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VITARA
1. Steering column hole cover
2. If equipped
1. Steering column cover screw
2. Steering column lower cover
3. Steering column upper cover: Tapping screw
: Standard screw
*
* *
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-5
3) Install steering column upper and lower cover.
4) Tighten steering column cover screws.
CAUTION:
When installing lower cover and upper cover, be careful
so that combination switch lead wire is not caught be-
tween covers.
5) Install steering column hole cover.
6) Install steering wheel to steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING
WHEELº in this section.
7) Connect battery negative cable.
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
CAUTION:
Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the
column is extremely susceptible to damage.
Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse
the steering shaft or loosen the plastic shear pins which
maintain column length. Leaning on the column assembly
could cause it to bend or deform.
Any of the above damage could impair the column's col-
lapsible design.
When loosening steering column mounting bolts, make
sure that steering column assembly and steering shaft low-
er assembly have been separated. Loosening them with
steering column assembly and steering shaft lower assem-
bly assembled could cause damage to bearing in steering
shaft lower assembly.
NOTE:
When servicing steering column or any column-mounted
component, remove steering wheel. But when removing steer-
ing column simply to gain access to instrument panel compo-
nents, leave steering wheel installed on steering column.
REMOVAL
1) Disconnect negative battery cable at battery terminal.
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YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
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 column hole cover
: If equipped
*
3C-6 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
2) Remove steering wheel and combination switch, if necessary.
Refer to ªSTEERING WHEELº and ªCOMBINATION SWITCHº
in this section.
Perform the following procedure if not removing steering wheel
and / or combination switch.
i) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
ii) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) Remove steering column hole cover.
4) Disconnect all connectors for the following parts.
Combination switch
Ignition switch
Immobilizer control system parts (if equipped)
5) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
6) 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 the figure).
Page 177 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Steering column mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
1. Shift (key) interlock cable
2. Screw
1. Capsule
2. Steering column bracket
3. Plate
1. Steering column assembly ªaº
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-7
7) Remove steering column mounting bolts (6 pieces).
8) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, remove shift (key) in-
terlock cable screw and then disconnect its cable from ignition
switch.
9) Remove steering column from vehicle.
INSPECTION
NOTE:
Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage,
where steering column has been impacted or air bag
deployed, may have a damaged or misaligned steering col-
umn.
CHECKING PROCEDURE
1) Check that two capsules are attached to steering column brack-
et securely. Check clearance between capsules and steering
column bracket. Clearance should be 0 mm (0 in.) on both sides.
If found loose or clearance, replace steering column assembly.
2) Check two plates for any damages such as crack or breakage.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering column assembly.
3) Take measurement ªaº as shown. If it is shorter than specified
length, replace column assembly with new one.
Length ªaº: 895 0.8 mm (35.24 0.03 in.)
Page 179 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering shaft joint
2. Steering shaft (column side)
3. Marks
1. Steering shaft joint
2. Bolt (column side)
3. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)
1. Steering column hole cover
: If equipped
*
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-9
4) Install steering shaft joint to steering shaft by matching it to
marks made before removal.
5) Install shaft joint bolt (column side) to steering shaft joint. Tighten
shaft joint bolt (column side) to specified torque first and then
shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(b): 25 N
.m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
6) If combination switch is removed, install combination switch.
Refer to ªCOMBINATION SWITCHº in this section.
7) Connect all connectors that have been removed in removal.
8) Install steering column hole cover.
9) If steering wheel is removed, install steering wheel. Refer to
ªSTEERING WHEELº in this section.
10) Connect negative battery cable.
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VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Steering lock
1. Center punch (with sharp point)
2. Steering lock mounting bolt
1. Steering column
2. Steering shaft
3C-10 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY (IGNITION
SWITCH)
REMOVAL
1) Remove steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in
this section.
2) Using center punch as shown, loosen and remove steering lock
mounting bolts.
NOTE:
Use care not to damage aluminum part of steering lock
body with center punch.
3) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and remove steering
lock assembly from steering column.
INSTALLATION
1) Position oblong hole of steering shaft in the center of hole in col-
umn.
2) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and install steering
lock assembly onto column.
3) Now turn ignition key to ªLOCKº position and pull it out.
4) Align hub on lock with oblong hole of steering shaft and rotate
shaft to assure that steering shaft is locked.
5) Tighten new bolts until head of each bolt is broken off.
6) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and check to be sure
that steering shaft rotates smoothly. Also check for lock opera-
tion.
7) Install steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in this
section.
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YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
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 WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-11
STEERING LOWER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
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) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
4) 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).
5) Make alignment marks on lower shaft assembly lower joint and
pinion shaft for a guide during reinstallation.
6) Remove lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt and then remove
lower shaft assembly.
7) Remove shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) from shaft
joint and then remove shaft joint from lower shaft assembly.
Page 184 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Lower position
2. Upper position
3C-14 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
09944-36011
Steering wheel remover
ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN RELEASE
LEVER
INSPECTION
Check to make sure that the following:
Steering column moves smoothly when adjustable steering col-
umn release lever is at lower position (i.e., steering column is not
locked).
Steering column is fixed securely when adjustable steering col-
umn release lever is at higher position (i.e., steering column is
locked).
TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
FasteningpartsTightening torqueFastening artsN.mkg-mlb-ft
Steering shaft nut333.323.5
Steering column mounting bolt232.317.0
Steering shaft joint bolt252.518.0
Steering lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt252.518.0
SPECIAL TOOL
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3C1
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C1-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3C1- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3C1- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Repair Required after
Accident 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3C1- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Precautions 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis and Servicing 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . . .
Disabling Air Bag System 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . .
Enabling Air Bag System 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . .
Handling and Storage 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposal 3C1- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Air Bag (Inflator) Module 3C1- 4. . . . . . . .
Steering Wheel 3C1- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centering Contact Coil 3C1- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contact Coil and Combination Switch
Assembly 3C1- 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Column 3C1- 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Lock Assembly (Ignition
Switch) 3C1-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Lower Shaft Assembly 3C1-15. . . . . . .
Checking Steering Column for Accident
Damage 3C1-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustable Steering Column Release
Lever 3C1-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS3C1-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIAL TOOL3C1-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3C1
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
WARNING:
Service on and around the air bag system components or wiring must be performed only by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer. Please observe all WARNINGS and ªService Precautionsº under ªOn-Vehicle
Serviceº in air bag system section before performing service on or around the air bag system compo-
nents or wiring. Failure to follow WARNINGS could result in unintentional activation of the system
or could render the system inoperative. Either of these two conditions may result in severe injury.
The procedures in this section must be followed in the order listed to disable the air bag system tem-
porarily and prevent false diagnostic trouble codes from setting. Failure to follow procedures could
result in possible activation of the air bag system, personal injury or otherwise unneeded air bag sys-
tem repairs.
CAUTION:
When fasteners are removed, always reinstall them at the same location from which they were re-
moved. If a fastener needs to be replaced, use the correct part number fastener for that application. If
the correct part number fastener is not available, a fastener of equal size and strength (or stronger) may
be used. Fasteners that are not reused, and those requiring thread-locking compound, will be called
out. The correct torque value must be used when installing fasteners that require it. If the above proce-
dures are not followed, parts or system damage could result.
CONTENTS