Page 135 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-3
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Too Much Play in
SteeringWheel 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 ReturnabilityBind 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 EndWorn, 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.
Page 136 of 801

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.
Page 137 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-5
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Body Leans or Sways
in CornersLoose stabilizer bar.
Faulty shock absorbers, struts
or mounting.
Broken or sagging springs.
Overloaded.Tighten stabilizer bar bolts or
replace bushes.
Replace shock absorber, strut or
tighten mounting.
Replace spring.
Check loading.
Cupped TiresFront struts defective.
Worn wheel bearings.
Excessive tire or wheel run-out.
Worn ball joints.
Tire out of balance.Replace strut.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tire or wheel disc.
Replace front suspension control
arm.
Adjust tire balance.
Page 229 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Rear axle housing
2. Coil spring
3. Axle shaft
4. Shock absorber
5. Upper rod
6. Lower rod
7. Oil level plug
8. Wheel bearing retainer
9. Rear wheel bearing
10. Brake back plate
11. Oil drain plug
12. Lateral rod
NOTE:
When installing differential gear oil drain
plug, clean the thread portion of the plug and
then apply sealant (SUZUKI BOND No. 1215,
99000-31110) to the portion.
8
3E-2 REAR SUSPENSION
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Rear suspension is 5 link type of rigid axle which consists of coil springs, rear axle, shock absorbers, upper rods,
lower rods and lateral rod.
The lower rod and upper rod are connected with the axle and body by using bushes so that axle moves up and
down with bushes as their supporting points.
The shock absorber is installed between the body and axle to absorb up-and-down movement of the vehicle body.