Vitara front diff

[hsv37]

I have a 2004 Grand Vitara manuel TA03 with a G16B motor and I have cracked the front diff housing, giving it death last weekend. I've read heaps of the forums and I know it is best to get a steal diff, but can't afford it.

What I need to know is can I put the front diff from a TA01-W in my Vitara?

It appears that but the TA03 and the TA01-W are 5.125 ratio, however the TA03 are hard to find AND EXPENSIVE. I have a mate with the spare TA01-W front diff, is this compatable with the TA03 Vitara?

[churchill]

If it's just the housing I have a spare one and I also have spare vacuum freewheel front diff centre. If the diff head is damaged I'm fairly sure you can swap parts to get the right combination to fit your vehicle. Whats actually broken? The head or the housing? (part the heads fit into).

[hsv37]

It's just the housing, the diff still works fine, it's just leaking all the diff oil out. It's got a hairline crack over the top about 100mm long.

A mate suggested welding it up? Not sure if that is a good long term answer?

Churchill - how much would you let me have the housing you have for?

[churchill]

$50 plus shipping for mine. Its got the lower fill point so you might need to jack the front of your truck up to fill the oil to the right level.

[hsv37]

So the housing you have is out of a TA03 Vitara? Also I see you are in Auckland, what area? As I may be able to collect?

[churchill]

The housing's from a 1997 V6 that uses Grand Vitara running gear. I'm in East Auckland, where are you?

[hsv37]

I'm in Titirangi, west Akl. Just to clarify then is the housing you have is steal or alloy?

[churchill]

Alloy, the steel diffs I think only came out of XL7's and some manual gv's. I just checked it and it'll need both new side seals, ~$10 each from Suzuki. It's from my truck and was removed when the head broke at 125000km. The case itself is fine.

Check this out:

http://www.suzuki-forums.com/1g-1999-2005-vitara-grand-vitara/37371-front-dif-loose-drive-shaft.html

I did this to my diff and it stopped the RH seal oil leak.

Feel free to check it out, I'll pm my address to you if you want.

[hsv37]

Yes please let me know your address and contact number via pm, I'll get in touch. Cheers Rob

[Pico42]

It's just the housing, the diff still works fine, it's just leaking all the diff oil out. It's got a hairline crack over the top about 100mm long.

A mate suggested welding it up? Not sure if that is a good long term answer?

Churchill - how much would you let me have the housing you have for?

We did that to our diff, stopped the oil leak with knead-it and drove a bit more nicely for two years... Worked for us.

Compared to that, getting it welded is magic!

[hsv37]

I ended up replacing the diff housing with the one Churchill sold me. The whole job only took 2.5 hours and this included engine and transfer oil changes.

Glad I did it this was as the crack in the old housing was bad, not to mention the side oil seals were stuffed too.

Thanks Churchill for all your help, advise and links

[churchill]

That was a fast change! Glad I could be of assistance and happy that it worked out for you.