Hi I am new to the group and brought my first Suzuki a Vitara in 2019, I find that the brakes can be very Fierce especially when travelling in slow moving traffic, I have spoken to the dealer who says it is normal for all Suzuki models and it is due to the hardness of the brake pad material and a build up of dust from the pads. The pads also rub the disc when reversing, this according to the dealer is normal for Suzuki's.
I would be interested in other members experience and comments
Regards Barry
Fierce Brakes.
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donkeychomp
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Re: Fierce Brakes.
Total bollocks. I'm wondering where the dealer thinks the brake dust goes... however, fierce brakes are better than crap ones! Is this a brand new car as you didn't mention it, but if it is the brakes will take a little while to bed in. But not very long.
If it ticks over...leave it
Re: Fierce Brakes.
New last year (2019) milage circ 5,000. Brakes are Fierce to point of being dangerous as it's like you are doing an emergency stop but with only gentle pressure on the pedal.
Think I may need to take to a different dealer or to a brake specialist.
Think I may need to take to a different dealer or to a brake specialist.
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Anton
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Re: Fierce Brakes.
The brakes on Suzuki's aren't made of special, magic materials. I've owned a couple of Zuks, and the brakes are exactly like the Toyotas and Fords I've owned. Not 100% (the pads are slightly differently shaped, the calipers are slightly different) but in every way that matters, they're *the same*.
Operationally, that is. They take hydraulic pressure and turn it into a squeezing action that rubs pads against drums/discs. The pads, drums and discs are made of the *exact* same stuff as Toyotas and Fords, in *exactly* the same factories. The brake lines are identical. They're copper lines, rubber lines, made in the same factories out of the same exact materials. You could strip the brake lines out of a Ford, re-bend them carefully and fit them to a Zuk, and it'd work fine. It wouldn't make sense to do that (new brake lines are too cheap to risk your life with second hand stuff) but it'd work.
Nothing about Suzuki brakes works any differently to any other manufacturer.
In fact, no major car manufacturer actually makes their own brakes - they buy the actual brakes from companies like Lucas, Aisin, Girling, Mishimoto, Brembo etc. Many of the parts in your Suzuki will be *identical* to parts in other manufacturer's cars. That's why a lot of hot hatches are upgraded with brake parts from other manufacturers - there's a *lot* of Golf GTI's/Audi TT's/Seat Leon Cupra's out there with Porsche Boxster brakes, for example.
Get a second opinion, then threaten the dealer with legal action. He's putting lives at risk if he knowingly lets you drive around with dodgy brakes - if something really is wrong it could cause complete brake failure for all he knows. It's not just *your* life he's putting in danger - what if you careen out of control into a bus stop full of people???
I'd be having a word with the Ombudsman about what your rights are, if I were you: https://www.themotorombudsman.org/
*edit* - going from fully manual brakes to modern, brake-booster enabled brakes can make the brakes seem crazy sharp - what other vehicles have you driven lately, to compare the brakes against? Have you had other drivers try your Vitara to see if they agree with your assessment of the brakes?
Operationally, that is. They take hydraulic pressure and turn it into a squeezing action that rubs pads against drums/discs. The pads, drums and discs are made of the *exact* same stuff as Toyotas and Fords, in *exactly* the same factories. The brake lines are identical. They're copper lines, rubber lines, made in the same factories out of the same exact materials. You could strip the brake lines out of a Ford, re-bend them carefully and fit them to a Zuk, and it'd work fine. It wouldn't make sense to do that (new brake lines are too cheap to risk your life with second hand stuff) but it'd work.
Nothing about Suzuki brakes works any differently to any other manufacturer.
In fact, no major car manufacturer actually makes their own brakes - they buy the actual brakes from companies like Lucas, Aisin, Girling, Mishimoto, Brembo etc. Many of the parts in your Suzuki will be *identical* to parts in other manufacturer's cars. That's why a lot of hot hatches are upgraded with brake parts from other manufacturers - there's a *lot* of Golf GTI's/Audi TT's/Seat Leon Cupra's out there with Porsche Boxster brakes, for example.
Get a second opinion, then threaten the dealer with legal action. He's putting lives at risk if he knowingly lets you drive around with dodgy brakes - if something really is wrong it could cause complete brake failure for all he knows. It's not just *your* life he's putting in danger - what if you careen out of control into a bus stop full of people???
I'd be having a word with the Ombudsman about what your rights are, if I were you: https://www.themotorombudsman.org/
*edit* - going from fully manual brakes to modern, brake-booster enabled brakes can make the brakes seem crazy sharp - what other vehicles have you driven lately, to compare the brakes against? Have you had other drivers try your Vitara to see if they agree with your assessment of the brakes?
1985 SJ413VX (SJ50V) with SPOA, rear disc brakes, 31x10.5R15 Kaiman Malatesta tyres, an MOT and a lot left to do!
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Re: Fierce Brakes.
We have a 2005 Grand Vitara and the brakes are just right - quite powerful,progressive and smooth.
We also have an 08 Kia Sportage and I think it is very close to being 'Over Servoed' - when swapping between the cars I always initially have a tendancy to press too hard on the Sportage brakes as they are not as nice (progressive) as the Vitara brakes.
We also have an 08 Kia Sportage and I think it is very close to being 'Over Servoed' - when swapping between the cars I always initially have a tendancy to press too hard on the Sportage brakes as they are not as nice (progressive) as the Vitara brakes.
Re: Fierce Brakes.
It is quite possible that the brakes are lighter than that with which you are familiar. If not then get a specialist to check the braking system out before you have an accident!
Re: Fierce Brakes.
I found similarities with mine (68 model boosterjet), but I recon it's down to the collision avoidance software, which overrides driver input if it thinks you are going to hit thecar infront. I have hot used to this now and I don't even notice it. Some of the over excitable alarms cam be annoying tho....
Re: Fierce Brakes.
A lot of newer cars just have lighter brake pedals from my experience. Every time i get in the work van I forget how sharp the brakes are. Quickly get used to it though.