I've had my '97 (uk) vitara for a few months now, and am just wondering about a few sounds i hear: if they're problems or just general suzuki noises.

First off, when i start the engine and have it in neutral, there seems to be a kind of light grating or droning. When i push the clutch down, this droning disappears, but starts again if i lift the clutch.

Secondly, when driving, sometimes when i change gear i hear a "clank" when i lift the clutch up - normally from 1st -> 2nd and 2nd -> 3rd. It sounds like i've driven over a manhole cover. What i'm doing now is lifting the clutch really slowly when changing in these gears, for about 2- 3 seconds, which might not sound like long but i'm sure it's longer than i should be holding it as i'm probably riding the clutch for too long.

I don't know if its connected to #2, but i also have real problems sometimes getting it into 2nd and 3rd gear - its like i've really gotta push the gearstick in hard and it can take a few attempts, and as a result, i'm riding the clutch again for a good 5 seconds.

Sometimes when i'm driving the vehicle slightly veers over to one side - i read somewhere that this might be the wind, as they're not the most aerodynamic vehicle - is this true? It also pulls to the left when i brake.

Finally, when i go about 40 mph, my gearstick rattles like a lunatic - its not the actual gearstick shaking, it just seems to be the very top ball that you grip, as when i rest my hand on it the rattling stops. The gearstick has a non-standard ball thing at the top, one that the previous owner fitted - is it loose?

Do any of these sound like mechanical problems? Are they slight glitches, or 'typical' vitara characteristics? Can i fix any of them myself?

Thanks.

Sounds to me like your clutch is going south for the winter. You might want to try adjusting your clutch cable first to see if that helps any.

Check the clutch cable, also check the cable adjustment, there should be 1mm of free play at the clutch end, I have found this to be quite critical. If that checks out OK then the clutch assembly probably needs replacing, the noise could well be the thrust bearing.
They are prone to buffeting by wind, you may also have play in the steering (can be adjusted) or a suspension/wheel bearing on its way out. Pulling to the left under braking could be caused by the same problem but is more likely to be a seized brake caliper/slider or leaking rear brake cylinder.
The gearknob is probably not a good fit on the shaft, on the stock knob there is a grub screw at the back that holds it on, you may have to remove the knob and wind some tape around the lever to take up the slack.
All of these sound like the typical sort of problems that you are likely to get on a 9 yr old vehicle. How many miles has the Vit done?
As a side note, please fill in at least the location on your profile.

could be clutch like other said or throwout bearing... mine throwout bearing is bad and does that....check your clutch cable might need to be adjusted, the clank noise could be a u-joint.
I would check clutch cable, and ujoints see if they have play in the u-joints.

Thank you all for your replies.

I've attached a couple of pics i took last month    although since then i've had a pram hood fitted   Its done just under 55k which isn't bad for its age.

Where most of you are mentioning the clutch and ujoints - how much it would it cost for a garage to fix it? Are we talking hundred(s) ? Thousand(s - eek!)?

As for the gear knob, i can't see any screw or fixture for a screw, so i'm a bit  as to how it was put on there - maybe it was a twist-on or something? I'll take a photo of it if it'll help, but it does seem slightly loose, like i can twist the knob to the left or right a bit ( )