YH4
GRAND
VITARA
BRAKES 5-3
SUBSTANDARD OR
CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID
Improper brake fluid, mineral oil or water in the fluid
may cause the brake fluid to boil or the rubber compo-
nents in the hydraulic system to deteriorate.
If primary piston cups are swollen, then rubber parts
have deteriorated. This deterioration may also be evi-
denced by swollen wheel cylinder piston cups on the
drum brake wheels.
If deterioration of rubber is evident, disassemble all
hydraulic parts and wash with alcohol. Dry these parts
with compressed air before assembly to keep alcohol
out of the system. Replace all rubber parts in the sys-
tem, including hoses. Also, when working on the
brake mechanisms, check for fluid on the linings. If ex-
cessive fluid is found, replace the linings.
If master cylinder piston seals are satisfactory, check
for leakage or excessive heat conditions. If condition
is not found, drain fluid, flush with brake fluid, refill and
bleed system.
The system must be flushed if there is any doubt as
to the grade of fluid in the system or if fluid has been
used which contained parts that have been subjected
to contaminated fluid.
DIAGNOSIS
ROAD TESTING BRAKES
Brakes should be tested on dry, clean, smooth and
reasonably level roadway which is not crowned. Road
test brakes by making brake applications with both
light and heavy pedal forces at various speeds to de-
termine if the vehicle stops evenly and effectively.
Also drive vehicle to see if it leads to one side or the
other without brake application. If it does, check the
tire pressure, front end alignment and front suspen-
sion attachments for looseness. See diagnosis chart
for other causes.
BRAKE FLUID LEAKS
Check the master cylinder fluid levels. While a slight
drop in reservoir level does result from normal lining
wear, an abnormally low level indicates a leak in the
system. In such a case, check the entire brake system
for leakage. If even a slight evidence of leakage is
noted, the cause should be corrected or defective
parts should be replaced.
If fluid level is lower than the minimum level of reser-
voir, refilling is necessary. Fill reservoir with specified
brake fluid.
Brake fluid: Refer to reservoir tank cap.
CAUTION:
Since brake system of this vehicle is factory-
filled with brake fluid indicated on reservoir
tank cap, do not use or mix different type of
fluid when refilling; otherwise serious damage
will occur.
Do not use old or used brake fluid, or any fluid
from a unsealed container.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
5-4 BRAKES
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Not enough brak-
ing forceBrake oil leakage from brake lines.
Brake disc or pads stained with oil.
Overheated brakes.
Poor contact of shoes on brake drum.
Brake shoes linings stained with oil or wet
with water.
Badly worn brake shoe linings.
Defective wheel cylinders.
Malfunctioning caliper assembly.
Air in system.
Maladjusted sensor spring length of LSPV.
Broken sensor spring of LSPV.
Defective collar of LSPV.
Malfunctioning ABS (Antilock brake system),
if equipped.Locate leaking point and repair.
Clean or replace.
Determine cause and repair.
Repair for proper contact.
Replace.
Replace.
Repair or replace.
Repair or replace.
Bleed system.
Check or adjust.
Replace.
Replace.
Check system and replace as
necessary.
Brake pull
(Brakes not work-
ing in unison)Pad or shoe linings are wet with water or
stained with oil in some brakes.
Drum-to-shoe clearance out of adjustment in
some brakes.
(Malfunctioning auto adjusting mechanism)
Drum is out of round in some brakes.
Wheel tires are inflated unequally.
Malfunctioning wheel cylinders.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Unmatched tires on same axle.
Restricted brake pipes or hoses.
Malfunctioning caliper assembly.
Loose suspension parts.
Loose calipers.Replace.
Check for inoperative auto adjusting
mechanism.
Replace.
Inflate equally.
Repair or replace.
Adjust as prescribed.
Tires with approximately the same
amount of tread should be used on the
same axle.
Check for soft hoses and damaged
lines.
Replace with new hoses and new
brake pipes.
Check for stuck or sluggish pistons
and proper lubrication of caliper slide
bush.
Caliper should slide.
Check all suspension mountings.
Check and torque bolts to specifica-
tions.
Noise (High pitched
squeak without
brake applied)Front lining worn out.Replace linings.
Rear brake locked
prematurelyMaladjusted sensor spring length of LSPV.
Malfunction LSPV assembly.Check or adjust.
Replace assembly.
