1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA steering

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
HEATER AND VENTILATION 1A-13
1. Lever
FOR LEFT HAND STEERING VEHICLE
FOR RIGHT HAND STEERING VEHICLE
4) Disconnect heater mode control actuator coupler (1).
5) Disconnect heater mode control actuator rod (2) from heater
unit.
6) Remove heater mode control actuator from heater unit by re-
moving its mounting screw (3).
INSPECTION
1) Connect battery voltage (+) to terminal ªb'º and (±) to terminal
ªaº.
2) Connect each terminal listed below to terminal ªa'º (negative (±)
terminal of battery) and check if lever rotation angle is as speci-
fied in figure.
MODE
TERMINAL
VENTc
BI-LEVELd
HEATe
DEF / HEATf
DEFg
INSTALLATION
1) Install in reverse order of removal procedure.
2) If equipped with air bag system, enable air bag system.
Refer to ENABLING AIR BAG SYSTEM in Section 10B.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
HEATER AND VENTILATION 1A-17
1. Dash panel (engine room) 2. Nuts
REMOVAL
WARNING:
Failure to follow the following procedure and WARNING
may cause air bag deployment, personal injury, damage to
parts, or air bag being unable to deploy.

Never rest a steering column assembly on steering wheel
with air bag (inflator) module face down and column verti-
cal.

When handling the air bag (inflator) modules (driver and
passenger), be careful not to drop it or apply an impact to
it. If an excessive impact was applied (e.g., dropped from
a height of 91.4 cm (3 feet) or more, never attempt disas-
sembly or repair but replace it with a new one.

When grease, cleaning agent. Oil, water, etc. has got onto
air bag (inflator) modules (driver and passenger), wipe off
immediately with a dry cloth.
1) Disconnect negative (±) cable at battery.
2) Disable air bag system, if equipped. Refer to DISABLING AIR
BAG SYSTEM in Section 10B.
3) Drain engine coolant and disconnect heater hose (1) from
heater unit.
4) Remove instrument panel, refer to item INSTRUMENT PANEL
REMOVAL in Section 9.
5) Remove cooling unit (If equipped).
Refer to item EVAPORATOR (COOLING UNIT) REMOVAL in
Section 1B.
6) Disconnect rear duct (4) from heater unit.
7) Disconnect heater mode control actuator lead wire (1) at cou-
plers.
8) Remove A / C controller (2) (If equipped).
9) Remove SDM (3) (If equipped).
10) Remove heater unit.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1A-18 HEATER AND VENTILATION
11) Remove heater core pipe clamps (1) and grommet (2).
12) Pull out heater core (1) from unit (2).
INSTALLATION
1) Install heater unit by reversing removal procedure, noting the
following items.

When installing each part, be careful not to catch any cable or
wiring harness.

When installing steering column assembly, refer to STEER-
ING COLUMN INSTALLATION in Section 3C or 3C1.
2) Install control cables. (Refer to HEATER CONTROL CABLES in
this section.)
3) Fill engine coolant to radiator.
4) Enable air bag system, if equipped. Refer to ENABLING AIR
BAG SYSTEM in Section 10B.
5) Evacuate and charge system. Refer to items EVACUATING
SYSTEM and PROCEDURE OF CHARGING in Section 1B.

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
3-2 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Abnormal or
Excessive Tire Wear
Sagging or broken springs.

Tire out of balance.

Disturbed front end alignment.

Faulty shock absorber.

Hard driving.

Overloaded vehicle.

Tires not rotating.

Worn or loose road wheel bearings.

Wobbly wheel or tires.

Tires not adequately inflated.Replace spring.
Adjust balance or replace tire.
Check front end alignment.
Replace shock absorber.
Replace tire.
Replace tire.
Replace or rotate tire.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace wheel or tire.
Adjust the pressure.
Wheel Tramp
Blister or bump on tire.

Improper shock absorber action.Replace tire.
Replace shock absorber.
Shimmy, Shake or
Vibration
Tire or wheel out of balance.

Loose wheel bearings.

Worn tie rod ends.

Worn lower ball joints.

Excessive wheel runout.

Blister or bump on tire.

Excessively loaded radial runout of
tire / wheel assembly.

Disturbed front end alignment.

Loose or worn tie-rod end.

Loose steering gear case bolts.Balance wheels or replace tire and /
or wheel.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace front suspension control
arm.
Repair or replace wheel and / or tire.
Replace tire.
Replace tire or wheel.
Check front end alignment.
Tighten or replace tie-rod end.
Tighten case bolts.
Hard Steering
Bind in tie rod end ball studs or
lower ball joints.

Disturbed front end alignment.

Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)

Tire not adequately inflated.

Bind in steering column.

Low fluid level, loose drive belt or
malfunction of power steering system.
(if equipped with P / S)Replace tie rod end or front
suspension control arm.
Check front end alignment.
Check and adjust steering gear box.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Repair or replace.
Check and correct.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-3
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Too Much Play in
Steering
Wheel bearings worn.

Loose steering gear case bolts.

Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)

Worn steering shaft joints.

Worn tie rod ends or tie rod
inside ball joints.

Worn lower ball joints.Replace wheel bearing.
Tighten.
Check and adjust rack and pinion
torque.
Replace joint.
Replace tie rod end or steering
gear case.
Replace front suspension control
arm.
Poor Returnability
Bind in tie rod end ball studs.

Bind in ball joints.

Bind in steering column.

Poorly lubricated rack and pinion.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)

Disturbed front end alignment.

Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)

Tires not adequately inflated.Replace tie rod end.
Replace ball joint.
Repair or replace.
Check, repair or lubricate rack and
pinion.
Check and adjust front end
alignment.
Check and adjust rack and pinion
torque.
Adjust pressure.
Steering Noise
(Rattle or Chuckle)
Loose bolts and nuts.

Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.

Worn or sticky tie rod ends.

Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)Retighten.
Replace.
Replace.
Check and adjust rack and pinion
torque.
Abnormal Noise,
Front End
Worn, sticky or loose tie rod
ends, lower ball joints, tie rod
inside ball joints or drive shaft
joints.

Damaged shock absorbers, struts
or mountings.

Worn control arm bushings.

Loose stabilizer bar.

Loose wheel nuts.

Loose suspension bolts or nuts.

Broken or otherwise damaged
wheel bearings.

Broken suspension springs.

Poorly lubricated or worn strut
bearings.Replace tie rod end, control arm,
steering gear case or drive shaft
joint.
Replace or repair.
Replace.
Tighten bolts or replace bushes.
Tighten wheel nuts.
Tighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace spring.
Lubricate or replace strut bearing.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-4 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Wander or Poor
Steering Stability
Mismatched 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
Braking
Worn 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 Soft
Faulty shock absorber or struts.Replace shock absorber or strut.
Suspension Bottoms
Overloaded.

Faulty shocks or struts.

Incorrect broken or sagging springs.Check loading.
Replace shock absorber or strut.
Replace spring.