Alignment SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2001 2.G Service User Guide

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3A
Alignment service data (without load)
Toe-in (Toe-in gauge measurement)
ªBº ± ªAº: 0
2 mm (0
0.08 in.)
Camber angle ªCº: 0'
1

Caster: 2
40'
1

*1. Forward
*2. Body center[A] : Top view
[B] : Front view
1. Center line of wheel
FRONT END ALIGNMENT 3A-1
SECTION 3A
FRONT END ALIGNMENT
CONTENTS
DIAGNOSIS3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GENERAL INFORMATION3A-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toe-Setting3A-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Camber3A-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preliminary Checks Prior to Adjusting Front Alignment 3A-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toe Adjustment3A-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Camber and Caster Adjustment 3A-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Angle3A-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GENERAL INFORMATION
Front alignment refers to the angular relationship between the front wheels, the front suspension attaching parts
and the ground. Generally, the only adjustment required for front alignment is toe setting.
Camber and caster can't be adjusted. Therefore, should camber or caster be out of specification due to the damage
caused by hazardous road conditions or collision, whether the damage is in body or in suspension should be deter-
mined. If the body is damaged, it should be repaired and if suspension is damaged, it should replaced.
TOE SETTING
Toe is the turning in or out of the front wheels. The purpose of a toe specification is to ensure parallel rolling of the
front wheels (Excessive toe-in or toe-out may increase tire wear).
Amount of toe can be obtained by subtracting ªAº front ªBº as shown in above figure and therefore is given in mm
(in.).

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3A-2 FRONT END ALIGNMENT
CAMBER
Camber is the tilting of the front wheels from the vertical, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. When the wheels
tilt outward at the top, the camber is positive. When the wheels tilt inward at the top, the camber is negative. The
amount of tilt is measured in degrees.
PRELIMINARY CHECKS PRIOR TO ADJUSTING FRONT ALIGNMENT
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. An additional item to be checked
is the possibility of tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. ªLeadº is the deviation of the vehicle from
a straight path on a level road without hand pressure on the steering wheel.
Section 3 of this manual contains a procedure for determining the presence of a tire lead problem.
Before making any adjustment affecting toe setting, the following checks and inspections should be made to en-
sure correctness of alignment readings and alignment adjustments:
1) Check all tires for proper inflation pressures and approximately the same tread wear.
2) Check for loose ball joints. Check tie rod ends; if excessive looseness is noted, it must be corrected before ad-
justing.
3) Check for run-out of wheels and tires.
4) Check vehicle trim heights; if out of limits and a correction is to be made, it must be made before adjusting toe.
5) Check for loose control arms.
6) Check for loose or missing stabilizer bar attachments.
7) Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes. If this excess load is normally carried in ve-
hicle, it should remain in vehicle during alignment checks.
8) Consider condition of equipment being used to check alignment and follow manufacturer's instructions.
9) Regardless of equipment used to check alignment, vehicle must be on a level surface both fore and aft and
transversely.
TOE ADJUSTMENT
Toe is adjusted by changing tie rod length. Loosen right and left tie
rod end lock nuts first and then rotate right and left tie rods by the
same amount to align toe-in to specification.
In this adjustment, right and left tie rods should become equal in
length.
After adjustment, tighten lock nuts to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 65 N
.m (6.5 kg-m, 47.0 lb-ft)
CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Should camber or caster be found out of specifications upon in-
spection, locate its cause first. If it is in damaged, loose, bent,
dented or worn suspension parts, they should be replaced. If it is
in body, repair it so as to attain specifications.
To prevent possible incorrect reading of camber or caster, vehicle
front end must be moved up and down a few times before inspec-
tion.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Turning radius gauge1
FRONT END ALIGNMENT 3A-3
STEERING ANGLE
When tie rod end was replaced, check toe and then also steering
angle with turning radius gauges.
If steering angle is not correct, check if right and left tie-rods are
equal in length (ªAº in left figure).
Steering angle
inside: 35

3

outside: 33

3

NOTE:
If tie rod lengths were changed to adjust steering angle, rein-
spect toe-in.
Reference Information:
Side slip:
For inspecting front wheel side slip with side slip tester:
Side slip limit: Less than 3 mm / m
(Less than 0.118 in. / 3 ft)
If side slip exceeds above limit, toe-in or front wheel alignment may
out not be correct.

