Deep mud and deep water terrain

The content of any article might be expanded / improved in the future - revisit it sometimes.
Seen a mistake? Know something that isn't written? Edit and change this article yourself!
Some images in the article (if present) can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Introduction

Although all Jimnys can be used for deep water wading or plowing through mud bogs if you install transmission breathers and the snorkel, bear in mind that all Jimnys have relatively poorly designed front wheel steering knuckles, which are prone to water/mud ingress.

Just keep in mind this generic off-roading formula: mud = maintenance²

It's even simpler than e = m*c² ....

Some technical notes

• A steering knuckle contains kingpin bearings, a constant velocity joint, and two seals - one towards the axle and one towards the wheel hub.
• The axle contains the halfshaft and the differential.
• The wheel hub assembly contains the wheel bearing, the vacuum chambers for the front wheel hubs, etc.

• Water (especially dirty water) and mud grind the kingpin bearings, CV joints, seals, etc.

• Worn kingpin bearings are the main cause of notorious "Death wobble" issue, which plagues all Jimnys worse than any other vehicle model.

• Replacement OEM CV joints for Jimnys 3 are available from Suzuki only together pre-assembled with halfshaft at a horrendously high price.
  • It is currently not known what Suzuki offers as replacement for broken CV joints on Jimnys 4.
• Aftermarket replacement CV joints for Jimnys 3 are produced only by a handful of manufacturers.
• Jimnys 3 made after 2005 typically have different CV joints compared to older Jimnys 3, and those CV joints are (as far as it is known) made by only two aftermarket manufacturers, Herth+Buss and NKN.
  • Good luck obtaining them!

Solutions

• It is very hard to prevent water/mud ingress in the steering knuckles.
• Use of some hardcore sticky waterproof grease on the kingpin bearings and in the CV joint can help to deter water and mud for a while, but that's it.

• There is not much more that can be done to defend the steering knuckles against water and mud.

Conclusion

When a Jimny (or any vehicle for that matter) is in deep mud or (especially) in deep water, so is your wallet

• Based on the facts, it's best to keep Jimny away from mud bogs and deep water.

• If you want to get really filthy on a regular basis, use a Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen, Nissan Patrol, or something else that was 3-6x more expensive than a Jimny when it was new.
  • Mud & water do take a toll on those vehicles too.

• Otherwise, be ready to become a trained expert at working on Jimny's front wheel assembly.

Rolling any vehicle in a mud pit like this might cost you the same as rolling in a champagne pit!

---

Page last edited on 17/01/2021 by user Bosanek