2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA axle

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
(a)
1. Axle shaft drive flange
2. Bolt1. Hub cap
2. Wheel hub
3D-20 FRONT SUSPENSION

Tighten control arm ball stud nut
When tightening ball stud nut, use new nut and tighten it to speci-
fied torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 60 N
.m (6.0 kg-m, 43.5 lb-ft)

For 2WD vehicle
Apply water tight sealant to mating surface of wheel hub and
install hub cap to wheel hub.
ªAº: Sealant 99000-31090

For 4WD vehicle
When installing axle shaft drive flange to wheel hub, apply sealant
to mating surface of axle shaft drive flange.
ªAº: Sealant 99000-31090
Tightening Torque
(a): 50 N
.m (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 lb-ft)

For installation procedures of wheel hub component, refer to
ªWHEEL HUB (INCLUDED WHEEL BEARING)º in this section.

Connect tie-rod end to knuckle and tighten new tie-rod end nut.
Tightening Torque
(a): 43 N
.m (4.3 kg-m, 31.5 lb-ft)

For any tightening torque other than those specified in text, refer
to ªTIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONº in this section.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D-24 FRONT SUSPENSION
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIALS
MATERIALSRECOMMENDED
SUZUKI PRODUCTUSENO.
Lithium greaseSUZUKI SUPER GREASE (A)
(99000-25010)
Bearing inner oil seal / drive shaft oil seal
Recess of wheel spindles
Spindle outer washer
Spindle part of drive shaft
Spindle bush (inside and flange part)
Spindle inner washera
b
c
d
e
f
SealantSUZUKI BOND NO. 1215
(99000-31110)Mating surfaces of wheel spindle
and knuckle1
Sealing compound
SUZUKI SEALING COM-
POUND 366E
(99000-31090)
Front axle cap
Mating surfaces of wheel hub and drive
flange
Knuckle cap
Hub capA
B
C
D

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)

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Parking brake
cable hanger
2. Cross member
3. Clamp
4. Chassis frame1. Rear axle housing
2. Floor jack
1. Shock absorber
2. Lower bolt
1. Clamp
2. Upper rod
3E-6 REAR SUSPENSION
COIL SPRING
REMOVAL
1) Hoist vehicle and remove rear wheel.
2) Support rear axle housing by using floor jack.
3) Disconnect parking brake cable hanger from chassis frame and
clamp from cross member.
4) Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
5) Remove wheel speed sensor clamps from upper rod and axle
housing, if equipped with ABS.
For right side, remove E-ring for fixing brake pipe from cross
member and disconnect breather hose from axle housing.
6) Lower rear axle housing gradually as far down as where coil
spring can be removed.
7) Remove coil spring.