Parts for your 1990 Suzuki Jimny-Cv joint

1990 Suzuki Jimny CV joint — purpose, care and when to replace

Yes, the 1990 Suzuki Jimny (SJ413/Sierra/Samurai/JA11) uses constant-velocity joints on the front axle. Technical sources including the Suzuki SJ413/Samurai Service Manual (1980s–1990s editions), the Suzuki Electronic Parts Catalogue for SJ413/JA11, and the Haynes Suzuki SJ410 & SJ413 manual all show a Birfield-type CV joint at each front steering knuckle. These CVs allow drive to be transmitted while the wheels steer, the rear axle does not use CV joints.

On this live-axle Jimny, the Birfield CV sits inside the swivel/steering knuckle rather than outboard with a concertina “CV boot” like a front-wheel-drive car. The joint is packed with moly CV grease and protected by the knuckle wiper seal and inner axle oil seal. When the free-wheeling hubs are locked and 4WD is engaged, those CVs do the hard yakka of turning and driving the front wheels under load.

As part of normal servicing, it’s smart to inspect the front swivel hubs and CVs. A proper swivel-hub service includes checking the knuckle wiper seals for weeping, confirming the inner axle oil seals aren’t letting diff oil contaminate the grease, and repacking the Birfields with a quality NLGI #2 molybdenum-disulphide CV grease. Vehicles that see creek crossings, beach work, or lots of mud in Aus/NZ conditions benefit from shorter service intervals, as water ingress will turn the grease into a grey slurry and shorten CV life.

Typical signs the Jimny’s front CVs need attention include:

• Clicking or clacking on full lock when accelerating (more obvious with hubs locked)
• Judder or vibration under load in 4WD
• Grease flung around the knuckle or black, oily seepage at the wiper seal

Replacement options depend on wear. Light pitting or surface galling might be serviceable with a clean and repack, but a joint that clicks under power is usually on the way out. Many workshops replace the Birfield with a complete front axle shaft/CV assembly to save time. Always renew the knuckle wiper/seal kit and inner axle oil seals while you’re there, and set the kingpin bearing preload to spec from the factory manual. Use new hub gaskets, correct wheel bearing preload, and the specified greases and thread sealants, torque values should be taken from the Suzuki service manual.

Treat the Birfields well and they’ll handle plenty of outback or back-country kilometres without drama.

Popular questions

Does the 1990 Jimny actually have CV joints?
Yes. The front axle uses Birfield-type CV joints inside the steering knuckles, as documented in the Suzuki SJ413/Samurai service literature and parts catalogues. The rear axle does not use CVs.

How often should the Jimny’s front CVs be serviced?
For mixed road use, inspect during major services and repack during a swivel-hub service at sensible intervals. If it sees water crossings, mud, or sand, shorten the interval—any sign of milky/grey grease or leaking knuckle seals means it’s time for a clean, new seals, and a fresh moly CV grease pack.

Is it safe to keep driving if a front CV is clicking?
Not ideal. Clicking under load on lock suggests wear. It may keep going for a while, but failure can leave the vehicle without drive on that side. Plan a replacement soon and avoid harsh steering loads until it’s fixed.