YH4
GRAND
VITARA
0B-18 MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
ITEM 6-8
Suspension System Inspection
Check suspension bolts and nuts for tightness and retighten them
as necessary.
Repair or replace defective parts, if any.
NOTE:
For details of check points, refer to tables of Tightening Torque
Specification in Section 3D and 3E.
Front
1) Check stabilizer bar for damage or deformation.
2) Check bushing for damage, wear or deterioration.
3) Inspect strut for damage, deformation, oil leakage and opera-
tion. If strut is found faulty, replace it as an assembly unit, be-
cause it can not be disassembled.
Refer to strut check Section 3D for operation check.
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.
8) Check ball joint stud dust seal (boot) for leaks, detachment,
tear or other damage. Check suspension arm bushing for dam-
age, wear or deterioration.
Rear
9) Check shock absorber for damage, deformation, oil leakage
and operation.
10) Check bushings for wear and damage.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION 0B-19
11) Check coil spring, upper rod, lower rod and lateral rod for de-
formation and damage.
12) Check upper rod, lower rod and lateral rod bushings and bump
stopper for wear, damage and deterioration.
13) Check other suspension parts for damage, loose or missing
parts; also for parts showing signs of wear or lack of lubrication.
Replace any parts found defective in steps 1) to 13).
ITEM 6-9
Propeller Shafts and Drive Shafts Inspection
1) Check universal joint and spline of propeller shaft for rattle. If
rattle is found, replace defective part with a new one.
2) Check propeller shaft (front & rear) flange yoke bolts for tight-
ness, and retighten them as necessary.
Refer to Section 4B for tightening torque.
3) Check drive axle boots (wheel side and differential side) for
leaks, detachment, tear or other damage.
Replace boot as necessary.
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.
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
3A-2 FRONT END ALIGNMENT
CAMBER
Camber is the tilting of the front wheels from the vertical, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. When the wheels
tilt outward at the top, the camber is positive. When the wheels tilt inward at the top, the camber is negative. The
amount of tilt is measured in degrees.
PRELIMINARY CHECKS PRIOR TO ADJUSTING FRONT ALIGNMENT
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. An additional item to be checked
is the possibility of tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. ªLeadº is the deviation of the vehicle from
a straight path on a level road without hand pressure on the steering wheel.
Section 3 of this manual contains a procedure for determining the presence of a tire lead problem.
Before making any adjustment affecting toe setting, the following checks and inspections should be made to en-
sure correctness of alignment readings and alignment adjustments:
1) Check all tires for proper inflation pressures and approximately the same tread wear.
2) Check for loose ball joints. Check tie rod ends; if excessive looseness is noted, it must be corrected before ad-
justing.
3) Check for run-out of wheels and tires.
4) Check vehicle trim heights; if out of limits and a correction is to be made, it must be made before adjusting toe.
5) Check for loose control arms.
6) Check for loose or missing stabilizer bar attachments.
7) Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes. If this excess load is normally carried in ve-
hicle, it should remain in vehicle during alignment checks.
8) Consider condition of equipment being used to check alignment and follow manufacturer's instructions.
9) Regardless of equipment used to check alignment, vehicle must be on a level surface both fore and aft and
transversely.
TOE ADJUSTMENT
Toe is adjusted by changing tie rod length. Loosen right and left tie
rod end lock nuts first and then rotate right and left tie rods by the
same amount to align toe-in to specification.
In this adjustment, right and left tie rods should become equal in
length.
After adjustment, tighten lock nuts to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 65 N
.m (6.5 kg-m, 47.0 lb-ft)
CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Should camber or caster be found out of specifications upon in-
spection, locate its cause first. If it is in damaged, loose, bent,
dented or worn suspension parts, they should be replaced. If it is
in body, repair it so as to attain specifications.
To prevent possible incorrect reading of camber or caster, vehicle
front end must be moved up and down a few times before inspec-
tion.
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
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.
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)