[ManuKohli]

Hi Styler!
Could you send me your contact email / number?
Wanted some details from you about the GV you sold.
Thanks.
Manu.

MOD NOTE : Please punctuate as and when required. Thanks.

[sridhar-v]

Here is a comprehensive report on all the major repairs carried out on my Grand Vitara since 2018:-

1. Continental CrossContact AT
I had installed the Continental Cross Contact AT tyres during 2018 monsoons.
The Contis are a league apart. Very good grip in wet mud, rocks and loose gravel. They perform well on highway runs also. But they are quite noisy and fuel economy does suffer. And they pick up so many pebbles that I could put a small quarry out of business.
One tyre was suffering from persistent pressure loss. It was a puncture in the transition area of the sidewall and tread. Usual plugs would last only a few months before leaking. Finally I convinced my tyrewalla to do a comprehensive patch from the inside. And that tyre is now doing only stepney duty.

The Puncture


The repairs





2. Front struts lift
I had reported on my suspension upgrade.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post4524089 (The First Grand Vitara on Team-BHP)

However within a few months I started getting a lot of noise from the front struts. Eventually MASS insisted that I remove the rubber spacer in the front. The modified Support Front Strut brackets were replaced with OE spec ones. That solved the rattling. But the actual culprit was not the rubber spacer but the separation of the strut bracket rubber. But I do not want to take the risk of doing a repeat welding job on the new bracket.
The bracket.

The area marked in green and yellow is the spherical rubber part that sits into the frame housing.


The red and blue markup indicates the spherical rubber part.

The seat where the bonding failure happened.

3. Door rust
The top of the LH passenger door had rust under the beading. I applied rust convertor, painted with black paint and refitted the beading.



After applying rust convertor.

4. Dickey leak
The dickeystorage where water was accumulating



Sealed with silicone.



5. Master door switch cleaning & replacing.
After a heavy spell of rains in 2019 the master door switch packed up. I opened it up cleaned all the contacts and also greased the glass channels.
The switch packed up again in 2021. I replaced it with part no 37990M75J10. It is the master switch for SX4, Dezire etc. A perfect drop in replacement at Rs. 1600.






6. K&N cleaning in the lockdown
I had some K&N oil. But no K&N cleaning solution. So for cleaning I used a combination of IPA, water and Prill.
Dirty filter


cleaned


reoiled

[sridhar-v]

7. Rear suspension play
The rear suspension camber would keep on going out of spec. It was diagnosed as play in the arm bushes. I ordered the full set and then the lockdown happened.
Post lockdown I finished the replacement and alignment is perfect now.






In this marked up drawing adjustment #1 primarily adjusts camber. Adjustment #2 primarily adjusts toe in.
The knuckle bush on the knuckle (which fits the trailing arm at marked #3) has multiplane play by design.


8. Engine Mounts
I first changed the engine rear suspension mount. But I was still getting a lot of vibrations from the engine. So the front mounts were changed. The mounts rubber had separated and the engine was held in place only by its own weight.



9. Other parts changed
Antenna rod

Rear Wiper. Have not fitted it yet. Will do so over the weekend


10. Full Repaint
Covid has put paid to any plans to change the vehicle at 15 years age. The existing paint had started fading. The clearcoat had crumbled and there were dents galore all round. I had the option of repainting in the same black or going in for a new shade of colour. I decided to go in for a "hatke: colour shade.
Original colour

Test patches

Dents all round



After painting I also got the car Graphene Ceramic coated.




I did not like the silver colour of the wheels. So I painted them at home using spray cans.





And finally lots of stickers.

[sridhar-v]

11. Windshield repair
In early 2019 the windshield got hit by some pebbles. There was a deep pit from the hits. This happened when I was going to Bengaluru on urgent work. I ordered a windshield repair kit online and the same was waiting for me when I reached back. I followed the instructions and managed to do a pretty decent repair. It has held up for all these years.
The kit


Cleaning the debris

Applying vavuum

After repair

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

After painting I also got the car Graphene Ceramic coated.

And in the next few weeks, plenty of folks will stop you in the street or parking lots asking about the new Grand Vitara.

In two months I will be applying for renewal of FC/RC. Looking the specs of the new Grand Vitara and Hyryder, we still don't have a proper replacement for our GV. But we have another 5 years to pick a successor.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

And in the next few weeks, plenty of folks will stop you in the street or parking lots asking about the new Grand Vitara.

In two months I will be applying for renewal of FC/RC. Looking the specs of the new Grand Vitara and Hyryder, we still don't have a proper replacement for our GV. But we have another 5 years to pick a successor.

