Never take driving for granted and take your eyes off the road for a second also. Always be alert.

BHPian TorqueyTechie recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Today I was a bad driver resulting in an accident that left me with a banged-up bonnet and a bruised ego.

After dropping my kids to school, was returning in my usual route and was behind a school bus. I was maintaining a safe distance from the school bus in front but as they say familiarity breeds contempt. I got slightly distracted watching something through the driver-side window for a second and the next thing I knew was my wife shouting at me to apply brakes. I saw that the bus had slowed down for a speed breaker which I had missed seeing. I applied brakes but the momentum of the car meant that it did hit the bumper of the bus. Result = the above damage to the car and the bus with a cracked bumper.

Parked the car to the side, while gesturing for the school bus driver to park aside as well. Glad that there were no kids on the bus. Talked to the driver, took responsibility for the accident, and assured him to transfer the amount we negotiated as I had not carried my phone (and no cash on me).

Went home, immediately transferred the amount to him, and then took the car to the service center. I would get the approximate amount after they check the car when the insurance surveyor visits them which is maybe tomorrow.

Lesson learned - Never take driving for granted and take your eyes off the road for a second also. Always be alert.

Here's what BHPian krishnakumar had to say on the matter:

Happens to the best of us, hang in there. Good of you to compensate him for the damage.

Regarding the damage to your car, I think it is not major and something that a good body shop can fix easily. I'm not sure if Maruti service centers have good body shops, but my experience with service center body shops have been extremely bad. Looks like some denting work and repainting/paint correction at the most.

I'd suggest checking out at a good body shop as well since there are 2 I know of in Bangalore run by TBHPians themselves (one of which I can swear by). The quote outside could be cheaper if Maruti is opting for a bonnet replacement.

Here's what BHPian SS80 had to say on the matter:

Any driver who accepts his mistake and realises how to avoid it in future, in my books is good. It happens, even to the best of us. But the way you handled it, paying for damage etc was setting a good example. Pat yourself and all the best, for future drives. Don't worry, the car will be back with a fresh coat of paint on the Bonet.

Here's what BHPian Ravi_Parwan had to say on the matter:

This happens to the best of us. I had a similar incident a couple of months ago, although I was able to get away with much less damage (bent numberplate) as I could brake more.

I do believe that the bonnet will need to be replaced here. it is a curved metal piece with a backing plate inside which will not allow the dent remover to hammer out the metal properly from the inside. You will end up with a misshaped bonnet filled with filler which will look really bad one year down the line, when the filler starts to crack due to engine heat.

Please push for a bonnet replacement from the insurance. All the best.

Here's what BHPian The_Rationalist had to say on the matter:

I had a similar experience in 2013, I was driving by Thrissur where I did my pre-degree and was looking at a place called Rozario bakery which used to have nice hamburgers and there was a junction immediately ahead and I ran into under run bar of a truck! The truck didn’t even notice, my car had radiator broken and other damages, cost me ₹25,000! Had to tow the car to a FNG. Have I become a better driver, a bit I guess. We all have momentary lapses, don’t know whether it is fully avoidable. I think going ahead, ADAS and all other tech will help in reducing the chances of similar mishaps.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

My plan is to buy the vehicle in Delhi NCR and then ship it to Bangalore as I am working there.

BHPian blackpanther13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi BHPians,

I am planning to buy my 1st car as a newbie in driving so a used car is the choice for me. I am 30 and married, belong to Delhi NCR and work in Bangalore.

Thinking of getting a used petrol car in the Delhi NCR area.

NOTE: Going to send it to Bangalore as did not find a lot of options in Bangalore.

Budget: 3-5 Lacs

Important Criteria:

• No Major Accidents
• <50k Kms on Odo (Little Negotiable)
• Only 1st Owner
• Make 2015 and above
• Manual Transmission (Want to start with this obviously)
• ABS / Airbags

I have only checked Spinny and Cars24 for now and shortlisted some cars. (Please suggest if there are other good offline / online options). Some of the cars which match the requirements and also my preferences are below (Please feel free to suggest a car if you think it suits the scenario):

Swift / Tiago / Grand i10 / Amaze

Details of the cars I have shortlisted are below. Will start taking test drives next week.

Swift Zxi 2015: Spinny Gurgaon : 36K kms : 4.26L

• Interiors condition food with all electricals working / Exterior condition average, some dents and scratches present.

