My old Maruti Baleno completes 1.17L km: Resolving 2 major problems

Baleno tie-rod ends weren't available locally - so used Esteem's which were a direct fit.

BHPian supremeBaleno recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

8-Jul-2023: A couple of problems pending for some time were addressed at 117,300 km.

There was a hard thud sound from the front suspension traced to the faulty right lower arm. The front left lower arm which was changed in 2019 had some life left as per my FNG, but decided to get both changed.

At the last oil-change service in April 2023, the FNG had removed the sparkplugs and ignition coil to check/clean. While fitting back, an internal spring of one of the coils got misplaced - they put in an alternate, but it wasn't a right fit and thus firing wasn't correct, leading to an issue while driving - you could feel a misfire & judder. Got the ignition coil changed.

Had bought the spares from Modern Automobiles (near High Court, Kochi).

The tie-rod ends had gone bad and had to be replaced. Baleno tie-rod ends weren't available locally - so used Esteem's which were a direct fit.

1. 2 x Lower Arms (Euromac brand): 4200 (2100 each)
2. 1 x IgnitionCoil SGP: 2060
3. 2 x Tierod ends (Esteem's): 480 (240 each)
4. Labour: 800
5. Total: Rs.7540

After changing the lower arms and tie-rod ends, the steering felt vague, which apparently is normal (I wasn't aware). The mechanic asked to get a wheel alignment done, after which the steering was back to normal.

Wheel Alignment: Rs 500

• This is the 4th Left lower arm & the 3rd right lower arm on the car in 18 years.
• Both arms were first changed at 80K service in 2014 @ Ignite, Chennai.
• Only left arm was changed in 2019 @ Gulf Auto, Kerala.
• Now both changed in 2023 @ Gulf Auto.

So basically the OE ones lasted 9 years, while the local ones barely lasted 4-5years.

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