Page 377 of 962
Steering Column
Steering wheel slip ring
Apply SUZUKI SUPER GREASE A
(99000-25010) all around slip ring
IIbefore fining it. , 1
Steering column seal
\I
Steering column bolt
tightening torqueI
When installing the steering column,
1.
make sure to fit seal rubber in the
rubber
1J
Steering column nut
tightening torque
11 - 17N.m
1.1 - 1.7 kg-m
(8.0 - 12.0 lb-ft)
Fig. 18-30
position as illustrated
18-14
Page 378 of 962
Steering Lower Shaft and Joint
Universal joint
rubber joint bolt
Steering rubberir:..,
Fig. 18-31
11.0-18.0lb-ft
18-15
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Steering Handwheel
Two requirements must be met, among others,
in installing and setting steering wheel: 1) check
to be sure that handwheel play meets specifica-
tion, and 2) set it in such a way that, with front
wheels in straightforward state, its two outer
spokes are horizontal.
fig. 18-32
Tie Rod and Tie Rod End
1) Install tie rod end to tie rod, aligning each
lock nut to respective marks scribed before
disassembly.
i25 3
1.Tie rod
2.Turnbackle3. Tie rod end
4.Lock nut5. Marking to be made
fig. 18-33
2) Connect tie rod end to knuckle and tie rod
to drag rod. Tighten castle nut until holes for
split pin are aligned, but only within specified
torque.
3) Bend split pin.
4) Inspect for proper toe (Refer to 18-8 WHEEL
ALIGNMENT).
5) After confirming proper toe, tighten tie rod
end lock nuts to specified torque.
18-8. WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Front alignment refers to the angular relation-
ship between the front wheels, the front
suspension attaching parts and the ground.
Generally, the only adjustment required for
front alignment is toe setting. Camber and
caster can’t be adjusted. Therefore, should
camber or caster be out of specification due to
the damage caused by hazardous road conditions
or collision, whether the damage is in chassis
frame (body) or in suspension should be deter-
mined and damaged body should be repaired or
damaged suspension should be replaced.
Toe Setting
Toe is the turning in or out of the front wheels.
The purpose of a toe specification is to ensure
parallel rolling of the front wheels (Excessive
toe-in or toe-out may increase tire wear).
Amount of toe can be obtained by subtracting
“A” from “B” as shown in figure and therefore
is given in mm (in.).
WHEEL TOE-IN“6” - “A” = Toe-in
TOP VIEW
fig. 18-34
18-16
Page 380 of 962

Camber
Camber is the tilting of the front wheels from
the vertical, as viewed from the front of the car.
When the wheels tilt outward at the top, the
camber is positive. When the wheels tilt inward
at the top, the camber is negative. The amount
of tilt is measured in degrees.
CENTER LINEOF yH,EEL
Fig. 18-35
CAMBER ANGLE
‘POSITIVE
CAMBER
Toe Adjustment
1. Before making any adjustment affecting toe
setting, the following checks and inspections
should be made to insure correctness of
alignment readingsand alignment adjustments:
1) Check all tires for proper inflation pressures
and approximately the same tread wear.
2) Check steering and suspension system for
looseness. If excessive looseness is noted, it
must be corrected before adjusting.
3) Check for run-out of wheels and tires.
4)Consideration must be given to excess loads,
such as tool boxes. If this excess load is
normally carried in the car, it should remain
in the car during alignment checks.
5) Consider condition of the equipment being
used to check alignment and follow manufac-
ture’s instructions.
6) Regardless of equipment used to check
alignment, the car must be on a level surface
both fore and aft and transversely.
7) Check to be sure that front wheels are set in
straightforward driving position.
2. Toe is adjusted by changing tie rod length.
Loosen tie rod end lock nuts first and then
rotate turnbuckle @ to align toe-in to specifi-
cation. At this time, thread length “A” and
“B” should be equal. After adjustment,
tighten lock nuts to specified torque.