Brake locked
(For vehicles
equipped with
ABS)Malfunctioning ABS, if equipped.Check system and replace as
necessary.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
BRAKES 5-5
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Excessive pedal
travel (Pedal
stroke too large)Partial brake system failure.
Insufficient fluid in master cylinder
reservoirs.
Air in system. (pedal soft / spongy)
Rear brake system not adjusted.
(malfunctioning auto adjusting mechanism)
Bent brake shoes.
Worn rear brake shoes.Check brake systems and repair as
necessary.
Fill reservoirs with approved brake
fluid.
Check for leaks and air in brake
systems.
Check warning light. Bleed system if
required.
Bleed system.
Repair auto adjusting mechanism.
Adjust rear brakes.
Replace brake shoes.
Replace brake shoes.
Dragging brakes
(A very light drag
is present in all
disc brakes
immediately
after pedal is
released)Master cylinder pistons not returning
correctly.
Restricted brake pipes or hoses.
Incorrect parking brake adjustment on rear
brakes.
Weakened or broken return springs in the
brake.
Sluggish parking-brake cables or linkage.
Wheel cylinder or caliper piston sticking.
Malfunctioning ABS, if equipped with ABS.Replace master cylinder.
Check for soft hoses or damaged
pipes and replace with new hoses
and / or new brake pipes.
Check and adjust to correct specifi-
cations.
Replace.
Repair or replace.
Repair as necessary.
Check system and replace as
necessary.
Pedal pulsation
(Pedal pulsates
when depressed
for braking)Damaged or loose wheel bearings.
Distorted steering knuckle or rear axle
shafts.
Excessive disc lateral runout.
Parallelism not within specifications.
Rear drums out of round.Replace wheel hub component.
Replace knuckle or rear axle shaft.
Check per instructions. If not within
specifications, replace or machine
the disc.
Check per instructions. If not within
specifications, replace or machine
the disc.
Check runout.
Repair or replace drum as
necessary.
Braking noiseGlazed shoe linings, or foreign matters
stuck to linings.
Worn or distorted shoe linings.
Loose front wheel bearings.
Distorted backing plates or loose mounting
bolts.Repair or replace shoe lining.
Replace shoe lining (or pad).
Replace wheel hub component.
Replace or retighten securing bolts.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. 4-way joint / 2-way joint
2. Master cylinder
3. LSPV
4. Right brake caliper
5. Left brake caliper
6. Right wheel cylinder
7. Left wheel cylinder
8. ABS actuator
: Air bleeding point [A]: Without ABS
[B]: With ABS
1. Plug cap2. Vinyl tube (See-through tube)
3. Container
[A]
[B]
BRAKES 5-7
CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT
BLEEDING BRAKES
CAUTION:
Brake fluid is extremely damaging to paint. If fluid should
accidentally touch painted surface, immediately wipe
fluid from paint and clean painted surface.
NOTE:
For vehicle equipped with ABS, make sure that ignition switch
turns off.
Be sure to bleed air of brake system according to following proce-
dure when its oil hydraulic circuit has been disconnected.
Hydraulic lines of brake system consists of two separate lines, one
for front wheel brakes and the other for rear wheel brakes.
Air bleeding is necessary at right and left front wheel brakes, left
rear wheel brake and LSPV (if equipped without ABS), i.e. 4 places
(3 places for vehicle with ABS) in all.
1) Fill master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid and keep at least
one-half full of fluid during bleeding operation.
2) Remove bleeder plug cap.
Attach a vinyl tube to bleeder plug of wheel cylinder, and insert
the other end into container.
3) Depress brake pedal several times, and then while holding it de-
pressed, loosen bleeder plug about one-third to one half turn.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
5-8 BRAKES
4) When fluid pressure in the cylinder is almost depleted, retigh-
ten bleeder plug.
5) Repeat this operation until there are no more air bubbles in hy-
draulic line.
6) When bubbles stop, depress and hold brake pedal and tighten
bleeder plug.
For tightening torque specification of air bleeder plug, re-
fer to ªTIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONº in this
section.
7) Then attach bleeder plug cap.
8) After completing bleeding operation, apply fluid pressure to
pipe line and check for leakage.
9) Replenish fluid into reservoir up to specified level.
10) Check brake pedal for ªsponginessº. If found spongy, repeat
entire procedure of bleeding.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
5-10 BRAKES
BRAKE PEDAL PLAY CHECK
Pedal play should be within specification. If out of specification,
check brake light switch for proper installation position and adjust
if necessary.
Also check pedal shaft bolt and master cylinder pin installation for
looseness and replace if defective.
