Page 196 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
4. Dash panel
1. Steering column lower seal
In engine room
In cabin
1. Shift (key) interlock cable
2. Screw
3C1-12 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
4) Check steering column lower seal for breakage or deformation.
If found defective, replace.
5) Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as
crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering lower shaft assem-
bly or steering column assembly.
6) Check steering shaft for smooth rotation.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
7) Check steering shaft and column for bend, cracks or deforma-
tion.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION:
After tightening steering column mounting bolts, steering
shaft joint bolts should be tightened.
1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-
ahead position.
2) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, install shift (key) inter-
lock cable to ignition switch.
Tightening Torque
(a): 2.2 N
.m (0.22 kg-m, 1.6 lb-ft)
3) Install steering column assembly to dash panel and upper
bracket so that boss of steering column lower seal and all around
it project out of hole in dash panel into engine room. Tighten
steering column lower bolts (4 pieces) first and then upper bolts
(2 pieces) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(b): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)
Page 199 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C1-15
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Steering lower shaft assembly
4. Bolt (column side)
5. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)
1. Steering lower shaft assembly
2. Steering lower shaft assembly
lower joint bolt
3. Steering shaft joint
STEERING LOWER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
CAUTION:
Never turn steering wheel while steering lower shaft assem-
bly is removed.
Should it have been turned and contact coil (on combina-
tion switch) have got out of its centered position, it needs
to be centered again. Also, turning steering wheel more
than about two and a half turns will break contact coil.
REMOVAL
1) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
2) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) After removing bolt on column side of shaft joint and loosening
bolt on its lower shaft assembly side, move shaft joint to lower
shaft assembly side (in arrow direction in figure).
4) Remove lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt and then remove
lower shaft assembly.
5) Remove shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) from shaft
joint and then remove shaft joint from lower shaft assembly.
Page 200 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
2
1
1. Steering shaft joint
2. Bolt (Steering column assembly side)
3. Bolt (Steering lower shaft assembly side)1. Steering shaft joint
2. Steering lower shaft assembly
1. Steering lower shaft
assembly
2. Steering lower shaft
assembly lower joint
3. Steering lower shaft
assembly lower joint bolt
4. Steering shaft joint
5. Mark
6. Slit
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3C1-16 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
INSTALLATION
1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight
ahead position.
2) Align flat part ªAº of lower shaft assembly with bolt hole ªBº of
shaft joint as shown. Then insert shaft joint into lower shaft as-
sembly.
3) Install shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) to shaft joint.
Then tighten it by hand.
4) Insert pinion shaft into lower shaft assembly lower joint with slit
of lower joint, marks on pinion shaft and gear case aligned.
And then install lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt to lower
shaft assembly lower joint. Tighten it to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 25 N
.m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
5) Install steering shaft joint to steering shaft.
NOTE:
Be sue that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-
ahead position.
6) Install shaft joint bolt (column side) to shaft joint. Tighten shaft
joint bolt (column side) to specified torque first and then shaft
joint bolt (shaft lower assembly side) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(b): 25 N
.m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
Page 203 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3D- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3D- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3D- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stabilizer Bar and Bushing Check 3D- 3. . . . . .
Strut Damper and / or Coil Spring Check 3D- 3. .
Suspension Arm / Knuckle Check 3D- 3. . . . . . . .
Suspension Control Arm Joint Check 3D- 4. . . .
Suspension Control Arm Bushing Check 3D- 4.
Wheel Disc, Nut & Bearing Check 3D- 4. . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3D- 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stabilizer Bar / Bushings 3D- 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strut Damper 3D- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coil Spring 3D- 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bump Stopper / Spring Rubber Seat 3D-11. . . . .
Wheel Hub (Included Wheel Bearing) 3D-12. . .
Knuckle / Wheel Spindle 3D-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension Control Arm / Bushings 3D-21. . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS3D-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIALS3D-24 . . . . . .
SPECIAL TOOLS3D-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3D
FRONT SUSPENSION
CAUTION:
All front suspension fasteners are an important attaching part in that it could affect the performance
of vital parts and systems, and / or could result in major repair expense. They must be replaced with
one of the same part number or with an equivalent part if replacement becomes necessary. Do not
use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified
during reassembly to assure proper retention of this part.
Never attempt to heat, quench or straighten any front suspension part. Replace it with a new part or
damage to the part may result.
