Suzuki Swift Sport 2018, more precise shifting with bushing replacement

In these first months of using the new 2018 Swift Sport, we have been able to appreciate its strong dynamic qualities and the generous output of the powerful turbocharged 1.4 Boosterjet engine, but we have also been able to identify some aspects that could definitely be improved, such as the operation of its six-speed manual transmission.

Let's clarify the situation right away, for 'normal' use of the gearbox, you will never have any problems and feel no need to intervene to improve its speed and accuracy. But we are well aware that many of the users who have chosen to buy the new Swift Sport have a considerable sporty disposition and want to enjoy its performance to the fullest, possibly enhancing it even with small but effective tuning.

We have to admit that some times, in the most sporty driving, we found ourselves a little bit in trouble with the manual transmission of the little Suzuki pest. With our 2018 Swift Sport, we have reached a mileage of 4500 km, so the transmission should have passed even the inevitable initial break-in phase, despite this, in some situations, we continue to register a bit of Roughness of the transmission and some stumbling.

What to IMPROVE about Suzuki Swift Sport's gearbox

The problem occurs especially in fast shifts between second and third, both in the second-third transition under acceleration and when downshifting third-second. In these situations we notice, of times, a certain 'resistance' in the insertion of the desired gear, this may disturb a bit the 'purists' of sports driving and those who plan to take the new Swift Sport to the track.

We then compared ourselves with the other guys in our community (we are now a group of about 35 owners of the new Swift Sport) and discovered that we were not the only ones who wished for a more accurate and faster gearbox In engagement during sports driving.

It's a bit like the transmission is not quite on the same level as the performance that Suzuki Swift Sport can deliver, in driving on the limit, in all other respects.

The good news is. our community of Swift Sport owners is very active and passionate, and within the group there are already those who have successfully intervened to improve the accuracy of the gearbox.

This is an intervention of soft tuning which provides for the Replacement of the original gearbox basket bushings.

Why replace the gearbox basket bushings?

Fair question, very simple answer: because the original gearbox basket bushings are made of rubber and thus allow some elasticity and flexing of the entire basket, which unfortunately penalizes the accuracy of the gearbox itself.

Basically what happens is that the moment you go to operate the shift lever very quickly (typical of sports driving), the original bushings flex and absorb some of the movement we are going to impart to the lever, on the other hand, a fair improvement in the situation was found when going to stiffen the entire basket anchorage system.

How to improve the gearbox of Suzuki Swift Sport 2018?

The system to improve gear accuracy is very simple and does not require any special economic or time investment to apply.

The solution is given by simple Metal bushings to be replaced instead of the original rubber ones.

For the selection of these bushings, it is possible to resort to the purchase of some Commercially available aluminum or ergal bushing kits, such as the following:

These bushings are manufactured by the Japanese company TM-Square and are available (at least for now) only on Amazon Japan at this link.

For do-it-yourselfers, the alternative solution is to. Have them made directly by their own turner of trust, and to meet the needs of all passionate owners of the 2018 Swift Sport, we give below the measurements, in millimeters, with which to have them made.

Note that since these are simple bushings, some tolerance in measurements is still allowed.

The final result of the work to be done will look like the one shown in the photograph below, you can see the gearbox basket (stripped of the center tunnel) and the new metal bushings, in this case blue, that have been fitted.

But the surprises do not end there!

One of our generous Swift community users has made a step-by-step guide with photographs to explain in detail how to disassemble the Swift Sport's center tunnel and replace the gearbox basket bushings.

Would you like to thank him in person or ask him questions?
Would you like to be part of our community of Swift Sport owners?

Very good--you don't pay anything and you exchange a lot of information every day, if you are interested register online and send us your phone number to info@suzukisport.it To be included in the WhatsApp group!

Guide to replacing gearbox basket bushings

Center tunnel disassembly instructions for replacing original gearbox basket bushings on 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport.

Equipment needed:

• Medium-sized slotted screwdriver
• 12mm socket wrench

Step 1
To begin removal of the center tunnel, pull firmly on its plastic base to the right of the accelerator pedal and do the same on the opposite side.

Step 2
From lying down, look inside the center console to remove the pins that hold the upper red frame in place.

Step 3
Remove the beverage tray by inserting the screwdriver all the way into the highlighted holes, then prying from the inside out.

Step 4
Having reached this point, unscrew the screws located in front of the gearshift and the plastic screws accessible from the rear seats.

Step 5
Lift the leather cover of the shift rod by pulling it upward.

Step 6
From the back seats lie down, raise the center tunnel in the back side and remove the heated seat connectors by pressing the button on them.

Step 7
Remove The glove box under the handbrake by pushing upward (again from under the rear side center console).

Step 8
Remove the center tunnel by sliding it upward.

Step 9
Lift up the left shift control rod by levering with a screwdriver.

Step 10
Remove the bolts holding the shift basket and replace the bushings with modified ones.

Step 11
Repeat all steps in reverse to reassemble the center tunnel and start enjoying more precise shifting.