Yes I expect that to happen. And they will be totally confused when I explain that my shiny new car is 15 years young!
My RC is still under processing for updation of colour change. I hope to get the 5 years extension process started by end of this month.
If I can accept diesel then XUV700 is a worthy successor. Nothing is visible in petrol though.

[HooghlyBoy]

Loved this shade of Green and the matte Grey Alloys !!!
The new paint job is top-notch.
The Old Grand Vitara was never appreciated for what it offered to Indian auto enthusiasts at that point of time. The market has matured now, this model of Grand Vitara should be doing well.
Hats off Sir for your detailed documentation of the Repair works undertaken.

[jsrakkar]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

11. Windshield repair
In early 2019 the windshield got hit by some pebbles. There was a deep pit from the hits. This happened when I was going to Bengaluru on urgent work. I ordered a windshield repair kit online and the same was waiting for me when I reached back. I followed the instructions and managed to do a pretty decent repair. It has held up for all these years.
.....

Hello Sridhar Sir,

Can you please provide link for the Windshield repair kit that you have used?
There are way too many options available on Amazon India and I'm not sure which one is good to use.

Regards,
Jaspreet Singh

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by jsrakkar

Hello Sridhar Sir,

Can you please provide link for the Windshield repair kit that you have used?
There are way too many options available on Amazon India and I'm not sure which one is good to use.

Regards,
Jaspreet Singh

The item I had ordered is no longer available.
These 2 are nearest to what I used.:-
https://www.amazon.in/Windshield-Win...s%2C248&sr=8-6
https://www.amazon.in/Permatex-09103...%2C248&sr=8-13

This is from a known brand, but I do not know how it will work:-
https://www.amazon.in/Rain-X-600001-...s%2C248&sr=8-5

Which car are you using? If it is a standard desi car it may be cheaper to just change the glass.

[jsrakkar]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

The item I had ordered is no longer available.
These 2 are nearest to what I used:-
................
Which car are you using? If it is a standard desi car it may be cheaper to just change the glass.

Thanks for the links!

I'm using an Elantra and an Ertiga. Just want to get this in stock so if I do happen to have a stone hit in future, I can use it well in time before the crack widens. While Ertiga's is fairly priced, but I'm guessing the windshield replacement for Elantra won't be cheap due to rarity!

[~Zombie~]

How does the windshield crack repair hold up, especially during rain and night driving?

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by ~Zombie~

How does the windshield crack repair hold up, especially during rain and night driving?

Basically my windshield glass was buffed many times in the past and twice, in 2017, after I bought it in 2015. As a result its thickness was reduced.
Because of this the flying pebble managed to chip off the glass.

The repair has held up very well. When viewed from inside there is a small line outline of the perimeter. But it is out of the line of sight for driving and it does not bother me.
The outside surface is absolutely smooth so there is no streaking or marking when using the wipers in the rain. Similarly, during night driving, there is no streaking of light of oncoming headlights.

[Explorer!]

Hello sridhar-v Sir, Thanks for the all nice updates. I have a 2007 GV AT & Seek some help:
1.I hear some weird circling noise fromthe Left Front wheel. This is heard when speed is more than 40Kms and it increases with speed. The Service Centre expert is saying it is normal, though i feel it is not. Any suggestion on this.
2.Any Service Centre suggestions or any expert for GV in PUNE City, please advise.
3.In PUNE: Any GV enthusiast Whatsapp group or any connects please let know, through a private message.

Thanks.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Explorer!

Hello sridhar-v Sir, Thanks for the all nice updates. I have a 2007 GV AT & Seek some help:
1.I hear some weird circling noise fromthe Left Front wheel. This is heard when speed is more than 40Kms and it increases with speed. The Service Centre expert is saying it is normal, though i feel it is not. Any suggestion on this.
2.Any Service Centre suggestions or any expert for GV in PUNE City, please advise.
3.In PUNE: Any GV enthusiast Whatsapp group or any connects please let know, through a private message.

Thanks.

Could be the brake pads not kicking back and clearing the disc. But if it increases with speed it most probably will be bearing, driveshaft play or old oil in the front diff.
My MASS FNG is quite good, but I need to personally supervise all repairs. Send me a PM with contact details and we can chat.

[Explorer!]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

Could be the brake pads not kicking back and clearing the disc. But if it increases with speed it most probably will be bearing, driveshaft play or old oil in the front diff.
My MASS FNG is quite good, but I need to personally supervise all repairs. Send me a PM with contact details and we can chat.

Thanks for your response Sridhar-v sir.. Will chat. Sorry, though i tried, couldn't send a PM to you. Seek your help, in sending a PM to me with your contact details & will connect with you.