Suzuki Club UK

Hi All
1st gear on my 5 speed sj 413 is not easy to engage, I need to be stationary and usually need to double declutch to get her in. Is it the selectors or something as simple as clutch cable adjustment. All the other gears are smooth. Any thoughts?

These gearboxes are supposed to be pretty much stationary before you can engage 1st, I've never driven an SJ or vitara that likes going into 1st while moving.

However you shouldn't need to double clutch it while stationary, when was the last time you checked your gearbox oil and is the clutch adjusted up to remove any slack from the cable?

Thanks, I havn't long had her so am still looking into things (and turning the shed floor orange!). The prop seal is weeping a bit so there must be oil (though obviously less). Will check it and the cable. Not done anything with sj gearbox's before, how do I check the oil level, is it up to the filler bolt?

The seal can be replaced with a 32-42-8 r23 seal which any bearing supplier should have.

As Scottie says it's normal not to be able to get first whilst still moving.
The clutch may be dragging a little so this would make it difficult and the cable adjust may sort this.

If you haven't had it long I'd advise giving it a complete fluid service if you haven't already, fresh gearbox, transfer box and diff oil is always a good thing

Will do that. Are they all the same oil, 80w90? Thanks guys

Theres loads of info in the tech spec section of the homepage

http://www.suzukiclubuk.co.uk/tech-spec ... -and-types

Everything I need to know thanks. I have 5L of 80w/90 in the shed, will it matter that much to put that in, or am I just being stingy!

It'll be fine