[gsbhatia]

My Wagon R's suspension (9+ years, 58K km) has been acting a bit choppy lately. I've started to experience big thuds getting more pronounced while negotiating over pot-holes and it's started to produce very irritating clunking sound while accelerating and retarding.


I went to 2 different mechanics and both more or less diagnosed the following problems:

1. Shocker leaking on right side. Almost all oil has leaked. Needs replacement. Both of them.

2. "Chimta" needs replacement. Anyone familiar with this term? I think it means strut + tie rod assembly. Correct me if I'm wrong. There is a huge play when I jack up and hold the front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and try to twist it sideways. I think it is classic symptom of ball joint/tie rod gone kaput.

3. Needs steering assembly replacement. Again, there is clunk when I try to swing the steering wheel at rest.

4. Bushing needs replacement. It's aged and worn out.


I scanned under the car and verified some of the things with my limited knowledge, and could see visible signs of wear. I went to spare shop (Batra Spares, Ajit Arcade, East of Kailash) and got the following quote:

1. Shocker: I was quoted 2x1550=3100 for Gabriel. Does it sound reasonable?

2. Chimta - 1100 Rane make. I browsed through the forum and found people not too happy with Rane. Talbros was another brand, quoted at about the same price. Talbros at least has a website and seems to be a better brand. Which brand is recommended? Is there any MGP availability? Does it cost the same, give or take a few?

3. Steering assembly: I was quoted 2600. I don't remember the brand. Does this sound OK? What is the preferred brand? Again, does anyone have experience buying MGP? What does steering assembly replacement entail?

4. Bushing: Rs. 100/piece. Any brand I should care about?

5. Mechanic labour: 800, demanding full day's work.

Total cost comes out to about 8-9k. I inquired at MASS and all they had to say was that it would cost about 25-30K . They didn't give any detailed estimate though.

I've never been to a local mechanic in my life. Never been anywhere except MASS, for that matter. This is the first time I'm even contemplating getting my car fixed at a mechanic. Since most of the cost involves spare parts and I'm planning to kibitz the whole time over mechanic's shoulder, I think it would be a good idea to get it fixed at local mechanic since cost savings are significant, 10k vs 30k.

I'd appreciate the expertise of forum members who may have had a similar experience.

[aargee]

@Bhatia - I would never take it other than MASS. Anyway, I guess, for your entire suspension overhauling would cost around 25K. I've replaced my struts, steering assy (moron MASS did part of 40K master servicing) once & the entire service costed about 15K.

You've another option; ask MASS guys about the details of the work & how they carry out, like wise, do the same with the independent garage & then compare for yourself as which one sounds better.

Alternatively, you can approach a small time MASS player (guys who only have Maruti workshop, no sales no showroom etc) & they should do a decent job & cost you less.

[rakesh_r]

I would suggest go to a good reputed MASS.About brands,i would steer clear of gabriel.I had to replace my 98 zen's shocker,while on the way from mumbai to kerala. After 5000km its already gone kaput

[sandip]

Hi

My Wagon R - 5 years 60,000 km has developed the same problem too.

The mechanic told that I have to completely change ALL FOUR suspensions. On enquiring, he showed me some liquid marks on the suspensions and said that is the proof that they require to be changed.

Now to be honest, the car is showing signs of some problems with the suspension. The typical ones like too much internal rattles on driving ver rough roads etc AND during my trip to Goa, I had flown over a man made obstacle and the landing had forced me to change - yes change the left wheels ( both front and rear). So I wouldn't be as surprised if it had been the left side suspensions.

But ALL 4 at one go ? I know it is certainly possible , well at least theoretically - but would like some experts to cast some light.

I was also told by MASS that this carries no gurantee/warranty. So what life should I expect of these new ones considering city driving on week days and "Sedate" highway drivings on weekends.

[CrackedHead]

Get the work done at any mechanic you are comfortable with - but - make sure you source MGP parts only.

There are a lot of low quality parts (lots of fake Gabriel struts in the market) available and these will cause a lot of headaches down the road. Maruti has MGP parts dealers in all big cities - please source your parts from them. The MGP parts are actually almost as cheap but are miles ahead in quality.

[sandip]

Thanks Crackhead.

I am assuming that Maruti manufactures spares (?) from your reply.
If yes - I would not mind shedding out some extra dough and getting it installed from them.
But what sort of life do I expect from this?

If no - then what spares do Maruti use? Any Idea?

I am contemplating taking the car to a different MASS this Sat and getting an alternative opinion.

[SirAlec]

Trailing arm is commonly called "chimta" in local mechanics vocabulary .

Steering choices you have is by delphi or Sona. both Maruti OEM.
Suspension, Gabriel and Escort are good. Price quoted is reasonable.
For rubber parts uses MGP bought from any maruti Service Center. Be careful lot of counterfeit MGP packaged is roaming around in Delhi.

BTW where in delhi do you live.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by gsbhatia

2. "Chimta" needs replacement. Anyone familiar with this term?

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Trailing arm is commonly called "chimta" in local mechanics vocabulary .

Any swivelling arm of an independent suspension setup, such as a trailing arm, upper or lower wishbone, or the single arm of a McPherson strut setup, is called a "chimta".