@ Toe-in gauge
Fig. 18-36
Camber and Caster Adjustment
Should camber or caster be found out of specifi-
cations upon inspection, locate its cause first. If
it is in damaged, loose, bent, dented or worn
suspension parts, they should be replaced. If it is
in chassis frame (car body), repair it so as to
attain specifications.
To prevent possible incorrect reading of camber
or caster, car front end must be moved up and
down a few times before inspection.
Reference Information:
SIDE SLIP:
For inspecting front wheel side slip with side slip
tester:
Side slip limit:Less than 3 mm/m
(Less than 0.118 in/3 ft)
If side slip exceeds this limit, toe-in or front
wheel alignment may not be correct.
18-17
Page 381 of 962

189. MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Steering Handwheel Play
The wheel play is proper if it is anywhere
between 10 and 30 mm (0.4 and 1.2 in.). An
unusually large play means that the ball-and-
socket joints are loose or that the wear in the
steering gear box is excessively large.
Replacement of the worn joint will provide a
proper handwheel play.
If steering handwheel play is excessive though
no each joint of steering system rattles, adjust
worm shaft starting torque of steering gear box
by referring to item of “Adjustment of worm
shaft starting torque.”
Fig. 18-37
Steering Shaft Joint
Check universal joint of the steering shaft for
rattle and damage, If rattle and damage is found,
replace defective part with a new one.
0
Steering Rubber joint
Inspect rubber joint for evidence of crack or
breakage, and make sure that its bolts are tight.
Fig. 18-39
Steering Link & Tie Rod
Inspect steering link and tie rod for bend and
rattle where they are joined. Inspect ball joint
boots in steering system for leaks, detachment,
tear or other damage. If one of such malcondi-
tions is found, replace defective part with a new
one.
Check the following bolts and nuts ( @ - 0 )
for tightness and retighten them as necessary.
Refer to “RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECI-
FICATIONS” in this section for tightening
torque.
a@ Tie rod end locknut
(1) Steering shaft nut
Steering shaft jointflange bolt 84 nut
\,
@ Steering rubberjoint bolt & nut
(4) Steering gearbox bolt & n
Fig. 18-38
Fig. 18-40
18-18
Page 382 of 962

Steering Gear Box
Check steering gear box for evidence of oil
leakage. If leakage is found, repair or replace
and then refill specified oil to specified level.
Refer to“18-5 INSPECTION OF COMPO-
NENT” in this section for steering gear box oil.
Tightening torque
for wheel nuts
50-80 N.m
5.0 - 8.0 kg-m
(36.5 - 57.5 lb-ft)
Fig. 18-42
Fig. 18-41
Tires[Tire wear indicator]
When replacement is necessary, the original
equipment type tire should be used. Refer to
Tire Placard.
Check wear indicator, and replace tire when its
wear is the same level as the indicator.
Replacement tires should be of the same size,
load range and construction as those originally
on the car. Use of any other size or type tire
may affect ride, handling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, vehicle ground clearance and tire or
snow chain clearance to body and chassis.
NOTE:
NOTE:
Do not mix different types of tires on the same
car such as radial, bias and bias-belted tires
except in emergencies, because car handling may
be seriously affected and may result in loss of
control.
The mud & snow tire has a platform ttr indicate
wear in addition to tire tread wear indicator.
It shows up when 50% of tire tread is worn out.
When driving on muddy or snowy roads, check
if its wear is the same level as the platform and
if it does, replace the tire.
It is recommended that new tires be installed in
pairs on the same axle. If necessary to replace
only one tire, it should be paired with the tire
having the most tread, to equalize braking
traction.
[Inspection]
l Check tires for uneven or excessive wear, or
damage. If defective, replace.
l Check inflating pressure of each tire and,
as necessary, adjust pressure to specification.
l Check wheels for dent, crack or other damage.
l Check wheel nuts for tightness.
