Parts for your 2017 Suzuki Splash-Wheel hubs

2017 Suzuki Splash wheel hubs — what they do, and how to look after them

Technical sources confirm the 2017 Suzuki Splash (including late-registered or Ritz-based variants) is fitted with wheel hubs. The Suzuki workshop/service literature for the Splash/Agila B platform details front and rear hub-and-bearing units, and Suzuki’s electronic parts catalogues list complete hub/bearing assemblies for both axles. Major bearing catalogues (e.g., SKF, FAG/INA) also publish application listings for Suzuki Splash/Ritz hub-bearing kits covering the 2008–2017 production window. On that basis, wheel hubs are absolutely relevant to this vehicle.

The Splash’s wheel hubs are the sturdy centrepieces that the wheels bolt to and spin around. Up front, the hubs are a sealed hub-and-bearing unit that slides over the driveshafts and sits inside the steering knuckle. Down the back, the hub integrates with the brake drum (or a separate hub on some trims), with a sealed bearing and an ABS encoder ring. Because they’re sealed, there’s no greasing or rebuilding, when a bearing wears, the whole hub unit is replaced.

What’s their job? Simple: keep the wheels running true and quiet while coping with cornering and braking loads. A healthy hub keeps tyre wear even, braking smooth, and ABS/ESC happy. A crook hub makes itself known with a growl that rises with road speed, a rumble on sweeping bends, or vague steering and uneven tyre wear. If the ABS encoder on the hub gets damaged, you can even get an ABS light and odd low‑speed pulsing.

Servicing advice for a 2017 Splash is pretty straightforward. During routine services or WOF/RWC checks, it’s smart to:

• Spin each wheel and listen for humming or roughness, check for play at 12 and 6 o’clock.
• Inspect wheel studs and the hub face for rust ridges that can cause wheel wobble.
• Torque wheel nuts properly — over-tightening can shorten bearing life.

If a hub is noisy or loose, replacement is the go. Quality OEM-equivalent hubs are the best bet for long life. The job involves removing the caliper and disc (front) or drum (rear), unbolting the hub unit, cleaning the mating faces, and refitting with fresh hardware where specified. The axle/hub nut preload on the front is critical — always follow the factory torque procedure and replace any single-use nuts. After fitting, a quick road test to check for noise and correct ABS operation is a must. Many owners replace hubs one side at a time, but on higher‑kilometre cars that see rough roads, doing both sides on the same axle can save another visit later.

With tidy roads and correctly torqued wheels, Splash hubs often last well beyond 120,000–180,000 km. If the car tows, hits floods or potholes, or runs heavy wheels and tyres, expect earlier attention. Keeping tyres inflated, wheels balanced, and alignment in spec helps hubs live a longer, quieter life.

Popular questions about 2017 Suzuki Splash wheel hubs

How can someone tell if a Splash hub bearing is failing?

Most drivers notice a low growl that gets louder with speed, often changing on gentle cornering. There can also be vague steering, uneven tyre wear, or an ABS light if the encoder in the hub is damaged. Jacking the car and checking for play or roughness when spinning the wheel is a simple workshop check.

Do both front hubs need replacing at the same time?

Not strictly, but if one has failed and the car’s done big kilometres, the other side may not be far behind. Replacing in pairs can save time and a second alignment visit, though many owners replace only the noisy side first and monitor the other.

How long do wheel hubs usually last on a Splash?

With typical Aussie and Kiwi driving, hubs often see 120,000–180,000 km or more. Harsh roads, oversized wheels, frequent kerb knocks, or over‑torqued wheel nuts can shorten that. Regular checks and correct torque help extend their lifespan.