Swift Zxi 2015: Spinny Gurgaon : 64K kms : 4.59L

• Interiors condition good with all electricals working / Exterior condition above avg, minimal dents and scratches present (Cleaner than the above Swift).

Swift Lxi (O) 2017: Spinny Dwarka : 24K kms : 4.68L

• Interiors condition good with all electricals working / Exterior condition above Avg, minimal dents and scratches present. (Cleanest Swift)

Tata Tiago XT 2019 : Spinny Ghaziabad : 37K kms : 4.58L

• Clean interiors with all electricals working / Exterior condition average, some dents and scratches present.

Tata Tiago XZ 2018 : Cars24 Gurgaon : 53K kms : 4.37L

• Clean interiors, Seat cover torn / Exterior condition average, some dents and scratches present. Some fog light issues.

Apart from the above, there are some good Grand i10 options available.

If required, I am assuming a full body Dent Paint will cost around 25k. That's max for exterior refresh? (Is it advisable to go for it? Right after I get the car or after some time?)

Keeping another 25k for accessories and any other stuff.

I have gone through some posts on the forum regarding buying an old car. Will take a mechanic along with me and also double-check the service and accidental history from the authorized dealer and insurance claims history.

Please feel free to add any suggestions/advice or things I may be missing. Planning to finalize by the end of November 2023.

Here's what BHPian arnav17 had to say about the matter:

Out of all the options you have Shortlisted, this seems to be the best.

I would still suggest that you look for cars in Bangalore itself. There are innumerable options and you saying that there are fewer options was slightly shocking.

Here's what BHPian TheCamShaft had to say about the matter:

Check out Maruti TrueValue as well, a major plus is they can show you the service history for Maruti cars, of course, if you ask for it. From a pricing point, in Bangalore, all these organized dealers (spinny, cars24, TrueValue) are almost the same. Given their access to service history TrueValue has an edge from the buyer's perspective for Maruti branded cars.

Here's what BHPian BleueNinja had to say about the matter:

I think within 3-5 lacs a used Honda Jazz should serve your purpose well.

Honda's are generally fuss-free and reliable. Jazz also has good space and is generally a safer choice.

Here's what BHPian Bhupesh_2628 had to say about the matter:

I think buying a used car in Bangalore is more logical as compared to Delhi-NCR.

The reasons are as follows:

• You do not have to transfer the vehicle from Delhi-NCR to Bangalore and vice-versa (in case you plan to sell it back in Delhi-NCR).
• Any vehicle registered outside Karnataka can now ply in Karnataka for a full year without paying lifetime tax.
• But if you are keeping your vehicle beyond 1 year, then you have to pay lifetime tax as laid out in the Motor Vehicles Act and have your vehicle re-registered in Karnataka.

You can refer to this thread for more information.

The used car prices in Bangalore are higher than that in Delhi-NCR. However, if you plan to keep your car for more than 1 year, then the higher cost you pay in Bangalore makes more sense. It saves you from paying lifetime tax + re-registration procedures + difficulty in selling out-of-state car.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The next-gen Maruti Swift is expected to go on sale in India sometime next year.

The fourth-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift made its global debut in concept form at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Now, just days later, the car has been spotted testing in India for the first time.

The spy images reveal a heavily camouflaged prototype of the new Swift. The car has a new design grille and sweptback headlamps with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and a clamshell bonnet. 

The rear looks similar to the outgoing version though. It features angular tail lamps and a dual-tone bumper. Inside, the new dashboard has a layered design with a floating touchscreen head-unit in the centre, a 3-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel and a new HVAC module.

Reports suggest that the new Swift will be the first model to get Suzuki's new Z-Series engine. It is said to be a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder unit, which will replace the current 4-cylinder K-Series engine.

Thanks to BHPian ashvek3141 for sharing these images with other enthusiasts!

These cars are like timeless classics, enduring the test of time and still cruising on our roads.

BHPian MotorDev recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Oldest running nameplates that are still on sale in India | Timeless classics on the roads

Introduction

In India, some cars have been around for a very long time but are still available for purchase. These cars are like timeless classics, enduring the test of time and still cruising on our roads. Let's take a closer look at these oldest running nameplates that continue to be sold in India, showcasing their lasting charm and popularity among car enthusiasts.