Pedal play ªdº: 1 ± 8 mm (0.04 ± 0.32 in.)
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Be sure to use particular brake fluid either as indicated on reservoir
cap of that vehicle or recommended in owner's manual which
comes along with that vehicle.
Use of any other fluid is strictly prohibited.
Fluid level should be between MIN and MAX lines marked on reser-
voir.
When warning light lights sometimes during driving, replenish fluid
to MAX line.
When fluid decreases quickly, inspect brake system for leakage.
Correct leaky points and then refill to specified level.
CAUTION:
Do not use shock absorber fluid or any other fluid which
contains mineral oil. Do not use a container which has been
used for mineral oil or a container which is wet from water.
Mineral oil will cause swelling and distortion of rubber parts
in hydraulic brake system and water mixed into brake fluid
will lower fluid boiling point. Keep all fluid containers
capped to prevent contamination.
BRAKE HOSE AND PIPE CHECK
The brake hose assembly should be checked for road hazard dam-
age, for cracks and chafing of the outer cover, for leaks and blisters.
A light and mirror may be needed for an adequate inspection. If any
of the above conditions are observed on the brake hose, it is neces-
sary to replace it.
Inspect the pipe for damage, cracks, dents and corrosion. If any de-
fect is found, replace it.
MASTER CYLINDER CHECK
Check for a cracked master cylinder casting or brake fluid around
the master cylinder. Leaks are indicated only if there is at least a
drop of fluid. A damp condition is not abnormal.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3. LSPV stay
1. Master cylinder
2. Disconnect brake pipe1. LSPV lever
2. LSPV spring
3, ªAº 2
1
2(a)
ªaº
ªbº
5-14 BRAKES
3) Depress brake pedal gradually till fluid pressure of front brake
becomes as specified below and check corresponding pressure
of rear brake then. It should be within specification given below.
Front brake
Rear brake
8,000 kPa
80 kg / cm2
3 Door
6,000 ± 7,300 kPa
60 ± 73 kg / cm2
853 ± 1,038 psi80 kg / cm2
1,138 psi5 Door
4,500 ± 7,300 kPa
45 ± 73 kg / cm2
640 ± 1,038 psi
As done above, apply 100 kg / cm2 pressure to front brake and
check that rear brake pressure then is within specification as giv-
en below.
Front brake
Rear brake
10,000 kPa
100 kg / cm2
3 Door
6,500 ± 8,000 kPa
65 ± 80 kg / cm2
924 ± 1,138 psi100 kg / cm2
1,422 psi5 Door
5,000 ± 8,000 kPa
50 ± 80 kg / cm2
711 ± 1,138 psi
4) If rear brake pressure is not within specification, adjust it by
changing stay ªAº position as follows.
Tightening Torque
(a): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)
If rear brake pressure is higher than specification, move stay
ªAº to direction ªaº and if it is lower, to direction ªbº.
Repeat steps 3) and 4) until rear brake pressure is within spec-
ification.
After adjustment, be sure to torque bolt to specification.
5) Disconnect brake pipe (connecting between master cylinder
secondary side and 4-way joint) from master cylinder.
Tighten plug (special tool) to master cylinder.
Depress brake pedal. If rear brake pressure is 95 ± 100 kg / cm
2
when front brake pressure is 100 kg / cm2, it means that front fail-
safe system functions properly.
Front brake
Rear brake
10000 kPa
100 kg / cm2
1422 psi
9500 ± 10000 kPa
95 ± 100 kg / cm2
1350 ± 1422 psi
Special Tool
(A): 09956-02210
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
BRAKES 5-17
TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
FasteningpartsTightening torqueFastening artsN.mkg-mlb-ft
Brake pipe 2-way (or 4-way) joint bolt232.317.0
Brake pipe flare nut161.611.5
Front caliperM88.00.86.0
Brake bleederplug
Front cali erM108.50.856.5Brake bleeder lugWheel cylinder7.50.755.5
LSPV7.50.755.5
LSPV mounting bolt
LSPV stay bolt232.317.0
LSPV spring nut
Wheel nut10010.072.5
Stop light switch lock nut7.50.755.5
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIAL
MATERIALSRECOMMENDED
SUZUKI PRODUCTUSE
Brake fluid
Indicated on reservoir
cap or described in owner's
manual of vehicleTo fill master cylinder reservoir.
To clean and apply to inner parts of master
cylinder caliper and wheel cylinder when
they are disassembled.