NEWBY NEEDS HELP!

[Janie]

Hiya, After many hours recently scrabbling around t'internet trying to get some advice, I finally found you guys. I have a 56 reg Jimny which has a little under 45k on the clock. It went for it's last MOT just before Xmas to our friends at Kwikfit. It failed on bearings initially and then I was phoned and told it needed all new bearings AND kingpins. I sought a second opinion from another garage just to make sure as Kwikfit haven't exactly been great in the past. The second garage gave me an MOT PASS with an advisory note that there was play in the axle.

The car wasn't used for a few months after that, due to illness and was just parked on the road outside home. Once better (beginning of June) I took the car into the HiQ garage local to work, asking them to take a look at what was needed. I told them about the two MOTs and advised them of the discrepancies in results. I asked them to check everything again and advise what needed to be done.

HiQ had the car for a couple of days and advised that a new kingpin (just one??) was needed on the front passenger side. No mention of work to bearing. Work was done to replace the one kingpin.

A few days later on my way home from work, the car gave up. There was a horrible grinding noise, loss of steering and the 4wd light came on.

Car was flatbed recovered to the most local garage to where car had broken down. AA bloke noticed metal filings on inside of front passenger wheel. Guys at the recovery garage advised that the hub nuts had not been tightened when the kingpin job was done resulting in the car now needing a new hub!!

Job was done at the new garage who fitted a new hub, calliper and clips. Guys didn't know what to do to re-engage 4wd though. They told me I could drive it without the 4wd and to bring it back for that job to be done as they would make some enquiries to determine likely cause of 4wd failure.

Took car home. Two days later driving up to my granddad's the car started to make a really loud grating noise. Got to granddad's and called the AA out again. AA bloke advised not to drive it and pointed out problem with excessive movement in front passenger wheel. Not safe to drive - flatbed recovered now to Suzuki garage.

Suzuki Dealer reported that parts were missing around hub job (??) so more work done on front wheel and another new calliper, seal, clip etc were fitted. Effectively this job has now been done twice. Suzuki managed to get the 4wd re-engaged.

I collected the car but a week later was still having the same problems. Went back to Suzuki to ask if technician would come out in the car with me. He did. He said he could hear the noise but said he did not know what it was. I asked if It would be ok to drive it on holiday - Yorkshire Dales. He said yes. Dropped him off. I have not been on holiday as I just didn't trust the car.

On top of this there is also still a really violent wheel wobble when driving between 45 and 50 mph. All the garages were informed of this. The noise is still coming from underneath the car - this is more apparent in 2nd gear, going into 3rd but louder still when going uphill.

The car was back with the Suzuki dealer this week for further diagnosis. I explained that the noise and wobble were still there. They have now decided that the gearbox is knackered (losing oil) and the front axle needs replacing (also losing oil). They have told me the car is unsafe to drive and that I should now consider replacing it.

I am not sure why none of the garages have told me this previously and I am honestly now at the end of my rope!

I love my car dearly. It was a present from my granddad so has real sentimental value rather than monetary.

I could really use some sound advice please from folk who know what they are doing. Perhaps even an inspection??

Thanks guys.
All the best.
Janie x

[Tramp]

Hello Janie, where are you located?

[Janie]

Halesowen, West Mids
X

[Jordi]

Sounds like a series of botched repairs only doing half a job.

Are you happy to tackle the mechanical side yourself?

[Janie]

Hiya
Wish I could! Unfortunately wouldn't know where to start!
Need local help if you know any??
Janie x

[Tramp]

I'm sorry I'm not close at all, it sounds like you need a front axle rebuild, including wheel bearings and king pins, it may also be worth making sure your front wheels are balanced ok,

I have to ask, in your post you mention about selecting 4 wheel drive, you don't run 4wd on the road do you? Jimny's don't have a center differential which means if you use 4wheel drive on the road you get a condition called 'diff wind up' this makes the ride truly awful and bouncy/shakey and can ultimately damage your axles and gearbox, on the road you need to use 2wd high

[Janie]

Thanks for info. Much appreciated.

No, never run 4wd on the road. Just came on when wheel gave up and it couldn't be disengaged.
Suzuki garage have sorted that but everything else now appears to be knackered. Wish first garage had told me that!

If you know a forum member in this neck of the woods who could help that would be great??

Jx

[donkeychomp]

Alas I am too far away to help you, but a word...NEVER USE KWIKFIT!

They fail every single car MOT hoping you will let them 'fix' the problems that they invent/create.

Bunch of useless bloody pricks the lot of them.

Anyway welcome to the club and I'm sure they'll be someone nearby to come and help!

[ROBBIE]

Hi sorry to hear your problems, but Im to far away to help

[Janie]

Wanted please Jimny front axle.
Are second hand ones likely to go the distance?
Thx jx