Wading prep

All tech relating to the Suzuki Vitara that won't relate to any other models, Front IFS etc.
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CopperBottom
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Wading prep

Post by CopperBottom » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:34 pm

Hey everyone

Whilst I'm mechanically savvy, im clearly short on knowledge on off road prep is fairly minimal at best. I got chatting to a couple of blokes in the pub last night, both of which have LR's they off road. After I mentioned I was going to Slab this weekend, they mentioned a couple of bits that I should consider if I plan on getting fairly deep in water

First being the breathers for the diffs, and extending the breathers. Made sense, and having looked at the breathers this morning it's clear they're pretty short. Easy job

The second was a drain plug for the bell housing. Now whilst I understand the theory that if mud and water get in the bell housing it will cause issues, but I don't really know what I'm looking for to see if the Vit already has one installed, and if not, what I need to do to have some sort of drain/waterproofing for the bell housing.

Can anyone educate me?

I'm going to take it that the bell housing hasn't been modified already. If so, would it be wise to avoid any deep water for the time being?

Cheers

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twiss
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Re: Wading prep

Post by twiss » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:41 pm

Personally I wouldn't seal up the entire bell housing.
Yes a bit of mud might get in there, but you can wash it out pretty easily by holding a hose over the timing hole plug

I think if you seal it all up, water and mud would probably get in there somehow, but it would be much more difficult to clear it out.
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CopperBottom
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Re: Wading prep

Post by CopperBottom » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:46 pm

So does the bell housing have a natural drain hole/slot for water to drain out as it is?

courior
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Re: Wading prep

Post by courior » Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:33 pm

Also think about breathers for the t.box and g.box. rubber glove on the dizzy. Decent ht leads and maybe check the knuckle seals on the steering knuckles.
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Hodgie812
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Re: Wading prep

Post by Hodgie812 » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:21 pm

Land rovers have a threaded drain hole in the bottom of the bell housing, you fit a wading plug in it to stop the clutch getting wet. Maybe this is what the are on about? I'm sure Vitara's don't have one.
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donkeychomp
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Re: Wading prep

Post by donkeychomp » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:43 pm

Try not to stop for too long in deep water, your wheel bearings will thank you for it...
If it ticks over...leave it

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Jordi
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Re: Wading prep

Post by Jordi » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:54 pm

donkeychomp wrote:Try not to stop for too long in deep water, your wheel bearings will thank you for it...
As will the interior if you're really in deep water for too long, seats take forever to dry out.
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Re: Wading prep

Post by Ladaman » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:57 pm

donkeychomp wrote:Try not to stop for too long in deep water, your wheel bearings will thank you for it...
Yep I can agree with that.


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