2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA axle

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3F
WHEELS AND TIRES 3F-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3F- 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 3F- 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 3F- 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement Tires 3F- 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels Replacement 3F- 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Metric Lug Nuts and Wheel Studs 3F- 2. . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3F- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3F- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balancing Wheels 3F- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
ADJUSTMENTS3F- 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel and Tire 3F- 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3F- 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel 3F- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire 3F- 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS3F- 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3F
WHEELS AND TIRES
NOTE:
All wheel fasteners are important attaching parts in that they 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 as-
sure proper retention of all parts.
There is to be no welding as it may result in extensive damage and weakening of the metal.
CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
TIRES
This vehicle is equipped with following tire. P215 / 65 R16, 215 / 65 R16 or 235 / 60 R16
The tires are of tubeless type. The tires are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to the full rated load
capacity when inflated to the recommended inflation pressure.
Correct tire pressures and driving habits have an important influence on tire life. Heavy cornering, excessively rapid
acceleration, and unnecessary sharp braking increase tire wear.
WHEELS
Standard equipment wheels are following steel wheel. 16
6 1 / 2 J or 16
7JJ
REPLACEMENT TIRES
When replacement is necessary, the original equipment type tire should be used. Refer to the Tire Placard. Re-
placement tires should be of the same size, load range and construction as those originally on the vehicle. Use
of any other size or type tire may affect ride, handling, speedometer / odometer calibration, vehicle ground clear-
ance and tire or snow chain clearance to the body and chassis.
NOTE:
Do not mix different types of tires on the same vehicle such as radial, bias and bias-belted tires except in
emergencies, because vehicle handling may be seriously affected and may result in loss of control.
It is recommended that new tires be installed in pairs on the same axle. If necessary to replace only one tire, it
should be paired with the tire having the most tread, to equalize braking traction.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Paint
3F-4 WHEELS AND TIRES
Higher than Recommended Pressure Can Cause:
1. Hard ride
2. Tire bruising or carcass damage
3. Rapid tread wear at center of tire
Unequal Pressure on Same Axle Can Cause:
1. Uneven braking
2. Steering lead
3. Reduced handling
4. Swerve on acceleration
Valve caps should be kept on valves to keep dust and
water out.Lower than Recommended Pressure Can Cause:
1. Tire squeal on turns
2. Hard steering
3. Rapid and uneven wear on the edges of the tread
4. Tire rim bruises and rupture
5. Tire cord breakage
6. High tire temperatures
7. Reduced handling
8. High fuel consumption
MAINTENANCE AND MINOR ADJUSTMENTS
WHEEL AND TIRE
Wheel repairs that use welding, heating, or peening are not approved. All damaged wheels should be replaced.
STUDS
If a broken stud is found, see Section 3E (rear) or Section 3D (front) for Note and Replacement procedure.
MATCHED TIRES AND WHEELS
(For vehicle equipped with steel wheels)
Tires and wheels are matchmounted at the assembly plant.
This means that the radially stiffest part of the tire, or ªhigh spotº, is
matched to the smallest radius or ªlow spotº of the wheel.
This is done to provide the smoothest possible ride.
The ªhigh spotº of the tire is originally marked by paint dot on the
outboard sidewall. This paint dot will eventually wash off the tire.
The ªlow spotº of the wheel is originally marked by paint dot on the
wheel rim-flange. Properly assembled, the wheel rims' paint dot
should be aligned with the tires' paint dot as shown in left figure.
Whenever a tire is dismounted from its wheel, it should be re-
mounted so that the tire and wheel are matched. If the tire's paint
dot cannot be located, a line should be scribed on the tire and wheel
before dismounting to assure that it is remounted in the same posi-
tion.
INFLATION OF TIRES
The pressure recommended for any model is carefully calculated to give a satisfactory ride, stability, steering, tread
wear, tire life and resistance to bruises.
Tire pressure, with tires cold, (after vehicle has set for three hours or more, or driven less than one mile) should
be checked monthly or before any extended trip. Set to the specifications on the tire placard located on the side
of instrument panel.
It is normal for tire pressure increase when the tires become hot during driving. Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure
after driving. Bleeding reduces the ªCold Inflation Pressureº.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Oil filler / level plug
2. Front drain plug
1. Circlip
2. Washer
1. Drive shaft flange
bolts and nuts
1. Oil seal
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL 4A2-3
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
DRIVE SHAFT
REMOVAL (LEFT SIDE)
1) Hoist vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Remove axle shaft drive flange.
3) Remove drive shaft circlip and front spindle thrust washer.
4) Remove drive shaft flange bolts and nuts.
5) Remove drive shaft assembly to differential side as shown in left
figure.
CAUTION:
To prevent breakage of boots (wheel side and differential
side), be careful not to bring them into contact with other
parts when removing drive shaft assembly.
6) Remove drive shaft thrust washer (vehicle with G16 or J20 en-
gine) from drive shaft and remove drive shaft oil seal as shown
in figure.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to cause damage to drive shaft joint.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Oil filler / level plug
2. Front drain plug
1. Circlip
2. Washer
1. Differential side joint
2. Tire lever
3. Front differential assembly
1. Oil seal 2
1
4A2-4 FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL
REMOVAL (RIGHT SIDE)
1) Hoist vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Drain differential gear oil.
3) Remove axle shaft drive flange.
4) Remove circlip and front spindle thrust washer.
5) Remove knuckle and wheel hub comp, refer to steps 5) to 7) and
9) to 14) of item COIL SPRING REMOVAL in Section 3D.
6) Remove drive shaft assembly.
To detach snap ring fitted on the spline of differential side joint
(inboard joint) from differential side gear, pull inboard joint by us-
ing a tire lever.
CAUTION:
To prevent breakage of boots (wheel side and differential
side), be careful not to bring them into contact with other
parts when removing drive shaft assembly.
7) Remove drive shaft thrust washer (to vehicle with G16 or J20 en-
gine) from drive shaft and remove drive shaft oil seal as shown
in figure.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to cause damage to drive shaft joint.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Drive shaft oil seal
1. Drive shaft flange bolt and nut
2. Front spindle thrust washer
3. Axle shaft drive flange
ªAº
1. Drive shaft joint
2. Oil seal
3. Pipe
4. Thrust washer4
4A2-8 FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL
INSTALLATION
Install drive shaft assembly by reversing removal procedure and
noting following points.