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
1. High pressure pipe
2. Union bolt3. Low pressure hose
4. Steering lower shaft bolt
3B1-14 POWER STEERING (P / S) SYSTEM
3) After installing wheels, lower vehicle and tighten wheel nuts to
specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 100 N
.m (10.0 kg-m, 72.5 lb-ft)
4) Check that proper amount of toe-in is obtained by referring to
ªFRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENTº.
5) After confirming proper amount of toe-in, tighten tie-rod end lock
nut to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 65 N
.m (6.5 kg-m, 47.0 lb-ft)
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX
ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
1) Take out fluid in P / S fluid reservoir with syringe or such.
2) Disconnect high pressure pipe from steering gear box by remov-
ing union bolt.
NOTE:
As fluid flows out of disconnected joints, put a receptacle
under joints or a plug to pipe.
3) Disconnect low pressure hose from steering gear box.
NOTE:
As fluid flows out of disconnected joints, put a receptacle
under joints or a plug to hose.
4) Remove steering lower shaft bolt.
5) Hoist vehicle and remove both right and left wheels.
6) Disconnect both right and left tie rod ends from knuckle, refer to
steps 2) to 3) of ªTIE-ROD END REMOVALº in this section.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering wheel
2. Steering wheel pad
3. Screw
1. Steering shaft nut
1. Steering wheel
1. Lugs
2. Grooves
3. Alignment marks
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-3
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
1) Disconnect negative battery cable at battery terminal.
2) Remove steering wheel pad screw.
3) Remove steering wheel pad and disconnect horn harness.
4) Remove steering shaft nut.
5) Make alignment marks on steering wheel and shaft for a guide
during reinstallation.
6) Remove steering wheel with special tool.
Special Tool
(A): 09944-36011
CAUTION:
Do not hammer the end of the shaft. Hammering it will
loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain the column
length and impair the collapsible design of the column.
INSTALLATION
1) Install steering wheel to steering shaft with 2 lugs on combina-
tion switch fitted in two grooves in the back of steering wheel and
also aligning marks on steering wheel and steering shaft.
2) Tighten steering shaft nut to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 33 N
.m (3.3 kg-m, 23.5 lb-ft)
3) Connect horn harness and install steering wheel pad.
4) Tighten steering wheel pad screw.
5) Connect negative battery cable.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Steering lower shaft assembly
4. Bolt (column side)
5. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)1. Steering column hole cover
: If equipped
*
3C-6 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
2) Remove steering wheel and combination switch, if necessary.
Refer to ªSTEERING WHEELº and ªCOMBINATION SWITCHº
in this section.
Perform the following procedure if not removing steering wheel
and / or combination switch.
i) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
ii) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) Remove steering column hole cover.
4) Disconnect all connectors for the following parts.

Combination switch

Ignition switch

Immobilizer control system parts (if equipped)
5) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
6) After removing bolt on column side of shaft joint and loosening
bolt on its lower shaft assembly side, move shaft joint to lower
shaft assembly side (in arrow direction in the figure).

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Steering lower shaft assembly
4. Bolt (column side)
5. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)
1. Steering lower shaft assembly
2. Steering lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt
3. Steering shaft joint
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-11
STEERING LOWER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
1) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
2) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
4) After removing bolt on column side of shaft joint and loosening
bolt on its lower shaft assembly side, move shaft joint to lower
shaft assembly side (in arrow direction in figure).
5) Make alignment marks on lower shaft assembly lower joint and
pinion shaft for a guide during reinstallation.
6) Remove lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt and then remove
lower shaft assembly.
7) Remove shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) from shaft
joint and then remove shaft joint from lower shaft assembly.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
(A)
1
1. Make alignment marks
1. Steering wheel
Turn slowly till coil stops
Turn contact coil back about 2 and
a half turns
1. Align marks
3C1-6 AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
STEERING WHEEL
CAUTION:
Removal of the steering wheel allows the contact coil to turn
freely but do not turn the contact coil (on the combination
switch) more than allowable number of turns (about two and
a half turns from the center position clockwise or counter-
clockwise respectively), or coil will break.
REMOVAL
1) Remove driver air bag (inflator) module from steering wheel re-
ferring to ªDRIVER AIR BAG (INFLATOR) MODULEº earlier in
this section.
2) Remove steering shaft nut.
3) Make alignment marks on steering wheel and shaft for a guide
during reinstallation.
4) Remove steering wheel with special tool.
Special Tool
(A): 09944-36011
CAUTION:
Do not hammer the end of the shaft. Hammering it will
loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain the column
length and impair the collapsible design of the column.
CENTERING CONTACT COIL
1) Check that vehicle's wheels (front tires) are set at straight-ahead
position.
2) Check that ignition switch is at ªLOCKº position.
3) Turn contact coil counterclockwise slowly with a light force till
contact coil will not turn any further.
NOTE:
Contact coil can turn about 5 turns at maximum, that is, if
it is at the center position, can turn about two and a half
turns both clockwise and counterclockwise.
4) From the position where contact coil became unable to turn any
further (it stopped), turn it back clockwise about two and a half
rotations and align center mark with alignment mark.