube vids, and as you say with the right tools fairly straight forward. Its crap getting to be 70 odd, and have to let your son tell you which spanner he wants.

[Anton]

Let us know how it goes!

[Dave09]

Cheers, for reply, heading down to Yorkshire end of month/early September to change clutch. changed clutch slave cylinder, big improvement, got master cylinder on order, may as well go the whole hog. reverse light switch, cheers for advice, dumb question, when do I find the connection ?.....imagine its common to most Suzi G/boxes. Have run Pajero's for years, but got a chance to get the GV off road at the family farm, (wife not there), well impressed with the handling, both in the high and low 4x4 ranges. Should have had one years ago.

[Anton]

No idea! I don't have a GV, so I wouldn't know - ScottieJ pulled a GV2000 apart recently, he might know?