Originally Posted by sandip

...change ALL FOUR suspensions. On enquiring, he showed me some liquid marks on the suspensions...

Liquid marks are usually a sign of a leaking hydraulic shock absorber (aka damper) - the whole suspension requiring change sounds unreal.

[akshay]

For 25k - autopoint noida is giving a lot more services for my 5 and a half year old wagonr which incidently is also due for an overhaul. I'd recommend a visit there - see what you can negotiate.

[chatterjeeps]

Hello All,

I own Maruti WagonR LXi 2007 model. I got my car services at Maruti Authorized Service Center for Rs 18000 where they changed all the shockers and suspension, steering assembly and brakes. My initial complaint was too much sound from my car. There is no improvement in the drive quality or the sound and I fear they have put spurious parts. I am very disappointed and when I went to the service center with my complaint, they say everything has been put new and my car is perfectly OK. But I am not satisfied after having spent so much.

Can anybody advice what I should do now?

[antardaksh]

Hi,

Even I am using 2007 Lxi and MASS has suggested we change all the shockers in next service.

It would be helpful if you can share price of suspension parts and brand used.

Regards.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by chatterjeeps

Hello All,

I own Maruti WagonR LXi 2007 model. I got my car services at Maruti Authorized Service Center for Rs 18000 where they changed all the shockers and suspension, steering assembly and brakes. My initial complaint was too much sound from my car.

Wow. A fat bill I must say

Originally Posted by chatterjeeps

There is no improvement in the drive quality or the sound and I fear they have put spurious parts.

Didn't you test drive the car post the repairs before paying the bill? Had you done a TD and said that 'I am no happy' guys at MASS would have looked into the problem further.

Originally Posted by chatterjeeps

I am very disappointed and when I went to the service center with my complaint, they say everything has been put new and my car is perfectly OK. But I am not satisfied after having spent so much.

Please go any ask for the parts that were removed from your car. You will be given the old parts and the boxes of the new ones when installed in your car.
Check them out first.

Originally Posted by chatterjeeps

Can anybody advice what I should do now?

Raise this issue to the higher ups if your not getting any help and action from the SA/ engineers who attended you.

Anurag.

[smarth.katyal]

I own a 2005 WagonR LX model. Same problem-too much cabin noise,though my car is now 8 years old and done 95k kms. I was considering getting a new car,but simply love the L10D engine and the way the car handles so decided to spend a few more on this instead of a new car,so postponed it for another year or so.
Getting back to the point, ive been experiencing cabin noise from almost 60k kms onwards. But i could get it corrected at every service by replacing and greasing(silicon grease) the caliper pins on both the front brakes. No noise after that. So i would advice you to check your calliper assembly and pins for proper lubrication and wear and tear. But now,the pins seem to be in good condition and still have lots of noises, and since its nearing the 100k mark,what components of the suspension give way? and how much will they cost? My trusted MASS says my steering assembly is also going kaput,this he could say by turning the steering with a jerk when the car was standing and it made a tuk-tuk noise. He says part of the noise even when driving can be attributed to the steering assembly. My question,can it be some rubber spacers or something than can be replaced instead of the entire assembly because the noise seems to be of two metal parts hitting each other(basically joints).

[adishenoy]

Originally Posted by smarth.katyal

I own a 2005 WagonR LX model. Same problem-too much cabin noise,though my car is now 8 years old and done 95k kms. I was considering getting a new car,but simply love the L10D engine.

I have a Zen Estilo which has the same underpinnings as the Wagon R. The F10D engine is pretty responsive and has more torque than the K10b.

But i could get it corrected at every service by replacing and greasing(silicon grease) the caliper pins on both the front brakes. No noise after that. So i would advice you to check your calliper assembly and pins for proper lubrication and wear and tear. But now,the pins seem to be in good condition and still have lots of noises, and since its nearing the 100k mark,what components of the suspension give way? and how much will they cost?

Greasing the caliperpins is done when you hear noise from the brake caliper. This noise is highly irritating when driving over broken roads and the method you've described is the right method to rectify the problem.

My trusted MASS says my steering assembly is also going kaput,this he could say by turning the steering with a jerk when the car was standing and it made a tuk-tuk noise. He says part of the noise even when driving can be attributed to the steering assembly. My question,can it be some rubber spacers or something than can be replaced instead of the entire assembly because the noise seems to be of two metal parts hitting each other(basically joints).

The 100K mark is no sure shot way of determining the health of the suspension. Age and road conditions you drive on may harm the suspension way before that. The front suspension setup on my car is recently changed at 45K kms and 6 yrs. MASS changes a lot of parts when doing the suspension work, lower arms, struts, steering assembly etc were changed. The steering had play and I was advised to change it as well. The total bill was about 17K and it included servicing. The car feels like new again, I'd suggest you to go ahead with the suspension overhaul.

[arnabchak]

I am getting a continuous screeching noise from my front left suspension area.

On getting it checked, the MASS attendant told me that this is due to a hardened rubber and also the lower arms may have some play.

The total estimate including labour would be approx. 8K.

Can this be done outside MASS as the car is outside warranty and run 54K ++ kms.

Any good service stations in Thane/Central region who can do a decent job at a reasonable price.

I somehow feel that maybe only changing the rubber, which may have hardened due to climatic conditions may solve the issue.