2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Rear suspension

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-8 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
RADIAL TIRE LEAD
ªLeadº is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level
road with no pressure on the steering wheel.
Lead is usually caused by:
1) Incorrect alignment.
2) Uneven brake adjustment.
3) Tire construction.
The way in which a tire is built can produce lead in a vehicle. An ex-
ample of this is placement of the belt. Off center belts on radial tires
can cause the tire to develop a side force while rolling straight down
the road. If one side of the tire is a little larger diameter than the oth-
er, the tire will tend to roll to one side. This will develop a side force
which can produce vehicle lead.
The procedure on previous page should be used to make sure that
front alignment is not mistaken for tire lead.
1) Part of the lead diagnosis procedure is different from the tire
rotation pattern currently in the owner's and service manuals. If
a medium to high mileage tire is moved to the other side of the
vehicle, be sure to check that ride roughness has not developed.
2) Rear tires will not cause lead.
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS
Wheel unbalance causes most of the highway speed vibration
problems. If a vibration remains after dynamic balancing, it can be
caused by three things.
1) Tire runout.
2) Wheel runout.
3) Tire stiffness variation.
Measuring tire and / or wheel free runout will uncover only part of the
problem. All three causes, known as loaded radial runout, must be
checked by using a Tire Problem Detector (TPD). If a TPD is not
available, the more time consuming method of substituting known
good tire and wheel assemblies on the problem vehicle can be
used.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-21
(1)
(2)
(A)
1. Hydraulic press
1. Hydraulic press Cut off flange
Bush outer diameter
SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM / BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
1) Remove coil spring. Refer to COIL SPRING in this section.
2) Remove control arm bolts and nuts. Then remove control arm.
3) Cut flange part of control arm bush (rubber and steel) with using
care not to damage control arm end surface.
Dimension ªAº: Approx. 6 mm (0.236 in.)
4) Place control arm and special tool on hydraulic press. Set con-
trol arm cutting flange to welded part (1) of the special tool and
control arm joint side to the stepped part (2) of special tool.
CAUTION:
Use special care in driving out control arm bush to press
it vertically.
Or it may cause personally injury.
Special tool
(A): 09951-46020
5) Remove front bushing by using hydraulic press and special
tools, pull out bushing.
Special Tool
(A): 09951-46020
(B): 09924-74510
(C): 09951-16060
6) Remove rear bushing by using hydraulic press and special
tools, pull out bushing.
Special Tool
(A): 09951-46020
(D): 09913-80112
(E): 09925-58210

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D-22 FRONT SUSPENSION
1. Hydraulic press
2. Front bushing
A: Bushing flange
contacts housing edge
1. Hydraulic press
2. Rear bushing
A: Bushing flange
contacts housing edge
INSTALLATION
1) Front bushing
Press-fit front bushing until its flange contacts housing edge of
control arm, use special tools as shown.
Special Tool
(C): 09951-16060
(F): 09913-85210
NOTE:
When press-fitting bushing, compounding oil or soap water
applied to inside of control arm housing will facilitate work.
2) Rear bushing
Press-fit rear bushing until its flange contacts housing edge of
control arm, use special tools as shown.
Special Tool
(E): 09925-58210
(F): 09913-85210
NOTE:
When press-fitting bushing, compounding oil or soap water
applied to inside of control arm housing will facilitate work.
3) Install control arm to chassis.
Tighten suspension arm nut to specified torque after lowering
hoist and vehicle in non-loaded condition.
Tightening Torque
(a): 85 N
.m (8.5 kg-m, 61.5 lb-ft)
(b): 127 N.m (12.7 kg-m, 92.0 lb-ft)
4) As installation procedure hereafter is the same as that for coil
spring. Refer to ªCOIL SPRINGº in this section.
NOTE:
For any tightening torque other than those specified in text,
refer to ªTORQUE SPECIFICATION TABLEº at the end of
this section.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3E
REAR SUSPENSION 3E-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3E- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3E- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3E- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shock Absorber Check 3E- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lower / Upper / Lateral Rod Check 3E- 3. . . . . . . .
Axle Housing and Coil Spring Check 3E- 3. . . .
Bearing Retainer & Axle Shaft Inner Oil
Seal Check 3E- 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Disc, Nut & Bearing Check 3E- 4. . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3E- 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shock Absorber 3E- 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coil Spring 3E- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lower Rod 3E- 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Upper Rod 3E- 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lateral Rod 3E-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Axle Shaft and Wheel Bearing 3E-10. . . . .
Rear Axle Shaft Inner Oil Seal 3E-15. . . . . . . . . .
Rear Axle Housing 3E-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS3E-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIALS3E-23 . . . . . .
SPECIAL TOOLS3E-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3E
REAR SUSPENSION
NOTE:

All 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 replace-
ment part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reas-
sembly to assure proper retention of this part.