Mercedes Benz E-Class: 1995

Partnering with Tata, Mercedes Benz introduced the E-Class sedan as their first official car in India, marking 28 years of its enduring legacy. This vehicle redefined luxury, setting a benchmark for all upcoming premium vehicles. Remarkably, it still stands out for its comfort to rear passengers, making it a prominent choice in the market.

Honda City: 1998

In 1998, Honda made its Indian debut with the City. The first-generation model, equipped with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine producing 102PS, became an instant hit for its looks and performance. It quickly became one of the most sophisticated sedans of its time, capturing the hearts of many enthusiasts. However, over the generations, some argue that the car's premium quality has diminished, with the first generation being the pinnacle. Nevertheless, the City, now in its 5th generation, still holds a special place in the hearts of many, retaining its charm despite the changing times.

Mahindra Bolero: 2000

The Bolero is the most outdated model on this list because it hasn't seen any significant updates in the last two decades. This rugged workhorse, primarily favoured in the commercial market, has maintained immense popularity. Surprisingly, it sells well, securing a spot in the top 25 best-selling cars list. Additionally, the Bolero later gave rise to a highly successful pickup truck variant.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R: 1999

The Wagon R, an icon in the Indian market, is beloved for its tall-boy and practical design, a sentiment shared by many even today. Its spacious interior and practicality have always been standout features. Currently in its fourth generation, the Wagon R continues to be a no-nonsense practical car with impressive fuel economy and a roomy cabin. Its popularity remains evident as it consistently ranks among the top 3 most sold cars in India every month.

Mahindra Scorpio: 2002

When SUVs were a fresh concept in the Indian market, Mahindra introduced the Scorpio, instantly winning hearts with its muscular appearance. It marked Mahindra's inaugural global venture and gained popularity in numerous international markets. During its early days, it featured rear-wheel drive, a single-din stereo, roof-mounted AC, and power windows. Surprisingly, even after decades, it remains one of Mahindra's best-selling cars. Despite the launch of the successor, Mahindra Scorpio-N, the first-gen Scorpio is still available as the Scorpio Classic, despite its outdated features and higher price tag. It continues to hold a deeply emotional place in the hearts of its loyal fans.

Toyota Camry: 2002

After the successful launch of the Qualis, Toyota introduced the Camry as its second product in India. Despite Toyota’s global reputation for reliability and long-lasting cars, the Camry didn't perform exceptionally well in India initially. During those years, sedans were very popular in the country, and the Camry, being a premium car, was seen as an affordable choice compared to luxury sedans. Even though it struggled in the beginning, the Camry has stood the test of time and is now known as a highly reliable vehicle, often used as a chauffeur-driven car.

Maruti Suzuki Alto: 2000

The Maruti Alto was introduced as a step up from the 800 and 1000 models, offering a more premium and modern option. Priced similarly to the WagonR, it came with features like power steering, AC, and an improved instrument cluster, setting it apart from the other cars in its segment. Even after being in the market for 21 years, the Alto remains one of Maruti’s best-selling cars. People appreciate its compact size and user-friendly features, making it a popular choice among car buyers.

Hyundai Verna: 2006

The Hyundai Verna has become a beloved choice among sedan enthusiasts. Introduced as the successor to the Accent, the Verna quickly captured hearts with its attractive design and impressive features. It emerged as a strong competitor to the City and has maintained its position over the years. Now, in its fourth iteration, the Verna has successfully secured the top spot in the C-segment sedan category.

Toyota Innova: 2005

Toyota achieved remarkable success with the Qualis, and its legacy continued with the introduction of the Innova as its successor. The Innova proved to be a highly practical and spacious car, a reputation it still maintains today. It holds the title of India's most beloved MPV. The reliability of a Toyota was evident in the Innova, known for its ability to run for thousands of miles, making it a preferred choice not only for families but also for fleet customers. Even in its third iteration, despite its higher price compared to competitors, the Innova continues to enjoy significant success, consistently performing well in the market.

Continue reading BHPian MotorDev's compilation for more insights and information.

The Z-Series engine could be offered in other models like the Baleno, Fronx, Ignis and Eeco in the future.

Suzuki recently showcased the fourth-generation Swift concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. As per a new report, it would be the first model to get Suzuki’s Z-Series engine.

