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D_E_Bishop's avatar
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015

Suzuki Parts

We have two Suzuki's that are rigged for towing, one is a '95 Sidekick and the other is a 2006 Grand Vitara. On occasion I need a part or two and there are quite a few after market parts for the Sidekick but other than brakes and body parts there isn't much available for the Vitara.

The Vitara is a Canadian version but I don't know if parts availability is greater up North or the same as here. Any help on parts outfits that have access to either factory parts or after market parts would sure be appreciated. Right now the repair shop I use is having trouble finding the transfer case front seal and bearing and I need my car back.

On a slightly different subject, towing the Sidekick and towing the GV are as different as night and day. I don't even notice the Sidekick once we get on the road but the GV is definitely back there all the time. When I bought the GV the Sidekick was broken and I was trying to wholesale it and couldn't. I had a new trans installed and started comparing the two, boy oh boy does that extra weight and size make a huge difference. A ten to fifteen percent difference in MPG between the two. Glad I kept the Sidekick but I really like the features of the GV.
  • navegator's avatar
    navegator
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2015
    The front seal and bearing are going to be in millimeters, measure both outer and inner diameters of the old parts and you will find out that these parts can be found at houses that sell bearings and seals, most of these are standard sizes no manufacturer has special parts manufactured it is to expensive, so they use what is already available.

    The reason for purchasing parts from the dealer boils down to liability, the day lawyers get sued for malpractice and greed the world will be better, you can use a bearing and a seal that is not a Suzuki part, as long as all the measures are the same as what was there.

    The seal needs attention to the inner surface, some seals have a dry small ridge that actually spirals in to push the oil into the case, WARNING there are also some that do the opposite so make sure you use the correct one and also the bearing thickness so that it does not vibrate back and forth in the housing.

    navegator
  • DougE's avatar
    DougE
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2015
    The Suzuki Sidekick is identical to the Chevrolet Geo Tracker. Most parts can be ordered through GM outlets. There's also a fairly large Sidekick Community out there if you'll google for it. lowrangeoffroad.com, izook.com, etc.
  • navegator's avatar
    navegator
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2015
    Depending on the type of gasket, in years past we used to by gasket material and make our gaskets, I still have my very small ball peen hammer and scissor's to cut the gasket out, only gaskets that we had to purchase were the head gaskets.

    navegator
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 04, 2015
    Really depends on whether it is mechanical or appearance parts.
    I can get most mechanical parts over night from O'Reilly's.
    Appearance parts have ben available through auto salvage yards. Spaulding Auto in Spokane has good selection. (800 366-2070) They have some after market body parts.
    Yes, Sidekicks are different then GV in towing. There is a little weight difference. Biggest I notice is the front suspension. The GV has updated from Sidekick which was a big update from the Samari.
    What parts are you looking for?
    Front seal should be available from a good bearing shop. It would not be a Suzuki parts but replaced via numbers and dimensions.

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