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
3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-1
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIRE DIAGNOSIS3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Irregular and / or Premature Wear 3-6. . . . . . .
Wear Indicator 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radial Tire Waddle 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radial Tire Lead 3-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
DIAGNOSIS3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT END ALIGNMENT3A-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
POWER STEERING SYSTEM3B1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN3C1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT SUSPENSION3D-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REAR SUSPENSION3E-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHEELS AND TIRES3F-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS
Since the problems in steering, suspension, wheels and tires involve several systems, they must all be considered
when diagnosing a complaint. To avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first.
Proceed with the following preliminary inspections and correct any defects which are found.
1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for loose or damaged parts.
3) Spin front wheel. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loose and / or rough wheel bear-
ings.
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Vehicle Pulls (Leads)Mismatched or uneven tires.
Tires not adequately inflated.
Broken or sagging springs.
Radial tire lateral force.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Disturbed rear axle alignment.
Brake dragging in one road wheel.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Replace tire.
Adjust tire pressure.
Replace spring.
Replace tire.
Check front end alignment.
Check rear axle alignment.
Repair front brake.
Tighten or replace suspension part.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-2 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Abnormal or
Excessive Tire WearSagging or broken springs.
Tire out of balance.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Faulty shock absorber.
Hard driving.
Overloaded vehicle.
Tires not rotating.
Worn or loose road wheel bearings.
Wobbly wheel or tires.
Tires not adequately inflated.Replace spring.
Adjust balance or replace tire.
Check front end alignment.
Replace shock absorber.
Replace tire.
Replace tire.
Replace or rotate tire.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace wheel or tire.
Adjust the pressure.
Wheel TrampBlister or bump on tire.
Improper shock absorber action.Replace tire.
Replace shock absorber.
Shimmy, Shake or
VibrationTire or wheel out of balance.
Loose wheel bearings.
Worn tie rod ends.
Worn lower ball joints.
Excessive wheel runout.
Blister or bump on tire.
Excessively loaded radial runout of
tire / wheel assembly.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Loose or worn tie-rod end.
Loose steering gear case bolts.Balance wheels or replace tire and /
or wheel.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace front suspension control
arm.
Repair or replace wheel and / or tire.
Replace tire.
Replace tire or wheel.
Check front end alignment.
Tighten or replace tie-rod end.
Tighten case bolts.
Hard SteeringBind in tie rod end ball studs or
lower ball joints.
Disturbed front end alignment.
Rack and pinion not properly adjusted.
(if equipped with manual steering gear
case)
Tire not adequately inflated.
Bind in steering column.
Low fluid level, loose drive belt or
malfunction of power steering system.
(if equipped with P / S)Replace tie rod end or front
suspension control arm.
Check front end alignment.
Check and adjust steering gear box.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Repair or replace.
Check and correct.
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
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VITARA
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-5
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Body Leans or Sways
in CornersLoose stabilizer bar.
Faulty shock absorbers, struts
or mounting.
Broken or sagging springs.
Overloaded.Tighten stabilizer bar bolts or
replace bushes.
Replace shock absorber, strut or
tighten mounting.
Replace spring.
Check loading.
Cupped TiresFront struts defective.
Worn wheel bearings.
Excessive tire or wheel run-out.
Worn ball joints.
Tire out of balance.Replace strut.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tire or wheel disc.
Replace front suspension control
arm.
Adjust tire balance.
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Suction connector
2. O-ring
3. Pressure switch
4. Flow control valve
(Relief valve)
5. Spring
6. Plug
7. Pump cover
8. Cam ring
9. Vane
10. Rotor
11. Snap ring
12. Side plate
13. Pulley (pump shaft)
14. Oil seal
15. Pump body
16. Flow control valve Assembly
3B1-4 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
POWER STEERING (P / S) PUMP
The power steering pump is a vane type and is driven by the V-ribbed belt from the crankshaft.
ModelVane type
Hydraulic
pressure
controlRelieved
pressure
6500 kPa (65 kg / cm2, 924 psi)
G16 Type engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7000 kPa (70 kg / cm
2, 995 psi)
J20 Type engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7350 kPa (73.5 kg / cm
2, 1045 psi)
H25 Type engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ControlFlow control valve
deviceRelief valve
Power steering
pressure switch
Switch turns on (closes) when the
pressure is higher than 2500 ± 3500 kPa
(25 ± 35 kg / cm
2, 356 ± 498 psi).
ECM uses this signal for idle speed control.
Capacity0.70 ± 0.75
(1.48 / 1.23 ± 1.58 / 1.32 US / Imp. pt)
Specified fluidDEXRONII, DEXRONIII A / T fluid
or equivalent
FLOW CONTROL VALVE
As the discharge rate of the P/S pump increases in proportion to the
pump revolution speed, a flow control valve is added to control it so
that the optimum amount of fluid for steering operation is supplied
according to the engine speed (driving condition).
Described below is its operation at different engine speed.