The new Suzuki Z-Series engine (codenamed: Z12) is said to be a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre 3-cylinder unit. It will replace the current 4-cylinder K-Series engine.

The report states that the new Z-Series engine will be more fuel-efficient while maintaining the power output of the K12 unit. Peak torque, on the other hand, is said to be slightly higher, with better low-end grunt, making it ideal for city usage.

Being a 3-cylinder, the engine’s overall weight will also be lower than the K12 unit. Overall emissions are also expected to reduce, allowing Suzuki to achieve its CAFÉ targets. The Z-Series will be paired with hybrid tech in the international market.

Suzuki’s Z-Series engine is expected to debut in 2024. It could also be offered in other models like the Baleno, Fronx, Ignis and Eeco in the future.

Source: Autocar India

Driving the car on the highways is a pleasure but the AC is okay at best.

BHPian sizz28 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Fellow bhpians,

My Virtus GT Edge Plus completed 1.5 months recently. I have already covered 1400kms and got done with the 1 month/1k kms swagat service as well. For the first 1000kms I followed the engine run-in guidance and kept the speed in check.

Up until now, things have been smooth sailing. I have mostly driven in the city, a couple of day trips and a trip to Madikeri and have enjoyed the drive on highways.

Wanted to share quick notes on my experience so far. Most of the observations that others on the forum have noted are true for me as well.

The Good

1. Drive is very smooth and to me, the suspension also felt pretty good (coming from Swift)
2. Braking is pretty good. However, the occasional brake noise is present from day 1.
3. The engine, the brakes and the overall ride compliance make driving on Highways a pleasure and it feels very confident. (I haven't crossed speed limits mostly. Went above 120 once or twice.)
4. The cabin noise insulation is pretty good. Music system performance is also decent. It feels a 2-3 level higher than the Maruti system I had gotten used to. We have used music via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay only till date.
5. Ventilated seats feel really good on hot days and long drives.

The Bad

1. AC is okay at best. We keep it at 21 with Auto mode and even then during sunny days, the AC makes quite a noise.
2. Wireless charging is quite bad. It's slow, heats the phone and half the time errors out with "charging suspended" displayed on the car's screen.
3. The noise from the seat ventilation system is quite high and we have to turn it off after 20-30 mins or so.
4. My car came with some new software upgrade which has the rear seat belt warnings turned on. So if I keep my laptop bag on the rear seat, the annoying chime warning with flashing icons in the console starts and remains for like 10ish mins.

The Ugly

1. Already feeling some squeaking noises inside the cabin here & there.
2. I also hear an occasional hissing (or more like Darth Vader's breathing) noise from below the steering when the AC is turned on. I have observed it mostly during the morning times mostly. I asked the service center folks to check it out during the Swagat service but when they tried and we did a test drive - it didn't happen.
3. Lastly, from today the wireless Android auto and Apple car play both connections started getting disconnected frequently. I had to go to the Airport and on the way, we had 3-4 disconnects. Never had this for the first 1200-1300 km.

Is there any known fix for the Android Auto/Apple car play disconnection issue?

Has anyone noticed the AC hissing/breathing noise in their cars too?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new Maruti Suzuki Swift is expected to be launched in India sometime in 2024

Suzuki has officially revealed the fourth-generation Swift at the Tokyo Motor Show. It is expected to arrive at our shores sometime next year.

The Swift Concept showcased at the event looks production-ready, and we can expect the India-spec Maruti Swift to adopt a similar design.

Speaking of design, the new Swift looks like an evolution of its predecessor. It carries forward the floating roof design. The car has a new design grille and sweptback headlamps with L-shaped LED daytime running lights, a clamshell bonnet and a thick shoulder line. The rear has been given a slight nip and tuck and features more angular tail lamp units and a dual-tone bumper.

The interior of the new Swift looks similar to what you get in modern Maruti Suzuki products. The dashboard has a layered design with a floating touchscreen head-unit in the centre, a 3-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel and a new HVAC module. The concept appears to have a semi-digital instrument cluster.

Suzuki is likely to offer the next-gen Swift with a hybrid powertrain in the global markets.

Reaching this milestone fills me with a mix of pride, nostalgia, and gratitude.

BHPian Ashtoncastelino recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Few updates and Hitting that 100,000kms Milestone Finally!!

