Page 3 of 33

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:26 pm
by Speed_Racer
To add to the thread, I am having my RR shock replaced before end of year as well. They checked it out and it fit the TSB requirements for replacement, they are just waiting for the parts to come in.

I am surprised they aren't going to fix the LR shock as well, since it's always encouraged to replace both struts on an axle at the same time. But it's not required in the TSB so I'll just keep my ear open for LR creaks before my warranty runs out.

Thanks to the forum for posting the TSB - it made it that much easier to get it taken care of!

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:48 pm
by KuroNekko
Speed_Racer wrote:To add to the thread, I am having my RR shock replaced before end of year as well. They checked it out and it fit the TSB requirements for replacement, they are just waiting for the parts to come in.

I am surprised they aren't going to fix the LR shock as well, since it's always encouraged to replace both struts on an axle at the same time. But it's not required in the TSB so I'll just keep my ear open for LR creaks before my warranty runs out.

Thanks to the forum for posting the TSB - it made it that much easier to get it taken care of!
I would really press on the dealer to replace both. As you said, it makes sense to replace both at the same time given the car has some mileage on it (meaning the shocks have wear on them).
Also, I could tell that my right rear was faulty, but not so much the left rear. Maybe between the time I first noticed the issue to the time I took it in, the left side also started leaking. All the creaking noise seemed to come from the right rear.
Regardless, this is a problem due to a design flaw with the rear shock bump stopper on ALL Kizashis meaning it will most likely affect most owners over time. If it happened on one side of your car, it's a matter of time before the other gives out.

Unless you live in an arid climate with little rain or snow, this is a concern for most Kizashi owners. As the TSB details, the problem is caused by water that gets trapped in the bump stopper and enters the shock absorber below it, corroding the shock piston rod and shock components which leads to shock failure.

If it was corroding a safety-related component rather than a comfort one, this would be a recall, not a TSB.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:12 pm
by Ronzuki
In PA shocks ARE considered a safety item. If they are leaking and/or not properly dampening, they fail the state's annual safety inspection process (and should be replaced in pairs). Common sense dictates a poor handling car is unsafe for anyone around it. I'd demand both be replaced. If one's bad, they're both bad. Hit a pothole with a dead shock at 45mph and all of a sudden your in on coming traffic lane in a blink.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:28 pm
by KuroNekko
While I agree that shocks SHOULD be considered safety-related components, the industry appears to not.
Suzuki had a recall over airbag sensor lights for their other models, but keeps this Kizashi shock failure as a TSB.
It's simply because of what these components are categorized under.

Shocks are very important. Failed shocks can cause a wheel to bounce on the spring on rough roads, causing the tire to not have proper contact with the road.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:50 pm
by Speed_Racer
Thanks all for the thoughts. I'll bring it up w/ the service manager when I take it in to get replaced and let you know what he says. They're still waiting on the parts, so I don't have an ETA.

I don't want to have to cover the cost of replacing a defective part if it fails after my 3/36 ends (next August)

Rear shock failed

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:38 am
by CLLee
This is great info guys.
I'll write to the service manager after Christmas regarding this with the TSB attached.

I did had the rear suspension squeak and the dealer fixed it. They took it apart and found that there's some grime. Cleaned it up, lubricated it and told me the parts and seal are still in good condition. This is before the TSB release.

I'll write in saying since it's a known problem and it has happened before, it's bound to happen again and should be fixed under warranty (exp 5/2014).

See how it goes.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:08 am
by murcod
CLLee wrote:This is great info guys.
I'll write to the service manager after Christmas regarding this with the TSB attached.

I did had the rear suspension squeak and the dealer fixed it. They took it apart and found that there's some grime. Cleaned it up, lubricated it and told me the parts and seal are still in good condition. This is before the TSB release.

I'll write in saying since it's a known problem and it has happened before, it's bound to happen again and should be fixed under warranty (exp 5/2014).

See how it goes.

Post on here how you go. Suzuki Australia doesn't seem to bother with any TSB's or the like. Guaranteed we've all got the same rear bump stops on at least the earlier model Kizashi's - sooner or later we'll have the same issues (and Suzuki dealers will deny all knowledge!)

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:20 am
by CLLee
I definitely will... :)

I mentioned this before, it's a new Suzuki dealer that I took the car to for the suspension issue (nearer to home, and the original dealer is a joke); they fixed it for me and provided me with a loan car for 4 days, all at no cost.
Later at my 60k service, I mentioned the TSB and asked if they managed to claim it back from Suzuki Australia, they told me that it was refused because no parts were replaced. They are happy as long as I'm happy, and have switched to them.

I have a pretty good relationship with the service dept there now, and they seem very happy to help and answer my emails promptly. I guess, it all depends on Suzuki HQ.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 7:47 am
by Speed_Racer
A follow up to my repair. I had the RR strut and assembly replaced as per the TSB. I questioned why they wouldn't replace both as now my RR strut has 0 miles and my LR strut has 20,000 miles. They basically said that it wasn't listed in the TSB to replace both on the axle, so they weren't authorized to do it. Sounds like an issue to take up with Suzuki of America vs. the individual dealership. And that's the most I could do since arguing with them wouldn't have done any good.

I'll be keeping my ears peeled for any noise from the LR before my warranty runs out. Other than that...not much I can do as my one concern likely won't get much response out of SoA.

Re: Rear shock failed

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:52 am
by Ronzuki
Speed_Racer wrote:A follow up to my repair. I had the RR strut and assembly replaced as per the TSB. I questioned why they wouldn't replace both as now my RR strut has 0 miles and my LR strut has 20,000 miles. They basically said that it wasn't listed in the TSB to replace both on the axle, so they weren't authorized to do it. Sounds like an issue to take up with Suzuki of America vs. the individual dealership. And that's the most I could do since arguing with them wouldn't have done any good.

I'll be keeping my ears peeled for any noise from the LR before my warranty runs out. Other than that...not much I can do as my one concern likely won't get much response out of SoA.
I suspect that I didn't even have to ask them to do both because it's SOP here that if one is changed, they're done in pairs (front or back).