Help! More Expense

[The Monzta]

My SVX had its first service this week since I bought it and I had it MoT'd as well. It failed the MoT on its front brakes.......low pads and cracked discs. These have now been replaced and I have my car back with a stamped up service book and a fresh MoT pass.

The garage that did the work noticed though that the front calipers are in very poor condition and advised they be replaced as soon as possible. Also the noise from the rear that I had surmised to be the dreaded rear wheel bearings going is in fact coming from the rear diff. They have advised that the diff be replaced rather than be rebuilt.:(

They are going to price up a set of new front calipers and a rear diff but they said it couldn't hurt to get further advice from other owners as to sourcing these items from a cheaper supplier.

So folks, can anyone help me here?

[Nobody]

I have problems with rear diff. (bushing) as well. As I found out it is the same like in Nissan 300 I try get more info to replace all necessary parts from there. As I have cehceked with Subaru, original parts are extreemly expensive and have to buy whole unit :-(
Peter

[Andy]

The front calipers are also Nissan and they may be cheaper.

I would also suggest contacting Tony Shale as he has a parts car.

[b3lha]

GET A SECOND OPINION ON THE DIFF!!!

We had TWO different Subaru dealers inform us that the loud noise was coming from the diff and it would have to be rebuilt. But they both said that their mechanics didn't have the skills/tools to repair a diff, only replace it.

So I took the car to a tranmission specialist in Slough, expecting to pay a thousand quid to have the diff rebuilt. He took it for a drive and told me almost immediately that it was not the diff, just a wheel bearing.

He replaced the wheel bearing for a very good price too, although I can't remember exactly how much it was.

Phil.

[Nobody]

As for my case it is deffinitely rear diff. I was told both tranny expert and Subaru dealer. I have luck because my Subaru dealer has a very good skilled mechanic who will do it for me. The whole unit cost I think about 800 USD so it is wasting money...
Peter

[The Monzta]

Can anyone give me more details about exactly which Nissan models share the same diff and front calipers as our cars? I especially want to get my calipers replaced ASAP for safety's sake.

Thanks in anticipation.

[Andy]

Pathfinder

[The Monzta]

Is the Nissan Pathfinder available in the UK or is it yet another rare Jap import? Or is it known here under a different name?

[wawazat??]

The caliper casting itself rarely goes bad, it is typically just the seals, boots, slides, and occasionally a piston (if the seals go bad). Order the caliper rebuild kit and do a tear-down.


Todd

[Andy]

Originally posted by The Monzta
Is the Nissan Pathfinder available in the UK or is it yet another rare Jap import? Or is it known here under a different name?

It is a UK car.

Have you tried Tony yet?

[The Monzta]

Originally posted by Andy


It is a UK car.

Have you tried Tony yet?

And you're sure the Pathfinder has exactly the same calipers as the SVX? Do you know what Nissan shares our diffs?

I've PM'd Tony and await a reply.

[Andy]

I suggest you carry out a site search as there is a wealth of information on this already.

[The Monzta]

Will do, thanks.

BTW, the garage rang me this morning with prices from the Subaru dealer.......brace yourself...........

.......£286 + VAT + shipping from Japan per brake caliper

and........£1900 + VAT + shipping for the rear diff!!!!

Subaru have said they are unable to source a caliper repair kit. As time is of the essence from a safety point of view I'm going ahead with the calipers but I'll have to find some other way of getting the diff fixed.

[Andy]

Sounds like BS to me. If you need it desperately, try one of the US suppliers, half the price and twice as quick.

[svxistentialist]

Yes, and you have not gone to a Nissan dealer looking for Pathfinder calipers yet, so it is too soon to be throwing in the towel.

Last time I did my brakes, I used Nissan pads from Halfords at a fraction of the Subaru price. Perfect fit, and the right stuff.

I would search around a little more before throwing away money. These dealerships are in the business of separating you from your money. Never forget that.

Joe:mad:

[Andy]

Try this link

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&make=SUBARU&model=SVX&min_pr=75&max_pr=&postcode=sw17+7en&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&sort=3&search=search

All the parts you require for less than a Grand

[The Monzta]

Cheers for that Andy, I rang the person selling the car but it had already been sold. :(

I decided to go ahead with the calipers at the expensive price as time is of the essence and I'm unbelievably busy at the moment with work, DIY, my other car and it seems 1001 other things. If I get a chance I'll see if I can head my garage off at the pass if they haven't already ordered the calipers and see if Nissan can provide them at a cheaper price.