Wide Spray Washer Nozzles:

After witnessing the great spray pattern on the Hyundai cars made up my mind to get these wide spray washer nozzles from AliExpress through friend coming down. Not only does it have great spray pattern that covers the entire windshield it also reduces scratches on the windshield before the wiper sweeps. My addition of One-way valve helps a lot here, else the wiper does a sweep with all the dust and debris on the windshield resulting with scratches on the windshield.

Photo of the nozzles. Attaching video demonstrating the spray pattern after installing them.

Door Latch Striker Covers:

Got these also from AliExpress, covers the 4 door latch strikers well with a tight fit. Thoughts on 3D printing these are also on my mind but only time will decide.

Coating the Windshield with TurtleWax Clearvue:

I’ve been using this product since 2022 February and it has been very promising. Easy application and also lasts me easily 3-4 Months. Very satisfying to drive during rains. While other car wipers are on full speed, I don’t even need to sweep the windshield as the water just beads off.

New Wiper blades:

Was using framed Valeo wiper blades but they eventually started leaving streaks after a year so decided to change them. I loved the looks of the frameless wiper blades on the Swift so decided to get new rubber refills and installing them on my old frameless wiper blades.

Owning to the recent sale on Boodmo, I got 2 wiper blade rubber refills of Chevrolet which are of 22inch and it costed just ₹97 for each. Since Swift uses a 21/19 wiper configuration I had to just cut the new rubber refills to the size and install into the frameless blades.

Job done and back to streak-less sweeps.

Dashcam: 70Mai A500s front+ rear+ Hardwire Kit:

Got this entire kit for a steal deal and installed this before my Mumbai trip. Wired it with the fusebox using fusetaps and is working flawlessly. Memory card paired with this was the Samsung 128GB Evo Plus. Adding the CPL Filter on the dashcamera reduced the glare of the dashboard. Helped me catch few accidents on the road and also near misses with my car as such

Defective Coolant Reservoir:

I had replaced the coolant reservoir along with the coolant sourced from Boodmo. It was always leaky after a drive over bad roads and I used to always find it spilling coolant from the top cap. DBHPian Leoshashi immediately told me it’s a defective coolant reservoir and I cleaned my old coolant reservoir to reuse it. Upon close observation I noticed that the brim of the coolant was not flat and was warped causing the cap to not sit flush and create a seal.

Old vs new.

Notice the warped brim

Replaced the tank, topped up the coolant and the problem was solved.

Glow-in the Dark Switch Stickers

Since the Swift never got illuminated switches, I felt this is an el-cheapo way to give at least some illumination or make it easier to discover the switches.

Wheel Alignment:

Easily did 5000kms in the month of June-July and took the Swift straight to Jae’s for alignment. Was shocked to see that even after more than 5000kms the alignment was on point and didn’t even need any adjustment. Checked the depth of each tyre for wear as well. All looked good !

Only car for alignment.

Apot onn alignment.

100,000 KM Milestone Update:

Based on the running I had expected to hit the 1L mark by September or October but as luck would have it we hit the milestone on August 15 Independence day. The honour was given to the NH66. Dad had accompanied me whilst driving back from Mangalore.

99,999 kms.

With the People who helped me through my journey with the Swift.

Left to right. Umesh(Tyre), Vishu (Mechanic), Zakir ( Painter and denter) and Yours truly

1,00,000kms Done!

Reaching this milestone fills me with a mix of pride, nostalgia, and gratitude. Back in June 2020, when I first welcomed my Swift into my life, it had already embarked on a journey of 64,888 kilometers. Little did I know then that we would travel to the 1 lakh km milestone together, forging an unbreakable bond along the way. Each kilometer represents not just a distance covered, but a story of adventures, challenges, and cherished memories. The road has witnessed our growth, our shared moments, and the lessons we've learned together. As I look at the odometer today, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've undertaken – a journey that's more than just the sum of its parts. Here's to my Swift, my steadfast companion, and to the countless more kilometres and experiences that await us on the road ahead.

Snapshot from a recent trip to the green valley Kalasa.

Regards,

Ashton Castelino

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

After doing almost 18,000kms with the Earth 1’s the rear tyres started showing more wear than the front.

