Piston Slap: Finding Suzuki parts at the end of days?

Michael writes:

What do you do when there are no real dealers anymore? I bought a 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Premium, automatic transmission) but Suzuki has abandoned the U.S. [automotive] market. There’s no chance for a goodwill gesture like you previously mentioned.

At 77,500 miles my Grand Vitara needs a rear differential, and the part cannot be found. The last place I called was an old dealer which said none have been in the states for seven years … but the seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty just ran out two years ago?

It seems Suzuki has stopped making any parts for my car. The shop also looked for a used one, and there are none.

Sajeev answers: 

I’d like to think I know a thing or two about end-of-days, unobtainium parts hunting for vehicles that no longer have factory or aftermarket support. I wouldn’t be surprised if Suzuki shipped its cache of replacement warranty parts out of the U.S., as this was never a large market for its cars. Presumably, this allows the international markets to soak the parts into their inventory, where they are truly needed?

That notion has merit, but the used differential quandary your mechanic experienced is perplexing. So let’s address this issue in a place-by-place analysis of where you need to look for Suzuki parts for the foreseeable future.

1. Suzuki Auto has a website that shows there are still some dealerships around the country. I would call another dealer (dealers?) using this website and seek confirmation on the differential’s availability.
2. Use the Row52 website (or app) to monitor when a comparable Grand Vitara lands in a junkyard across the nation … looks like there are a few good candidates on there right now! The problem will be finding a location close to you, or close to someone you trust to pull the part for you. This is when becoming an active member on Suzuki forums and Facebook groups becomes invaluable.
3. Check with LKQ on a regular basis for the same reason as #2. It looks like they have a differential for a manual transmission example in stock! What are the odds you can use that one and your current differential to make one good part?
4. Buy a differential from eBay. Used parts for globally-sourced vehicles are usually available there when searching internationally. Some vendors will work hard to ensure it will interchange with yours, all you need to do is find an auction and ask them for help.
5. Differentials aside, RockAuto has a ton of relevant parts, and will likely be your go-to search destination in the future.

I admit that most of this information targets a long-term answer to your short-term question. I also know this is a metric ton of work just for one part: This is one of the main reasons why people prefer to buy new vehicles and let someone else deal with parts availability issues on a used vehicle.

For the differential, option #3 is the easiest answer, provided you can wait for LKQ to get the right spec of Grand Vitara in inventory. Or just buy whatever LKQ currently has and Frankenstein a good part from its part and what’s currently on your vehicle? Or maybe option #4 and hunt for a trustworthy vendor in a foreign land? What say you, Hagerty Community?

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