As for the diff, I'll try and find time to get a second opinion from a tranny specialist before I commit myself but I'll have to do something soon as there's quite a racket coming from the rear.

[The Monzta]

I managed to head the garage off at the pass and cancel the order for the calipers. After a little ringing around I've got the price down to £206 + VAT each. That's about £200 less than previously quoted for the pair, so that's a bit better.

As for the diff, they are significantly cheaper from the States (surprise, surprise) so if I can't find one over here cheaper then I will get one from 'over the pond'. Before I commit myself though, do the American cars use the same diffs and calipers as ours? I'm sure they probably do but it doesn't pay to take things for granted when it comes to SVXs. :rolleyes:

Also, has anyone ACTUALLY bought and fitted a Pathfinder diff and calipers to an SVX? I don't want to spend a load of cash buying Nissan parts then they don't fit.

[b3lha]

Am I right in thinking that a US diff won't fit a non-US car? Something to do with the ratios being different because they don't have proper AWD like we do.

[Andy]

Originally posted by b3lha
Am I right in thinking that a US diff won't fit a non-US car? Something to do with the ratios being different because they don't have proper AWD like we do.

A quick search brought this up

The SVX (USDM) final drive ratio is 3.545:1 (front and rear). The SVX (JDM) is 3.70:1.

I suspect we have the 3.7:1 but check up first before changing it!!!

[The Monzta]

How is it possible to check the ratio of the diff. Is it stamped on the housing or will a transmission/diff specialist be required to ascertain it?

Sod's Law that it'll be different as I could save over £1000 by getting one from the States.:(

[svxistentialist]

Monzta

Ring up your local main dealer, he will know/be able to find out. Have your chassis number ready, they will ask for it.

Ask them to check how much it will cost for a new diff, and ask him to verify the final drive ratio.

Joe:)

[Earthworm]

I believe the ratio is shown on the diff...either stamped or on a metal tag.

[The Monzta]

Originally posted by Andy


A quick search brought this up

The SVX (USDM) final drive ratio is 3.545:1 (front and rear). The SVX (JDM) is 3.70:1.

I suspect we have the 3.7:1 but check up first before changing it!!!

I spoke to my local Subaru dealer and can confirm that Brit spec cars do have a 3.7:1 final drive ratio. :mad: Typical, so I can't buy one from the States then. Though one small bit of good news is that I can get one from my dealer for £1300 + VAT which though still expensive is considerably cheaper than the £1900 + VAT I was originally quoted.

Next step is to find a reputable tranny specialist and get verification that it really is the diff making all the noise and not the wheel bearings and if so, how much a diff rebuild compares costwise against a brand new one.

[Nobody]

Hi, as for my diff, I have bad bushings - clearance there makes noise and strange sound when shifting and also moving power to rear wheels. I spoke to guy who repass my tranny and he promissed to do this job (replace rubber parts...). Also local dealer is willing to do that. I think it is wasting money to buy new diff because I only need to replace all rubber parts (which are KO). No way to buy it through Subaru, they only offer whole diff. I have heard that Nissan can offer desired parts (have not checked them yet) I will let you know when the job will be done (I asume 1 or 2 weeks).
As for me it is caused by mileage, my car has 190 000km on it and it will need also some chassis work...
Peter

[Sonar]

Found a used diff in Sweden :)

http://www.fbt.se/bilar/delar.asp?dgrnr=104&dugrnr=105&ddnr=105&grnr=169&ugrnr=110&dnr=111



/Sonny :cool:

[Sonar]

...and calipers too http://www.fbt.se/bilar/delar.asp?dgrnr=105&dugrnr=106&ddnr=&grnr=169&ugrnr=110&dnr=111&sdel=


/Sonny :cool:

[Nobody]

Thanx Sonny (Speedy Gonzales :-)), I do not need new diff, mine is in good shape (for now). What I need are new bushings. These two oval pieces of rubber are getting me crazy...
Peter