Clean front drive shaft oil seal and then apply lithium grease to oil
seal and DOJ shaft.
ªAº: Grease 99000-25010

Check oil seal for breakage or deterioration.
Replace it as necessary.

Drive in oil seal until its end contacts stepped surface of drive
shaft joint by using a pipe whose inner diameter is 76 mm (2.992
in.) or more and outer diameter is 80 mm (3.150 in.) or less.
Diameter ªaº: 76 mm (2.992 in.) or more
Diameter ªbº: 80 mm (3.150 in.) or less

Drive in drive shaft thrust washer (Vehicle with G16 or J20 en-
gine).

RH Side
Push differential side joint by hand until it is positioned by snap
ring fitted to its spline.
LH Side
Connect drive shaft flange bolts and nuts.
Tightening Torque
(a): 50 N
.m (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 lb-ft)

Apply grease to front spindle thrust washer and front spindle part
of drive shaft.
ªAº: Grease 99000-25010

When installing axle shaft drive flange to wheel hub, apply sealant
to mating surface of axle shaft drive flange.
ªBº: Sealant 99000-31090
Tightening Torque
(b): 50 N
.m (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 lb-ft)
CAUTION:

To prevent breakage of boots (wheel side and differen-
tial side), be careful not to bring them into contact with
other parts when installing drive shaft assembly.

Do not pull housing of differential side joint.
If housing is pulled, it may be detached from drive shaft.

Fill specified differential gear oil into differential case to specified
level.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Left drive shaft
2. Tire lever
1. Shaft bearing1. Axle oil seal
2. Circlip
3. Axle bearing
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL 4A2-9
SHAFT BEARING / OIL SEAL
REMOVAL
1) Remove drive shaft assembly.
Refer to item DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL (LEFT and RIGHT) in
this section.
For right side shaft bearing / oil seal removal, drain differential
gear oil.
2) Remove left drive shaft by using tire lever.
3) Remove left side strut. Refer to steps 1) and 4) to 8) of item
STRUT DAMPER REMOVAL in Section 3D.
4) Remove oil seal, using plain screw driver.
5) Remove circlip.
6) Remove bearing, using special tools (A) and (B).
Special Tool
(A): 09941-64510
(B): 09930-30102

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
ªAº
1. Shaft bearing
1. Shaft oil seal
2. Right side
3. Left side
4A2-10 FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL
INSTALLATION
1) Clean drive shaft oil seal and then apply lithium grease.
ªAº: Grease 99000-25010
Check oil seal for breakage or deterioration.
Replace it as necessary.
2) Drive in drive shaft bearing with special tool (A) (on left hand
side).
Special Tool
(A): 09913-75520
3) Install circlip.
4) Drive in oil seal with special tools (B) and (C).
Special Tool
(B): 09951-16090
(C): 09924-74510
NOTE:
As depth to which oil seal should be driven into axle hous-
ing is different between the left and right, be sure to check
stamped marks on special tool (B) and drive each oil seal to
corresponding mark.
5) Install left drive shaft.
6) Install left side strut. Refer to steps 1) to 2) of item STRUT
DUMPER INSTALLATION in Section 3D.
7) Install drive shaft assembly.
Refer to DRIVE SHAFT INSTALLATION in this section.
8) Fill specified differential gear oil into differential case to specified
level.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT / SHAFT BEARING, OIL SEAL 4A2-11
09913-75520
Bearing installer09924-74510
Installer attachment09930-30102
Sliding shaft09941-64510
Bearing remover
09951-16090
Oil seal installer
TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
FasteningpartsTightening torqueFastening artsN.mkg-mlb-ft
Drive shaft flange nut (Dif. side)505.036.5
Oil level plug232.317.0
Drain plug232.317.0
Axle shaft drive flange bolt484.835.0
NOTE:
Refer to standard tightening torque specifications, if no description or specification is provided.
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIALS
MATERIALRECOMMENDED
SUZUKI PRODUCTUSE
Joint grease
(Molybdenum grease)SUZUKI SUPER GREASE H
(99000-25120)Drive axle joint
Lithium greaseSUZUKI SUPER GREASE A
(99000-25010)Drive shaft oil seal
Wheel spindle part of differential side
drive shaft (RH)
SealantSEALING COMPOUND 366E
(99000-31090)Axle shaft drive flange
SPECIAL TOOLS