18-19
Page 383 of 962
![SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 1987 Service Repair Manual Fig. 18-43 @ Tire tread wear indicator
@ Wear indicating platform
[ Inflation of tires]
l Tire inflation pressures are listed on the
Tire Placard at driver’s side of instrument
panel.
l Tire inflati SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 1987 Service Repair Manual Fig. 18-43 @ Tire tread wear indicator
@ Wear indicating platform
[ Inflation of tires]
l Tire inflation pressures are listed on the
Tire Placard at driver’s side of instrument
panel.
l Tire inflati](/manual-img/20/57437/w960_57437-382.png)
Fig. 18-43 @ Tire tread wear indicator
@ Wear indicating platform
[ Inflation of tires]
l Tire inflation pressures are listed on the
Tire Placard at driver’s side of instrument
panel.
l Tire inflation pressures should be checked
(including spare tire) at least monthly and
when significantly changing the load in the
car.
l Always check tire inflation pressures when
tires are “cold”.
l Always use tire pressure gauge when checking
inflation pressure.
l Be sure to reinstall tire inflation valve caps to
prevent dirt and moisture from getting into
valve core, as they may cause air leakage.
l If air loss occurs while driving, do not drive
on the deflated tire more than is needed to
stop safety. Driving even a short distance on a
deflated tire can damage a tire and wheel
beyond repair.
NOTE:
Before installing wheels, remove any build-up of
corrosion on the wheel mounting surface and
brake drum or disc mounting surface by scraping
and wire brushing. Installing wheels without
good metal-to-metal contact at the mounting
surfaces can cause wheel nuts to loosen, which
can later allow a wheel to come off while the
car is moving.
RADIAL TIRES
.i II
9T
\
I
4-wheels
Fig. 18-44
fT
u
[I
5-wheels
[Wheels]
Wheels must be replaced if they are bent, dented,
have excessive lateral or radial runout, leak air
through welds, have elongated bolt holes, if
lug nuts won’t stay tight, or if they are heavily
rusted. Wheels with greater runout than shown
in below figure may cause objectional vibrations.
Replacement wheels must be equivalent to the
original equipment wheels in load capacity,
diameter,rim width, offset and mounting
configuration. A wheel of improper size or type
may affect wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, car ground
clearance and tire clearance to the body and
chassis.
[Tire rotation]
“Rotate” tires at the regular intervals in order to
equalize tire wear and thereby make full use of
each tire. Refer to below figure for the scheme
of rotation. Adherence to this scheme prolongs
tire life.
18-20
Page 384 of 962

/I
d-
Limitl.Mmm(0.047 in)
1.20 mm(0.047 in 1
*TOTAL INDICATOR READINGIGNORE INDICATOR “JUMPS”DUE TO WELD SEAMS, PAINTRUNS, SCRATCHES, ETC.
Fig. 18-45
Wheel repairs that use welding, heating, or peen-
ing are not approved. All damaged wheels should
be replaced.
[Tire demounting and mounting]
Use a ‘tire changing machine to mount or de-
mount tires. Follow the equipment manufac-
ture’s instructions. Do not use hand tools or tire
irons alone to change tires as they may damage
the tire beads or wheel rim.
Rim bead seats should be cleaned with a wire
brush or coarse steel wool to remove lubricants,
old rubber and light rust. Before mounting or
demounting a tire, the bead area should be
well lubricated with an approved tire lubricant.
After mounting, inflate to 220kPa (32 psi) so
that beads are completely seated.
WARNING:
Do not stand over tire when inflating. Bead
may break when bead snaps over rim’s
safety hump and cause serious personal
injury.
Do not exceed 240kPa (35 psi) pressure
when inflating. If 220kPa (32 psi) pressure
will not seat beads, deflate, re-lubricate and
reinflate. Over inflation may cause the bead
to break and cause serious personal injury.1
Inflate to specified pressure.
[Tire repair]
There are many different materials and techni-
ques on the market to repair tires. As not all of
these work on all types of tires, tire manufactu-
rers have published detailed instructions on how
and when to repair tires. These instructions can
be obtained from the tire manufacturer.
18-21