2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Pin

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
[A]
[B]

Hard Cornering

Under-Inflation

Lack of Rotation
Incorrect Wheel Alignment

Tire Construction Non-Uniformity

Wheel Heavy Acceleration [A] [B]
3-6 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
TIRE DIAGNOSIS
IRREGULAR AND / OR PREMATURE WEAR
Irregular and premature wear has many possible causes. Some of
them are: incorrect inflation pressures, lack of tire rotation, driving
habits, improper alignment.
If the following conditions are noted, rotation is in order:
1. Front tire wear is different from rear.
2. Uneven wear exists across the tread of any tire.
3. Left front and right front tire wear is unequal.
4. Left rear and right rear tire wear is unequal.
5. There is cupping, flat spotting, etc.
A wheel alignment check is in order if the following conditions are
noted:
1. Left front and right front tire wear is unequal.
2. Wear is uneven across the tread of any front tire.
3. Front tire treads have scuffed appearance with ªfeatherº edges
on one side of tread ribs or blocks.
WEAR INDICATOR
The original equipment tires have built-in tread wear indicators to
show when tires need replacement. These indicators will appear as
12 mm (0.47 in.) wide bands when the tire tread depth becomes 1.6
mm (0.063 in.). When the indicators appear in 3 or more grooves
at 6 locations, tire replacement is recommended.
RADIAL TIRE WADDLE
Waddle is side to side movement at the front and / or rear of the ve-
hicle. It is caused by the steel belt not being straight within the tire.
It is most noticeable at low speed, 8 to 48 km / h (5 to 30 mph). It is
possible to road test a vehicle and tell on which end of the vehicle
the faulty tire is located. If the waddle tire is on the rear, the rear end
of the vehicle will shake from side to side or ªwaddleº. From the driv-
er's seat it feels as though someone is pushing on the side of the
vehicle. If the faulty tire is on the front, the waddle is more visual.
The front sheet metal appears to be moving back and forth and the
driver feels as though he is at the pivot point in the vehicle.
Waddle can be quickly diagnosed by using a Tire Problem Detector
(TPD) and following the equipment manufacturer's recommenda-
tions.
If a TPD is not available, the more time consuming method of sub-
stituting known good tire / wheel assemblies on the problem vehicle
can be used as follows:

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Power steering gear box
2. Power steering pump
3. P / S fluid reservoir
1. Power steering pump
2. Valve section
3. P / S fluid reservoir
4. Rack
5. Pinion
6. Cylinder
3B1-2 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
The power steering (P / S) system in this vehicle reduces the driver's effort needed in turning the steering wheel
by utilizing the hydraulic pressure generated by the power steering (P / S) pump which is driven by the engine.
It is an integral type with the rack and pinion gears and the control valve unit, hydraulic pressure cylinder unit all
built in the steering gear box.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Pin
2. Stub shaft (Rotor)
3. Torsion bar
4. Sleeve
5. Bearing
6. Pinion
7. Gear box
8. Rack
9. Ferrule
10. Valve case
POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM 3B1-3
STEERING GEAR BOX
The steering gear box consists of two sections: one including a cyl-
inder and the other a valve. Main components of the cylinder sec-
tion are a gear box, a rack and a tube and those of the valve section
are a valve case, a sleeve and a stub shaft. The sleeve is linked with
the pinion through a pin and the valve and stub shaft are integrated
into one unit. Then the pinion and the stub shaft are linked to each
other by means of the torsion bar.
Thus, when the stub shaft moves, the valve changes its position,
thereby switching the hydraulic passage from the pump to the cylin-
der to help steering operation.
When turning the steering wheel feels heavy due to P / S fluid leak-
age or for some other reason (i.e., when in the manual steering
mode), the stub shaft and pinion are in direct linkage and the force
is output directly through the pinion and rack.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM 3B1-5
DIAGNOSIS
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS TABLE
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Steering wheel
feels heavy
(at low speed)
Fluid deteriorated, low viscosity, different
type of fluid mixed

Pipes or hoses deformed, air entering
through joint

Insufficient air purging from P / S circuit

P / S belt worn, lacking in tension

Tire inflation pressure excessively low

Front end alignment out of order

Steering wheel installed improperly (twisted)

Bind in tie rod or tie rod end ball joint

P / S pump hydraulic pressure fails to increase

P / S pump hydraulic pressure increases
but slowly

Steering gear box malfunctionReplace fluid.
Replace defective part.
Purge air.
Adjust belt tension or replace
belt as necessary.
Inflate tire.
Check and adjust front end
alignment.
Install steering wheel correctly.
Replace defective part.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Replace gear box.
Steering wheel
feels heavy
momentarily when
turning it to the
left or right
Air drawn in due to insufficient amount
of fluid

Slipping P / S belt

P / S pump hydraulic pressure fails to
increase

P / S pump hydraulic pressure increases
but slowly

Steering gear box malfunctionAdd fluid and purge air.
Adjust belt tension or replace
belt as necessary.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Replace gear box.
Poor recovery
from turnsNOTE:
To check steering wheel for recovery, with vehicle running at 22 mile / h (35 km / h),
turn steering wheel 90 and let it free. It should return more than 60.