CONTENTS
Page 204 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Body
2. Strut assembly
3. Steering knuckle
4. Suspension control arm
(Lower arm)
5. Ball stud
6. Wheel bearing
7. Axle shaft drive flange
8. Wheel
2WD
4WD
3D-2 FRONT SUSPENSION
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The front suspension is the strut type independent suspension. The upper end of a strut is anchored to the body
by a strut support. The strut and strut support are isolated by a rubber mount.
The lower end of the strut is connected to the upper end of a steering knuckle and lower end of knuckle is attached
to the stud of a ball joint which is incorporated in a unit with a suspension control arm. And this steering knuckle
is connected to the tie rod end.
Thus, movement of the steering wheel is transmitted to the tie rod end and then to the knuckle, eventually causing
the wheel-and-tire to move.
Page 205 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-3
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
Refer to Section 3.
STABILIZER BAR AND BUSHING CHECK
BAR
Inspect for damage or deformation. If defective, replace.
BUSHING
Inspect for damage, wear or deterioration. If defective, replace.
STRUT DAMPER AND / OR COIL SPRING
CHECK
1) Inspect strut for oil leakage. If strut is found faulty, replace it as
an assembly unit, because it can not be disassembled.
2) Strut function check
Check and adjust tire pressures as specified.
Bounce body three or four times continuously by pushing front
end on the side with strut to be checked. Apply the same amount
of force at each push and note strut resistance both when
pushed and rebounding.
Also, note how many times vehicle body rebounds before com-
ing to stop after hands are off. Do the same for strut on the other
side.
Compare strut resistance and number of rebound on the right
with those on the left.
And they must be equal in both. With proper strut, body should
come to stop the moment hands are off or after only one or two
small rebounds. If struts are suspected, compare them with
known good vehicle or strut.
3) Inspect for damage or deformation.
4) Inspect strut boot for damage or crack.
5) Inspect for cracks or deformation in spring seat.
6) Inspect for deterioration of bump stopper.
7) Inspect strut mount for wear, cracks or deformation.
Replace any parts found defective in steps 2) ± 7).
SUSPENSION ARM / KNUCKLE CHECK
Inspect for cracks, deformation or damage.
Page 206 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D-4 FRONT SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM JOINT CHECK
1) Check for smoothness of rotation.
2) Inspect ball stud for damage.
3) Inspect dust cover for damage.
Replace any parts found defective in steps 1) ± 3).
SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHING
CHECK
Inspect for damage, wear or deterioration.
WHEEL DISC, NUT & BEARING CHECK
1) Inspect each wheel disc for dents, distortion and cracks.
Disc in badly damaged condition must be replaced.
2) Check wheel nuts for tightness and retighten them to specifica-
tion as necessary.
Tightening Torque
(a): 100 N
.m (10.0 kg-m, 72.5 lb-ft)
3) Check wheel bearing for wear. After retightening lock nut to spe-
cified torque, apply dial gauge to wheel hub center and measure
thrust play.
Thrust play limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
When measurement exceeds limit, replace bearing.
4) By rotating wheel actually, check wheel bearing for noise and
smooth rotation. If defective, replace bearing.
Page 207 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-5
1. Suspension control arm
2. Stabilizer bar
3. Stabilizer ball joint
4. Ball joint bushings
5. Ball joint washers
6. Ball joint nuts
7. Bracket bolts
1. Painted
2. Mount bush bracket
3. Mount bush
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
STABILIZER BAR / BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
1) Hoist vehicle.
2) Remove stabilizer bar mount bush bracket bolts.
3) Remove stabilizer ball joint nuts, washers and bushings.
4) Remove stabilizer bar with its ball joints.
5) Disconnect stabilizer ball joints from stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION
NOTE:
For correct installation of stabilizer bar, side-to-side, be sure
that color paint on stabilizer bar aligns with mount bush, both
right and left, as shown.
1) Connect stabilizer ball joints and stabilizer bar.
2) Install stabilizer ball joints to control arms.
NOTE:
Do not tighten stabilizer ball joint nuts completely.
3) Install stabilizer bar mount bush brackets.
4) When installing stabilizer, loosely assemble all components
while insuring that stabilizer is centered, side-to-side.
Check that ball joint is set at neutral position seeing from body
upper side.
5) Tighten stabilizer bracket bolts and stabilizer ball joint nuts to
specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 29 N
.m (2.9 kg-m, 21.0 lb-ft)
(b): 50 N
.m (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 lb-ft)
(c): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)