BHPian Ashtoncastelino recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Replacing the Defective Rear Axle:

The new Earth 1 tyre’s were put at the 66,000kms mark in 2020 and Initially I did not pay much attention to the wear on the tyres. Every Wheel alignment and service I noticed the rear tyres were wearing slightly on the outside. I always get my tyres and alignment done at Jae’s Udupi who have one of the best equipment’s in this district. They told the tyre rotation would fix this wear evenly but still told me to keep a close eye.

After doing almost 18,000kms with the Earth 1’s the rear tyres started showing more wear than the front. I started panicking and reached out to BHPians Dr.Naren, Leoshashi, Paragsachania and ChiranjitP for their thoughts and advice after sharing the reports from Jae’s. Naren had been facing a similar issue on his S-cross and in the end Maruti replaced his entire rear axle under warranty so he straight up told me to replace the rear axle. He also suggested if I did not want to replace the axle, I could try sourcing shims to be sandwiched between the axle and the spindle to get the correct balance. But even the shims were not cheap and not available here in India.

Right and left rear tyres.

BHPian Leoshashi, Paragsachania and ChiranjitP told me to look at the rear suspension. The rear was running on new shock absorbers. My Mechanic Vishu again rotated the tyres and told me to watch closely the wear. The Swift was getting good running and the rear tyres again started to show more wear than the front. Took another second opinion from a tyre shop in Udupi took a reading to compare the report of the values taken in Jae’s. Both were similar and showing in green zone.

Since the Swift uses a Torsion Beam for the rear and not an independent suspension like other cars, there is absolutely no adjustment possible. My contact at MASS suggested changing the Spindles than the rear axle and check for wear. I again went to my mechanic Vishu and he had a tool to measure the distance between the wheels.

He took the measurement of the front part of the rear tyre, locked the tool measurement and compared it to the back part of the rear tyre. IT HAD A GAP OF ALMOST 1-1.5CM !! Upon closer inspection I also noticed the right side bush had huge cracks. I checked for the new bushes and to my bad luck they were expensive at ₹ 1910 each side because they are SGP. It would easily cost me more than ₹5000 for replacing the bushes and I wasn’t sure if that was the main cause of the tyres wearing out because usually when a bush is busted, there will be lot of play and also a clunking noise but I had none.

Notice the difference in gap.

The right rear axle bush cracked.

Vishu suggested changing the rear axle as an assembly because the new rear axle comes pre-installed with bushes and moreover the lathe shops in my area would heat up the rear axle to put new bushes, this would reduce the strength of the metal and lead to further rusting issues. Now since I’m keeping the car till its EOL and also in the future the availability of new rear axle is unknown I started to save up for the parts.

I prepared a list of items needed for this replacement and submitted it to my MGP. They managed to source all the parts from the list under 4 days and also cut a good deal for me. Since brake lines have to be disconnected and brake bleeding is to be done, I took this opportunity to replace the 4 rubber brake hoses because they had started showing their age and developed cracks.

List of items procured were:

• Rear Axle
• Spindle X 2
• Wheel cylinder X 2
• Rear springs (K12M since it got a softer rear suspension)
• Rear brake hose
• Rear brake hose
• Front brake hoses X 2
• Axle nut X 2
• Brake fluid 500ml X 2

To save on labour costs and also the itch for DIY’s me and dad took up this project on a weekend, Vishu was kind enough to lend me two jackstands for the work. Having read the instructions from the service manual and watching few YouTube videos I was ready to undertake the work.

Parts loaded.

New rear axle.

All parts and tools ready to get to work.

Lifted the car and supported it on the jack, removed the rear wheels, unbolted the rear shock absorbers, Disconnected the brake lines, removed the rear springs and bought out the old rear axle.

Dad getting his hands dirty.

Again me and dad took a tape to measure and compare the old rear axle with the new one and as expected there was a difference. Started assembling the brake lines to the new axle from the old along with new fasteners, cleaned the old backing plates and installed the new wheel cylinders along with new spindles on both sides while torquing them to spec.

It got late at night, so we resumed work next day around noon after attending prayers in the morning.

New wheel cylinders and spindle in place.

Closer look at the broken axle bush.

Home courtyard makeshift workshop.