Deformed pipes or hoses

Steering column installed improperly

Front end alignment out of order

Ball joints binding

P / S pump hydraulic pressure fails to
increase

P / S pump hydraulic pressure increases
but slowly

Steering gear box malfunctionReplace defective part.
Install steering column correctly.
Check and adjust front end
alignment.
Replace defective part.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Check pressure and repair or
replace defective part.
Replace gear box.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3B1-6 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
ConditionPossible CauseCorrection
Vehicle pulls to
one side during
straight driving
Mismatched or uneven tire

Low or uneven tire inflation pressure

Brake dragging in one wheel

Front end alignment out of order

Rear end alignment out of order

Malfunction of control valve in gear boxReplace tire.
Inflate tires to proper pressure or
adjust right & left tires inflation
pressure.
Repair.
Check and adjust front end
alignment.
Check and adjust rear end
alignment.
Replace gear box.
Steering wheel
play is large and
vehicle wanders
Refer to ªDiagnosisº in Section 3.
Fluid leakage
Loose joints of (hydraulic pressure)
pipes and hoses

Deformed or damaged pipes or hosesRetighten.
Replace defective part.
Abnormal noise
Air drawn in due to insufficient amount of fluid

Air mixed into fluid from pipes or hoses

Slipping (loose) P / S belt

Worn P / S belt

Loose gear box fastening bolt

Loose linkage or joints

Pipes or hoses in contact with part of
vehicle body

Vanes of P / S pump defective

Malfunction of control valve in gear box

Bearing of P / S pump shaft defectiveAdd fluid and purge air.
Replace pipes or hoses.
Adjust belt tension.
Replace belt.
Retighten bolts.
Retighten.
Install pipes and hoses correctly.
Replace defective part.
Replace gear box.
Replace bearing.
No idle up
Power steering pressure switch defectiveReplace power steering
pressure switch.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM 3B1-7
STEERING WHEEL
STEERING WHEEL PLAY CHECK
Check steering wheel for looseness or rattle by trying to move it in
its shaft direction and lateral direction.
If found defective, repair or replace.
Check steering wheel for play, holding car in straight forward condi-
tion on the ground and with engine stopped.
Steering wheel play ªaº: 0 ± 30 mm (0 ± 1.2 in.)
If steering wheel play is not within specification, inspect as follows
and replace if found defective.

Tie-rod end ball stud for wear

Lower ball joint for wear

Steering shaft joint for wear

Steering pinion or rack gear for wear or breakage

Each part for looseness
STEERING FORCE CHECK
1) Place vehicle on level road and set steering wheel at straight-
ahead position.
2) Check that tire inflation pressure is as specified. (Refer to tire
placard.)
3) Start engine and keep it running till power steering fluid is
warmed to 50 to 60C (122 to 140F).
4) With engine idling, measure steering force by pulling spring ba-
lancer hooked on steering wheel in tangential direction.
Steering force: Less than 50 N (5.0 kg, 11.0 lb)
POWER STEERING FLUID
POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL CHECK
With engine stopped, check fluid level indicated on P / S fluid reser-
voir, which should be between ªMAXº and ªMINº marks. If it is lower
than ªMINº mark, fill fluid up to ªMAXº mark.
NOTE:

Be sure to use an specified power steering fluid.

Fluid level should be checked when fluid is cool.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. P / S fluid reservoir
2. Attachment
3. Gasket4. Union bolt
5. High pressure side
6. Low pressure side
1. P / S fluid reservoir
2. Gauge valve (open)
3. P / S pump4. P / S gear box
5. High pressure side
6. Low pressure side
3B1-10 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN P / S CIRCUIT
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CHECK
1) After cleaning joint of high pressure hose and P / S pump thor-
oughly, disconnect hose from pump and install special tool (oil
pressure gauge, attachment and hose).
Tighten each flare nut to specified torque.
CAUTION:
Take care not to cause damage to A / C condenser during
service operation, if equipped.
Special Tool
(A): 09915-77410 (Oil pressure gauge)
(B): 09915-77420
2) Check each connection for fluid leakage and bleed air.
Refer to ªAIR BLEEDING PROCEDUREº in this section.
3) With engine idling, turn steering wheel and warm up engine till
temperature of fluid in P/S fluid reservoir rises to 50 ± 60
C (122
± 140
F).
4) Check back pressure by measuring hydraulic pressure with en-
gine idling and hands off steering wheel.
Back pressure: Lower than 1000 kPa (10 kg / cm
2, 142 psi)
When back pressure is higher than specified values, check con-
trol valve and piping for clogging.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering gear box mounting bolts
1. Mark
2. Gear case
3. Pinion shaft
POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM 3B1-15
7) Remove steering gear box mounting bolts and then remove
steering gear box from vehicle.
Steering gear box found to be in defective condition should be
replaced with a new one.
CAUTION:
Never disassemble P / S gear box. If perform this prohib-
ited service, it will affect original performance.
INSTALLATION
Reverse removal procedure for installation of steering gear box
noting the following points.

After confirming that front tire is in straight position, install steering
gear box to body temporarily. Next, with tie-rod end installed to
knuckle, set rack in position close to neutral. Then obtain the neu-
tral state by aligning match marks on pinion shaft and steering
gear case and insert steering lower joint into pinion shaft.
CAUTION:
Be sure to confirm that steering wheel and front tires
(wheels) are in straight position when inserting steering
lower joint into steering pinion shaft.

If a plug was put to disconnected pipe when removing steering
gear box, remove that plug before reconnecting pipe.

Use specified torque as given below.
Tightening Torque
(a): 25 N
.m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
(b): 40 N
.m (4.0 kg-m, 29.0 lb-ft)
(c): 25 N
.m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
(d): 55 N
.m (5.5 kg-m, 40.0 lb-ft)

After installation, be sure to fill specified power steering fluid and
bleed air.

Check toe setting. Adjust as required. (Refer to Front End Align-
ment.)