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1. Mounting bolt
1. Driver air bag (inflator) module connector
2. Horn connector
3. Driver air bag (inflator) module
4. Steering wheel
3C1-4 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
DRIVE AIR BAG (INFLATOR) MODULE
WARNING:
When handling an air bag (inflator) module, be sure to read
ªSERVICE PRECAUTIONSº under ªON-VEHICLE SERVICEº
in Section 10B and observe each instruction. Failure to fol-
low them could cause a damage to the air bag (inflator) mod-
ule or result in personal injury.
REMOVAL
1) Disconnect negative battery cable at battery terminal.
2) Disable air bag system. Refer to ªDISABLING AIR BAG SYS-
TEMº under ªSERVICE PRECAUTIONSº in Section 10B.
3) Loosen 2 bolts mounting driver air bag (inflator) module till it
turns freely, pull them out and fix them to bolt clamps.
4) Remove air bag (inflator) module from steering wheel.
5) Remove driver air bag (inflator) module (yellow) connector and
horn connector from steering wheel.
6) Disconnect driver air bag (inflator) module (yellow) connector of
driver air bag (inflator) module and horn connector as shown in
the figure.
ii) Release locking of lever.
ii) After unlocked, disconnect connector.
WARNING:
Special care is necessary when handling and storing a
live (undeployed) air bag (inflator) module. Observe
ªSERVICE PRECAUTIONSº under ªON-VEHICLE SER-
VICEº in Section 10B. Otherwise, personal injury may re-
sult.
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1
1. Steering column hole cover 1. Steering column cover screw
2. Steering column upper cover
3. Steering column lower cover: Standard screw
: Tapping screw
*
* *
AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C1-9
3) Connect all connectors that have been removed in removal.
4) Install steering column upper and lower cover, and then tighten
steering column cover screws.
CAUTION:
When installing lower cover and upper cover, be careful
so that contact coil and combination switch lead wire is
not caught between covers.
5) Install steering column hole cover.
6) Install steering wheel to steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING
WHEELº in this section.
STEERING COLUMN
CAUTION:
Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the
column is extremely susceptible to damage.
Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse
the steering shaft or loosen the plastic shear pins which
maintain column length leaning on the column assembly
could cause it to bend or deform.
Any of the above damage could impair the column's col-
lapsible design.
When loosening steering column mounting bolts, make
sure that steering column assembly and steering shaft low-
er assembly have been separated. Loosening them with
steering column assembly and steering shaft lower assem-
bly assembled could cause damage to bearing in steering
shaft lower assembly.
NOTE:
When servicing steering column or any column-mounted
component, remove steering wheel. But when removing steer-
ing column simply to gain access to instrument panel compo-
nents, leave steering wheel installed on steering column.
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AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C1-11
1. Steering column
2. Steering column mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
1. Shift (key) interlock cable
2. Screw
1. Capsule
2. Steering column bracket
3. Plate
1. Steering column assembly ªaº
8) Remove steering column mounting bolts (6 pieces).
9) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, remove shift (key)
interlock cable screw and then disconnect its cable from igni-
tion switch.
10) Remove steering column from vehicle.
INSPECTION
NOTE:
Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage,
where steering column has been impacted or air bag
deployed, may have a damaged or misaligned steering col-
umn.
CHECKING PROCEDURE
1) Check that two capsules are attached to steering column brack-
et securely. Check clearance between capsules and steering
column bracket. Clearance should be 0 mm (0 in.) on both sides.
If found loose or clearance, replace steering column assembly.
2) Check two plates for any damages such as crack or breakage.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering column assembly.
3) Take measurement ªaº as shown. If it is shorter than specified
length, replace column assembly with new one.
Length ªaº: 895 0.8 mm (35.24 0.03 in.)
Page 196 of 801

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1. Steering column
2. Mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
4. Dash panel
1. Steering column lower seal
In engine room
In cabin
1. Shift (key) interlock cable
2. Screw
3C1-12 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
4) Check steering column lower seal for breakage or deformation.
If found defective, replace.
5) Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as
crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering lower shaft assem-
bly or steering column assembly.
6) Check steering shaft for smooth rotation.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
7) Check steering shaft and column for bend, cracks or deforma-
tion.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION:
After tightening steering column mounting bolts, steering
shaft joint bolts should be tightened.
1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-
ahead position.
2) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, install shift (key) inter-
lock cable to ignition switch.
Tightening Torque
(a): 2.2 N
.m (0.22 kg-m, 1.6 lb-ft)
3) Install steering column assembly to dash panel and upper
bracket so that boss of steering column lower seal and all around
it project out of hole in dash panel into engine room. Tighten
steering column lower bolts (4 pieces) first and then upper bolts
(2 pieces) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(b): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)
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3C1-14 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
1. Steering column
2. Steering lock 1
2
1. Center punch (with sharp point)
2. Steering lock mounting bolt
1. Steering column
2. Steering shaft
STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY (IGNITION
SWITCH)
REMOVAL
1) Remove steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in
this section.
2) Using center punch as shown, loosen and remove steering lock
mounting bolts.
NOTE:
Use care not to damage aluminum part of steering lock
body with center punch.
3) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and remove steering
lock assembly from steering column.
INSTALLATION
1) Position oblong hole of steering shaft in the center of hole in col-
umn.
2) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and install steering
lock assembly onto column.
3) Now turn ignition key to ªLOCKº position and pull it out.
4) Align hub on lock with oblong hole of steering shaft and rotate
shaft to assure that steering shaft is locked.
5) Tighten new bolts until head of each bolt is broken off.
6) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and check to be sure
that steering shaft rotates smoothly. Also check for lock opera-
tion.
7) Install steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in this
section.
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3D-6 FRONT SUSPENSION
1. Strut tower bar
1. E-ring
1. Front wheel speed sensor harness clamp bolt
1. Strut bracket bolts
2. Lower arm
3. Jack
1. Strut support nuts
STRUT DAMPER
REMOVAL
1) Remove strut tower bar (if equipped).
2) Hoist vehicle, allowing front suspension to hang free.
3) Remove wheel.
4) Remove E-ring securing brake hose and take brake hose off
strut bracket as shown.
5) If equipped with ABS, remove front wheel speed sensor harness
clamp bolt.
6) Remove strut bracket bolts, then support lower arm with jack.
7) Remove strut support nuts.
Hold strut by hand so that it will not fall off.
8) Remove strut.
Page 210 of 801
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3D-8 FRONT SUSPENSION
1. Circlip
2. Washer
1. Wire
1. Front wheel
speed sensor
2. Harness clamp bolt
COIL SPRING
REMOVAL
1) Hoist vehicle, allowing front suspension to hang free.
2) Remove wheels.
3) Remove axle shaft drive flange (For 4WD vehicle).
4) Remove front drive shaft circlip and washer (For 4WD vehicle).
5) Remove caliper bolts and suspend caliper with a wire hook.
CAUTION:
Hang removed caliper with a wire hook so as to prevent
brake hose from bending and twisting excessively or be-
ing pulled.
Don't operate brake pedal with pads removed.
6) If equipped with ABS, remove harness clamp bolt and remove
front wheel speed sensor from knuckle.
CAUTION:
Do not pull wire harness when removing front wheel
speed sensor.
Do not cause damage to surface of front wheel speed
sensor and do not allow dust, etc. to enter its installa-
tion hole.
7) Remove brake disc.
NOTE:
If brake disc can not be removed by hand, use 8 mm bolts
as shown.
Page 211 of 801
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VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-9
1. Coil spring
8) Remove stabilizer bar, refer to steps 2) to 5) of item STABILIZ-
ER BAR / BUSHINGS REMOVAL in this section.
9) Disconnect tie rod end from knuckle by using puller.
10) Support lower arm, using jack as shown.
11) Remove strut bracket bolts.
12) Remove ball stud castle nut.
13) Using puller, disconnect knuckle from ball stud.
14) Remove knuckle and wheel hub comp, while lowering jack.
15) Remove coil spring.