Outer Limits 4x4 Board

After experiencing it myself and contacting a few workshops, I am trying to find out how many other Jimny owners are having rear axle bearing issues.

After coming very close to grief when my rear long-axle decided to simply slide out of my diff (luckily it didn't happen an hour earlier when I was on the freeway) - it appears there is an issue with the fitment of after market (non-suzuki genuine) bearing kits (collars etc).

I have since heard of another 6 instances where the axle has slid out - without warning - when the bearing collar has cracked or the bearing has compressed/failed....all for no apparent reason....all new bearings installed were no older than 5 months old.

The scary part is that apart from this collar and bearing, there is NOTHING else holding your axle in place. I have spent ages pouring over exploded diagrams and can't see anything. (I am happy to be corrected on this if I am wrong)

I am in the process of confirming whether *all* cases were aftermarket bearings before I make contact with Suzuki.

A warning - if you own a Jimny and have changed your bearings, the minute you hear any grumbling from your rear axles/diff.......

***PULL OVER***

I haven't been there yet, to replace bearings, but the car has only done 50K. When could I expect to have to replace the bearings?

Have you asked the same question on www.jimny.se forum yet. Similar to jimnyworld (RIP), you might get more of a response.

i replaced the lhr a couple of months ago,so far so good i'll keep an eye on it

no drive train issues as yet @ 70K

Ive had no issues although i did replace my Jimny rear wheel bearings twice and used aftermarket bearings and collars.The collar holds the bearing in place but also the backing plate is also held in by the bearing and collar and the backing plate has studs which go into the axle housing assembly and the nuts hold the whole assembly together.Maybe the bearing or collar was pressed on not square? and it was worked loose? I replaced my rear wheel bearings about every 6 months on 235/75/15 MTR/S but it was the swampy water which destroyed them.But maybe its the strain of the 32inch tyres on pissy small bearings that were never designed to take that strain.I know u like staying with all Suzuki parts but u should get some Hilux diffs and u won't have these issues. l

Salli - you have a good point there.

I have only heard of issues with after-market bearings/collars, I know of Jimnys running biggers rubber than mine with no hassles....

Hey Squik

How was the hire car

Heath

just a thought, you wouldnt have a bent housing that is workin agenst the bearings ripping them apart

found thiss inailure an 60 serries kept poping the bolts from the axil

with a fixed bearing it will wear it iot quick as that the inner and the outer of the bearing are working agenst each other causing failure

Heath....firstly thanks to you and the girls for being legends

The Pox-Trail was an experience, I became one of "those" people for a week. Brendan (4130warrior) loved it though...he wants one so he can pick up old ladies at bowling clubs

Suz-Rolly...nah, axles/housings are fine (mind you I needed a new one after repeatedly shunting the axle back in along the beach, which has been replaced now)- appears to be an issue with after market bearings and the fact that there is nothing else holding the axle in.
Weak bearing/collar + no backup = axle slips out.

Just had a chat with another Jimny owner, he heard a click in his rear end but as he was booked into the mechanics the next day didn't take any notice.
The mech put the Jimny up on the hoist and wriggled the wheel to check the bearings.....the axle slid out and all he did was pull on it.
He had changed his bearings only 3 months beforehand...aftermarket.

Question....are any other Suzukis like this? How are axles held in?

Havnt checked mine yet but its only started making a clicking noise in the rear, still on the factory bearings, ill check and let you know if the axle falls out

good luck with suzuki they are hopeless to deal with at the best of times

squik how are they installing your wheelbearings? pressing them on cold or are they heating the retaining collar to expand it and then slipping it on??

is the same mechanic installing it everytime ??? have you changed the axle it could be possible that your axle has worn undersize
as they are the same in sierra's and they've been fine for years so i'ed be looking elsewhere

It would be interesting to know what mods have been done to the vehicles that have experienced this problem.

Squik, you mentioned that the retainer is the only thing holding the axle in. That's the nature of a semi floating axle, it's just how they're made. It does sound strange to me that there have been failures like this. Any chance of getting pics of the failed retainer?

On the upside, you can now justify spending a sh*tload of coin on a custom full floating rear end for safety reasons of course!!

made sticky for a little while due to the safety issue.

i've replaced my rear bearings twice within 40.000k, i have use aftermarket bearings with no problems. and haven't had any axle issues, yet. but i do carry a rear wheel bearing in the glove box.

i'm pretty hard on my jimny. it also runs 30's on F100 7 inch rims, this stresses the brearings because of the difference in the offset.

will be watching my bearings real close now though.


Mitch

squik. have you changed the diff assembly at all or just swapped the bearings with non genuine ones?

there were some people modifying the backing plate and using sierre bearings i think.

from memory the backing plate( the one where the brake shoes/cylinders are mounted) will stop the bearing from sliding out. it is held in place by the 4 studs and nuts on the end of the diff housing. along with the press fit of the bearing in the diff housing. (its been a while since i had it apart)

it sounds like the bearing O.D. is 2 small to create the required interferience fit in the housing.

i have replaced my rear bearings once in my 45000kms and have had no problems but i used genuine bearings.

Some familiar names here so why not drop a line. The blue beast has a new home to a guy in Melbourne. I changed my rear bearings at 38,000. My 2c worth.

I may be found in the Rover section now.

Rob

Bozwon - as squik said, the bearing did not come out, so the issue of the backing plate is not relevant.
the actual axle came out leaving the bearing and collar in the diff housing.
I know that a hilux has the same style of bearing on the rear, only that there is a circlip on the inside of the collar so that if it does happen to come loose, the circlip (however small it is) will have some retaining effect.
maybe an engineering shop could lathe a grove on the axle to fit a circlip for this?

No Idea wrote:Bozwon - as squik said, the bearing did not come out, so the issue of the backing plate is not relevant.
the actual axle came out leaving the bearing and collar in the diff housing.
I know that a hilux has the same style of bearing on the rear, only that there is a circlip on the inside of the collar so that if it does happen to come loose, the circlip (however small it is) will have some retaining effect.
maybe an engineering shop could lathe a grove on the axle to fit a circlip for this?

whoops my bad.

i guess you could get a circlip put in but if a genuine collar wont work then it is time for a new axle. the bearing is a tight fit and i had 2 grind both the bearing and collar off the axle.

if your really worried i would try using a bearing retaining compound when fitting the new bearings and collar

Whilst I'm not a Zook driver, thought a bit of info on adding circlip grooves might be relevant. DON'T turn circlip grooves in axles as it creates significant stress points that could lead to failure.

From what little I know, grooves in factory axles are rolled in when the axle is being made allowing the grain structure of the steel to follow the profile.

From my rally days ( yep a few years ago... ) I remember a few failures caused by home made circlip grooves.

I also distantly remember that its possible to cold roll groves in - but best talk to someone who knows. Total Traction Drivelines in Melbourne would be a good place to start.