YH4
GRAND
VITARA
0B-24 MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
FINAL INSPECTION
Seats
Check that seat slides smoothly and locks securely at
any position. Also check that reclining mechanism of
front seat back allows it to be locked at any angle.
Seat Belt
Inspect belt system including webbing, buckles, latch
plates, retractors and anchors for damage or wear.
If ªREPLACE BELTº label on front seat belt is visible,
replace belt.
Check that seat belt is securely locked.
Battery Electrolyte Level Check
Check that the electrolyte level of all battery cells is
between the upper and lower level lines on the case.
If battery is equipped with built-in indicator, check bat-
tery condition by the indicator.
Accelerator Pedal Operation
Check that pedal operates smoothly without getting
caught or interfered by and other part.
Engine Start
Check engine start for readiness.
On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each select lever position. The starting mo-
tor should crank only in ªPº (Park) or ªNº (Neutral).
On manual transmission vehicles, place the shift le-
ver in ªNeutral,º depress clutch pedal fully and try to
start.
Exhaust System Check
Check for leakage, cracks or loose supports.
Clutch (For Manual transmission)
Check for the following:
Clutch is completely released when depressing
clutch pedal.
No slipping clutch occurs when releasing pedal and
accelerating.
Clutch itself is free from any abnormal condition.
Gearshift or Select Lever (Transmission)
Check gear shift or select lever for smooth shifting to
all positions and for good performance of transmis-
sion in any position.
With automatic transmission equipped vehicle, also
check that shift indicator indicates properly according
to which position select lever is shifted to.
With automatic transmission equipped vehicle, make
sure that vehicle is at complete stop when shifting se-
lect lever to ªPº range position and release all brakes.
Brake
[Foot brake]
Check the following:
that brake pedal has proper travel,
that brake works properly,
that it is free from noise,
that braking force is applied equally on all wheels,
and that brake do not drag.
[Parking brake]
Check that lever has proper travel.
WARNING:
With vehicle parked on a fairly steep slope,
make sure nothing is in the way downhill to
avoid any personal injury or property damage.
Be prepared to apply regular brake quickly
even if vehicle should start to move.
Check to ensure that parking brake is fully effective
when the vehicle is stopped on the safe slope and
brake lever is pulled all the way.
WARNING:
When carrying out road tests, select a safe
place where no man or no running vehicle is
seen so as to prevent any accident.
WARNING:
Before performing the following check, be
sure to have enough room around the vehicle.
Then, firmly apply both the parking brake and
the regular brakes. Do not use the accelerator
pedal. If the engine starts, be ready to turn off
the ignition promptly. Take these precautions
because the vehicle could move without warn-
ing and possibly cause personal injury or
property damage.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION 0B-25
Steering
Check to ensure that steering wheel is free from in-
stability, or abnormally heavy feeling.
Check that the vehicle does not wander or pull to
one side.
Engine
Check that engine responds readily at all speeds.
Check that engine is free from abnormal noise and
abnormal vibration.
Body, Wheels and Power Transmitting System
Check that body, wheels and power transmitting sys-
tem are free from abnormal noise and abnormal
vibration or any other abnormal condition.
Meters and Gauge
Check that speedometer, odometer, fuel meter, tem-
perature gauge, etc. are operating accurately.
Lights
Check that all lights operate properly.
Windshield Defroster
Periodically check that air comes out from defroster
outlet when operating heater or air conditioning.
Set fan switch lever to ªHIº position for this check.
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
Engine oilSG, SH or SJ (Refer to engine oil viscosity chart in item 1-4)
Engine coolant (Ethylene glycol
base coolant)ªAntifreeze / Anticorrosion coolantº
Brake fluidDOT 3
Manual transmission oilRefer to Section 7A or 7A1Transfer oilRefer to Section 7A or 7A1.
Differential oil (front & rear)Refer to Section 7E or 7F.
Automatic transmission fluid and
Power steering fluidRefer to Section 3B1 or 7B1.
Door hingesEngine oil or water resistance chassis greaseHood latch assemblyEngine oil or water resistance chassis grease
Key lock cylinderSpray lubricant
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-1
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIRE DIAGNOSIS3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Irregular and / or Premature Wear 3-6. . . . . . .
Wear Indicator 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radial Tire Waddle 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radial Tire Lead 3-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
DIAGNOSIS3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT END ALIGNMENT3A-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
POWER STEERING SYSTEM3B1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN3C1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT SUSPENSION3D-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REAR SUSPENSION3E-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHEELS AND TIRES3F-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS
Since the problems in steering, suspension, wheels and tires involve several systems, they must all be considered
when diagnosing a complaint. To avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first.
Proceed with the following preliminary inspections and correct any defects which are found.
1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for loose or damaged parts.
3) Spin front wheel. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loose and / or rough wheel bear-
ings.
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Vehicle Pulls (Leads)Mismatched or uneven tires.
Tires not adequately inflated.
Broken or sagging springs.
Radial tire lateral force.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Disturbed rear axle alignment.
Brake dragging in one road wheel.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Replace tire.
Adjust tire pressure.
Replace spring.
Replace tire.
Check front end alignment.
Check rear axle alignment.
Repair front brake.
Tighten or replace suspension part.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-4 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Wander or Poor
Steering StabilityMismatched or uneven tires.
Loose ball joints and tie rod
ends.
Faulty shock absorbers / struts or
mounting.
Loose stabilizer bar.
Broken or sagging springs.
Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering
gear case)
Disturbed front end alignment.Replace tire or inflate tires to
proper pressure.
Replace suspension control arm or
tie rod end.
Replace absorber / strut or repair
mounting.
Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or
bushes.
Replace spring.
Check or adjust rack and pinion
torque.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Erratic Steering when
BrakingWorn wheel bearings.
Broken or sagging springs.
Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper.
Warped discs.
Badly worn brake linings.
Drum is out of round in some brakes.
Wheel tires are inflated unequally.
Defective wheel cylinders.
Disturbed front end alignment.Replace wheel bearing.
Replace spring.
Repair or replace wheel cylinder or
caliper.
Replace brake disc.
Replace brake shoe lining.
Replace brake drum.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace or repair wheel cylinder.
Check front end alignment.
Low or Uneven Trim
Height
Right-to-left trim height
(H) difference should be
within 15 mm (0.6 in.)
with curb weight.
*Same with rear side.Broken or sagging springs.
Overloaded.
Incorrect springs.Replace spring.
Check loading.
Replace spring.
Ride Too SoftFaulty shock absorber or struts.Replace shock absorber or strut.
Suspension BottomsOverloaded.
Faulty shocks or struts.
Incorrect broken or sagging springs.Check loading.
Replace shock absorber or strut.
Replace spring.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-8 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
RADIAL TIRE LEAD
ªLeadº is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level
road with no pressure on the steering wheel.
Lead is usually caused by:
1) Incorrect alignment.
2) Uneven brake adjustment.
3) Tire construction.
The way in which a tire is built can produce lead in a vehicle. An ex-
ample of this is placement of the belt. Off center belts on radial tires
can cause the tire to develop a side force while rolling straight down
the road. If one side of the tire is a little larger diameter than the oth-
er, the tire will tend to roll to one side. This will develop a side force
which can produce vehicle lead.
The procedure on previous page should be used to make sure that
front alignment is not mistaken for tire lead.
1) Part of the lead diagnosis procedure is different from the tire
rotation pattern currently in the owner's and service manuals. If
a medium to high mileage tire is moved to the other side of the
vehicle, be sure to check that ride roughness has not developed.
2) Rear tires will not cause lead.
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS
Wheel unbalance causes most of the highway speed vibration
problems. If a vibration remains after dynamic balancing, it can be
caused by three things.
1) Tire runout.
2) Wheel runout.
3) Tire stiffness variation.
Measuring tire and / or wheel free runout will uncover only part of the
problem. All three causes, known as loaded radial runout, must be
checked by using a Tire Problem Detector (TPD). If a TPD is not
available, the more time consuming method of substituting known
good tire and wheel assemblies on the problem vehicle can be
used.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3B1-6 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Vehicle pulls to
one side during
straight drivingMismatched or uneven tire
Low or uneven tire inflation pressure
Brake dragging in one wheel
Front end alignment out of order
Rear end alignment out of order
Malfunction of control valve in gear boxReplace tire.
Inflate tires to proper pressure or
adjust right & left tires inflation
pressure.
Repair.
Check and adjust front end
alignment.
Check and adjust rear end
alignment.
Replace gear box.
Steering wheel
play is large and
vehicle wandersRefer to ªDiagnosisº in Section 3.
Fluid leakageLoose joints of (hydraulic pressure)
pipes and hoses
Deformed or damaged pipes or hosesRetighten.
Replace defective part.
Abnormal noiseAir drawn in due to insufficient amount of fluid
Air mixed into fluid from pipes or hoses
Slipping (loose) P / S belt
Worn P / S belt
Loose gear box fastening bolt
Loose linkage or joints
Pipes or hoses in contact with part of
vehicle body
Vanes of P / S pump defective
Malfunction of control valve in gear box
Bearing of P / S pump shaft defectiveAdd fluid and purge air.
Replace pipes or hoses.
Adjust belt tension.
Replace belt.
Retighten bolts.
Retighten.
Install pipes and hoses correctly.
Replace defective part.
Replace gear box.
Replace bearing.
No idle upPower steering pressure switch defectiveReplace power steering
pressure switch.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3B1-12 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
TIE-ROD END BOOT CHECK
Check boot for crack and damage and if any, replace it with a new
one.
AIR BLEEDING PROCEDURE
1) Hoist the front end of vehicle and apply safety stands.
2) Fill P / S fluid reservoir with fluid up to specified level.
NOTE:
Before starting engine, place transmission gear shift lever
in ªNeutralº (shift selector lever to ªPº range for A / T mod-
el), and set parking brake.
3) After running engine at idling speed for 3 to 5 seconds, stop it
and add fluid to satisfy specification.
4) With engine stopped, turn steering wheel to the right and left as
far as it stops, repeat it a few times and fill fluid to specified level.
5) With engine running at idling speed, repeat stop-to-stop turn of
steering wheel till all foams in P / S fluid reservoir are gone.
NOTE:
Make sure to bleed air completely. If air remains in fluid, P / S
pump may make humming noise or steering wheel may feel
heavy.
6) Finally check to make sure that fluid is filled to specified level.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D-6 FRONT SUSPENSION
1. Strut tower bar
1. E-ring
1. Front wheel speed sensor harness clamp bolt
1. Strut bracket bolts
2. Lower arm
3. Jack
1. Strut support nuts
STRUT DAMPER
REMOVAL
1) Remove strut tower bar (if equipped).
2) Hoist vehicle, allowing front suspension to hang free.
3) Remove wheel.
4) Remove E-ring securing brake hose and take brake hose off
strut bracket as shown.
5) If equipped with ABS, remove front wheel speed sensor harness
clamp bolt.
6) Remove strut bracket bolts, then support lower arm with jack.
7) Remove strut support nuts.
Hold strut by hand so that it will not fall off.
8) Remove strut.