Never attempt to heat, quench or straighten any suspension part. Replace it with a new part, or damage
to the part may result.
CONTENTS

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.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
ªAº: Drill hole with approximately
3 mm (0.12 in.) diameter.
REAR SUSPENSION 3E-3
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
Refer to SECTION 3.
SHOCK ABSORBER CHECK

Inspect for deformation or damage.

Inspect bushings for wear or damage.

Inspect for evidence of oil leakage.
Replace any defective part.
WARNING:
When handling rear shock absorber in which high-pressure
gas is sealed, make sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
1) Don't disassemble it.
2) Don't put it into the fire.
3) Don't store it where it gets hot.
4) Before disposing it, be sure to drill a hole in it where
shown by an arrow in the figure and let gas and oil out.
Lay it down sideways for this work.
5) The gas itself is harmless but it may issue out of the hole
together with chips generated by the drill. Therefore, be
sure to wear goggle.
LOWER ROD, UPPER ROD, LATERAL ROD
CHECK
Inspect for cracks, deformation or damage.
Replace any defective part.
Inspect each bush for wear and breakage. If found defective, re-
place.
AXLE HOUSING AND COIL SPRING CHECK
Inspect for cracks, deformation or damage.
Inspect for evidence of oil leakage at axle housing.
If any, replace defective part.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3E-4 REAR SUSPENSION
REAR SUSPENSION FASTENERS
Check each bolt and nut fastening suspension parts for tightness.
Tighten loose one, if any, to specified torque, referring to ªTIGHT-
ENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONSº of this section.
BEARING RETAINER AND AXLE SHAFT
INNER OIL SEAL CHECK

When brake drum has been removed, check inside of brake drum
for gear oil leakage.

Also, check backside of brake back plate for oil leakage.
If oil leakage is found, replace defective oil seal.

Whenever it is possible to check oil seal during disassembly,
check its lip for wear.
If oil leakage or worn lip is found, replace defective oil seal.
WHEEL DISC, NUT & BEARING CHECK

Inspect each wheel disc for dents, distortion and cracks. A disc
in badly damaged condition must be replaced.

Check wheel hub nuts for tightness and retighten to specification
as necessary.
Tightening Torque
(a): 100 N
.m (10.0 kg-m, 72.5 lb-ft)

Check wheel bearings for wear. When measuring thrust play, ap-
ply a dial gauge to axle shaft center after removing wheel center
cap from wheel.
Thrust play limit
Rear0.8 mm (0.03 in.)
When measurement exceeds limit, replace bearing.

By rotating wheel actually, check wheel bearing for noise and
smooth rotation. If it is defective, replace bearing.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Rear axle housing
2. Floor jack
1. Lock nut (if equipped)
2. Absorber nut
3. Upper support
4. Rubber bush
5. Lower support
6. Shock absorber
7. Bolt
Upper side
Lower side
1. Lock nut (if equipped)
2. Absorber nut
3. Body outside
REAR SUSPENSION 3E-5
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
SHOCK ABSORBER
The shock absorber is non-adjustable, non-refillable, and cannot
be disassembled. The only service the shock absorber requires is
replacement when it has lost its resistance, is damaged, or leaking
fluid.
REMOVAL
1) Hoist vehicle and remove rear wheel.
2) Support rear axle housing by using floor jack to prevent it from
lowering.
3) Remove lock nut (if equipped) and absorber nut.
4) Remove lower mounting bolt.
5) Remove shock absorber.
INSTALLATION
1) Install shock absorber. Refer to figure for proper installing direc-
tion of lower mounting bolt.
2) Remove floor jack.
3) Lower hoist.
4) Tighten nuts to specified torque.
NOTE:

Tighten lower nut with vehicle off hoist and in non-loaded
condition.
Tightening Torque
(a): 29 N
.m (2.9 kg-m, 21.0 lb-ft)
(b): 85 N
.m (8.5 kg-m. 61.5 lb-ft)