Parts for your 2017 Suzuki Splash-Universal joints

2017 Suzuki Splash universal joints: are they used, and do you need them?

Short answer: a 2017 Suzuki Splash doesn’t use driveline universal joints. Technical sources including the Suzuki Splash/Ritz workshop manual and parts catalogue, plus the Opel/Vauxhall Agila B service information (the Splash’s twin), show a front‑wheel‑drive layout with two front half‑shafts that use constant velocity (CV) joints—inner tripod/tulip and outer Rzeppa types—and no propeller shaft. Universal joints are typically found on longitudinal rear‑ or all‑wheel‑drive prop shafts, not on compact FWD hatches like the Splash. General driveline texts (e.g., Bosch Automotive Handbook and SAE driveline fundamentals) also note that CV joints are required for constant rotational speed at large steering angles, whereas single Cardan universal joints introduce speed fluctuation.

Why universal joints aren’t used here comes down to function and packaging. The Splash drives its front wheels and needs smooth torque delivery while the wheels steer and move with suspension travel. CV joints maintain constant velocity through big angles, which keeps steering feel tidy and noise, vibration and harshness down. Universal joints, unless used in double‑Cardan pairs and at matched angles, create cyclic speed variation that would be felt through the wheel and heard as vibration—exactly what a city hatch is designed to avoid. With no rear differential or prop shaft on the Splash, there’s simply no place for a traditional driveline U‑joint.

There is one small caveat: like most modern cars, the Splash’s steering intermediate shaft may use a small universal joint. That’s a steering component, not a driveline prop‑shaft joint. It’s not a scheduled service item, it’s replaced if it develops play, binding, or a clunk when turning the wheel off‑centre. For routine servicing on a 2017 Splash, the focus should be on inspecting CV boots for splits or grease fling, checking for clicking on full lock (a classic outer CV symptom), and ensuring axle nut torque is set correctly after any front hub or brake work. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions—lots of stop‑start, tight parking and the odd pothole—these CV checks are far more relevant than anything to do with universal joints.

• What to check instead of U‑joints: CV boots and clamps, grease leaks, clicking on full lock, vibration under acceleration, and steering intermediate shaft play.

FAQs

Does the 2017 Suzuki Splash have universal joints in the driveline?
No. The Splash is front‑wheel drive and uses CV joints on its front half‑shafts. There’s no rear differential or prop shaft, so the traditional prop‑shaft universal joints you’d find on utes or rear‑drive cars aren’t fitted.

What joints does the Splash use on the front axles?
It uses inner tripod (tulip) CV joints and outer Rzeppa CV joints. These handle large steering angles and suspension movement while keeping rotational speed constant, which improves refinement and durability.

Is there any universal joint on the Splash at all?
Possibly in the steering intermediate shaft. That’s a small U‑joint used to connect the steering column to the rack. It’s not a regular service item, replace it only if there’s noticeable play, binding, or a clunk through the wheel.