Got my uncle’s 407 to hold a tarpaulin and provide shade in the scorching heat and continue the work. We struggled for almost an hour to mount the new rear axle onto the chassis because the bolts were not aligning. I almost gave up at this point because I was benching the rear axle from underneath the car whilst dad trying to tighten the bolt. Alas it was done and we installed the springs, brake shoes, adjusted the handbrake and tightened the new axle nuts.

New axle in place.

Proceeded to replace the brake hoses and started bleeding the brakes. Mounted back the wheels and torqued all the lug nuts to spec. I reckon it was about 7pm by the time we completed the work and took a test drive of the car to see how the new springs performed and also tested the brakes.

Next day I took the car to Vishu to measure the gaps between the rear tyres exactly like he did the first time. Like expected the measurement was SPOT ON.

Since I had recently performed alignment at Jae’s just 700kms before the Axle change, I was eligible for a free alignment check. Checked the readings and there was huge difference in the values from before.

New Values with the new Axle.

While at Jae's I checked the vehicle alignment reports all the way back to 2015 and it seems that this old axle was out of shape since 2015. at least that is what is shown in the reports. Previous owner put 4 new Yokohoma Earth 1s at 40000km and by the time i took ownership in 2020 with 66,000kms it was bald completely depicting same amount of wear. I spoke to the previous owner and he too wasn't aware of this issue since the car was driven sparingly.

Most of y'all might feel it doesn't make financial sense to have fixed this issue but this car is the one which has taught me whatever I know today and also since this is my family's first car it won't be seeing another owner on the papers till its EOL. Touchwood ! Moreover it would be eating out the tyres which are far more expensive than the axle cost.

One thing I would like to share what BHPian Leoshashi conveyed is that Maruti specifically tells never to place jack right under the Rear axle. There is a sticker stuck on the axle alerting the same.

Signing off:

Regards,

Ashton Castelino.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new bush and damper kit was put in place, and adjusted till there was no play in the rack.

BHPian Ashtoncastelino recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Steering Rack Repair:

Two of my Biggest fear with the First generation Swift/ Dzire is the failure of the steering rack and AC compressor. The steering rack costs a whopping 35000 and the AC Compressor 58000. In my swift the AC compressor was taken care of, but the steering rack had developed a knocking sound when turning the wheel left and right. Friend and fellow BHPian Chiranjit’s Swift also had developed this issue and it was a nightmare for him.

Now apparently, the thing that goes bad in the steering rack and develops a knocking sound is the little plastic bush which is on the left side of the steering rack. I wanted to repair mine, browsed through the parts manual and checked for all the child parts available, The bush was not available separately from Maruti so aftermarket was the only choice.

Got the following parts for the steering rack repair:

• Steering rack bush
• Plunger Spring
• Plunger
• Adjusting Plug
• Check Nut
• New boots ( 48572M63J00 and 48571M63J00)
• Boot clamps (48575-63J00 and 48576M63J00)
• Stabilizer Bar Bushes

I discussed with my mechanic and decided on a day to do the overhaul.

Once we dismantled the entire sub-frame and removed it from the car, I found the left control arm ball joint busted and a inner tie rod had developed play. I gave clear instructions on not to open the torque sensor which is mounted on the steering rack.

The torque sensor and the EPS Motor.

Opening this torque sensor will lead to issues such as poor return of the steering from one side. Whilst my mechanic started dismantling the steering rack, I went to my local parts shop to get the inner tie rod, they had Talbros in stock so I gladly picked it up. MGP Control arm was sourced but was of the Ritz, it is a direct fit into the First generation Swift.

Inspected all the suspension parts for wear and tear, stabiliser bar bush was on its way out so replaced that as well. All steering rack parts were washed and cleaned thoroughly using diesel and the rubber parts were cleaned and sprayed with Wurth Silicone Spray generously.

Rack vendor in Showa.

Steering rack pressure washed.

Old bush.

New bush.

The new bush and damper kit was put in place, and adjusted till there was no play in the rack. Applied grease to the rack such that it will never run dry. Torqued all the bolts back to spec and mounted the rack onto the Sub-frame assembly. Installed the sub-frame assembly onto the car and made sure the steering wheel was at center position.

Me and Vishu took a good test drive and found the noise to be completely gone. Generally after the rack is worked upon, there is a tendancy of the steering getting heavy but lucky for me, the steering weight was the same if not lighter Touchwood!

Regards,

Ashton Castelino.

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