Parts for your 2020 Suzuki Splash-Driveshafts

2020 Suzuki Splash driveshafts — what they do and how to look after them

Driveshafts are absolutely relevant on the 2020 Suzuki Splash. Technical sources including the Suzuki Splash/Ritz (K12B) workshop manual (Driveline/Axle – Front Drive Shaft), the Suzuki Electronic Parts Catalogue listing left and right front drive shaft assemblies, and equivalent Opel/Vauxhall Agila B (the Splash’s twin) service literature all document the vehicle’s front‑wheel‑drive layout with a pair of constant velocity (CV) driveshafts linking the transaxle to the front hubs. So yes — this Splash runs front driveshafts as standard kit.

In this little hatch, the purpose of the driveshafts is straightforward: they transfer engine torque from the gearbox to the front wheels while allowing for steering angle and suspension travel. Each shaft carries an inner and outer CV joint packed with high‑moly grease and sealed by rubber boots. That combo keeps the drive butter‑smooth through tight turns, rough city streets, and open‑road cruising across Aussie and Kiwi kilometres.

As part of routine servicing, driveshaft care is mostly about inspection and catching wear early. CV boots should be checked for cracks, splits, or loose clamps at every service interval. Any grease thrown around the inside of a wheel or along the underbody is a red flag. If a boot is torn but the joint hasn’t run dry or ingested grit, a new boot and fresh grease can save the shaft. Leave it too long and the joint will pit, click on turns, and the whole shaft will be up for replacement.

When replacement time rolls around, it pays to match the correct shaft for the Splash’s engine and ABS tone ring spec, use a new hub nut, and tighten all fasteners to the workshop manual torque settings. While the front end is apart, a quick once‑over of the wheel bearings, lower ball joints, and transaxle seals is smart preventative maintenance. Many workshops prefer complete new or remanufactured shafts over piecemeal joint swaps, as the labour difference is small and the result is more dependable for daily duty.

Owners can keep an ear out for tell‑tales and ask their tech to check the following during scheduled services:

• Clicking or popping on full lock, especially when accelerating.
• Shudder or vibration under load at suburban speeds.
• Grease spray around the inner rim or under the guards.
• Perished, cracked, or oily CV boots and loose boot clamps.

Look after the boots and grease, and the Splash’s driveshafts usually clock plenty of drama‑free kilometres.

Popular questions about 2020 Suzuki Splash driveshafts

What are common signs of a worn driveshaft on a Splash?
Typical signs include clicking on tight turns (outer CV joint wear), shudder under acceleration, and grease flung onto the inside of the front wheels. A torn or oily CV boot is another giveaway that the joint may soon follow.

How often should the CV boots be checked?
Boots should be inspected at every routine service or roughly every 10,000–15,000 km. In hotter Aussie summers or on gravelly Kiwi back roads, rubber ages quicker, so regular checks prevent a cheap boot job turning into a full driveshaft replacement.

Is it better to replace the whole driveshaft or just the joint?
If caught early with only a damaged boot, a reboot and fresh grease is fine. Once a CV joint is noisy or gritty, most workshops recommend a complete shaft assembly. It’s quicker, typically comes with new joints and boots, and helps ensure long‑term reliability.