front suspension SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2003 2.G Service User Guide

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
INFLATE TIRES TO
RECOMMENDED PRESSURE
ROAD TEST VEHICLE ON LEVEL
UNCROWNED ROAD IN
BOTH DIRECTIONS
SWITCH FRONT TIRES
SIDE TO SIDE AND
ROAD TEST AGAIN
LEADS IN SAME
DIRECTIONLEAD CORRECTED
IF ROUGHNESS RESULTS,
REPLACE TIRESLEAD REVERSES
DIRECTION
PUT TIRES BACK IN
ORIGINAL POSITION
AND CHECK ALIGNMENTINSTALL A KNOWN GOOD TIRE ON
ONE FRONT SIDE
LEAD CORRECTED
REPLACE TIRELEAD REMAINS
INSTALL A KNOWN GOOD TIRE IN
PLACE OF OTHER FRONT TIRE
LEAD CORRECTED
REPLACE TIRELEAD REMAINS
KNOWN GOOD TIRES ARE NOT GOOD
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-7
1. Ride vehicle to determine if the waddle is coming from the front
or rear.
2. Install tires and wheels that are known to be good (on similar ve-
hicle) in place of those on the offending end of the vehicle. If the
waddle cannot be isolated to front or rear, substitute the rears.
3. Road test again. If improvement is noted, install originals one at
a time until offender is found. If no improvement is noted, install
known good tires in place of all four. Then install originals one
at a time until offender if found.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3-8 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
RADIAL TIRE LEAD
ªLeadº is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level
road with no pressure on the steering wheel.
Lead is usually caused by:
1) Incorrect alignment.
2) Uneven brake adjustment.
3) Tire construction.
The way in which a tire is built can produce lead in a vehicle. An ex-
ample of this is placement of the belt. Off center belts on radial tires
can cause the tire to develop a side force while rolling straight down
the road. If one side of the tire is a little larger diameter than the oth-
er, the tire will tend to roll to one side. This will develop a side force
which can produce vehicle lead.
The procedure on previous page should be used to make sure that
front alignment is not mistaken for tire lead.
1) Part of the lead diagnosis procedure is different from the tire
rotation pattern currently in the owner's and service manuals. If
a medium to high mileage tire is moved to the other side of the
vehicle, be sure to check that ride roughness has not developed.
2) Rear tires will not cause lead.
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS
Wheel unbalance causes most of the highway speed vibration
problems. If a vibration remains after dynamic balancing, it can be
caused by three things.
1) Tire runout.
2) Wheel runout.
3) Tire stiffness variation.
Measuring tire and / or wheel free runout will uncover only part of the
problem. All three causes, known as loaded radial runout, must be
checked by using a Tire Problem Detector (TPD). If a TPD is not
available, the more time consuming method of substituting known
good tire and wheel assemblies on the problem vehicle can be
used.

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
3D
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3D- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3D- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnosis Table 3D- 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stabilizer Bar and Bushing Check 3D- 3. . . . . .
Strut Damper and / or Coil Spring Check 3D- 3. .
Suspension Arm / Knuckle Check 3D- 3. . . . . . . .
Suspension Control Arm Joint Check 3D- 4. . . .
Suspension Control Arm Bushing Check 3D- 4.
Wheel Disc, Nut & Bearing Check 3D- 4. . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3D- 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stabilizer Bar / Bushings 3D- 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strut Damper 3D- 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coil Spring 3D- 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bump Stopper / Spring Rubber Seat 3D-11. . . . .
Wheel Hub (Included Wheel Bearing) 3D-12. . .
Knuckle / Wheel Spindle 3D-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension Control Arm / Bushings 3D-21. . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS3D-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIALS3D-24 . . . . . .
SPECIAL TOOLS3D-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3D
FRONT SUSPENSION
CAUTION:

All front suspension fasteners are an important attaching part in that it 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 assure proper retention of this part.

Never attempt to heat, quench or straighten any front suspension part. Replace it with a new part or
damage to the part may result.
CONTENTS

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Body
2. Strut assembly
3. Steering knuckle
4. Suspension control arm
(Lower arm)
5. Ball stud
6. Wheel bearing
7. Axle shaft drive flange
8. Wheel
2WD
4WD
3D-2 FRONT SUSPENSION
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The front suspension is the strut type independent suspension. The upper end of a strut is anchored to the body
by a strut support. The strut and strut support are isolated by a rubber mount.
The lower end of the strut is connected to the upper end of a steering knuckle and lower end of knuckle is attached
to the stud of a ball joint which is incorporated in a unit with a suspension control arm. And this steering knuckle
is connected to the tie rod end.
Thus, movement of the steering wheel is transmitted to the tie rod end and then to the knuckle, eventually causing
the wheel-and-tire to move.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-3
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
Refer to Section 3.
STABILIZER BAR AND BUSHING CHECK
BAR
Inspect for damage or deformation. If defective, replace.
BUSHING
Inspect for damage, wear or deterioration. If defective, replace.
STRUT DAMPER AND / OR COIL SPRING
CHECK
1) Inspect strut for oil leakage. If strut is found faulty, replace it as
an assembly unit, because it can not be disassembled.
2) Strut function check
Check and adjust tire pressures as specified.
Bounce body three or four times continuously by pushing front
end on the side with strut to be checked. Apply the same amount
of force at each push and note strut resistance both when
pushed and rebounding.
Also, note how many times vehicle body rebounds before com-
ing to stop after hands are off. Do the same for strut on the other
side.
Compare strut resistance and number of rebound on the right
with those on the left.
And they must be equal in both. With proper strut, body should
come to stop the moment hands are off or after only one or two
small rebounds. If struts are suspected, compare them with
known good vehicle or strut.
3) Inspect for damage or deformation.
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.
Replace any parts found defective in steps 2) ± 7).
SUSPENSION ARM / KNUCKLE CHECK
Inspect for cracks, deformation or damage.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3D-4 FRONT SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM JOINT CHECK
1) Check for smoothness of rotation.
2) Inspect ball stud for damage.
3) Inspect dust cover for damage.
Replace any parts found defective in steps 1) ± 3).
SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHING
CHECK
Inspect for damage, wear or deterioration.
WHEEL DISC, NUT & BEARING CHECK
1) Inspect each wheel disc for dents, distortion and cracks.
Disc in badly damaged condition must be replaced.
2) Check wheel nuts for tightness and retighten them to specifica-
tion as necessary.
Tightening Torque
(a): 100 N
.m (10.0 kg-m, 72.5 lb-ft)
3) Check wheel bearing for wear. After retightening lock nut to spe-
cified torque, apply dial gauge to wheel hub center and measure
thrust play.
Thrust play limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
When measurement exceeds limit, replace bearing.
4) By rotating wheel actually, check wheel bearing for noise and
smooth rotation. If defective, replace bearing.

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
FRONT SUSPENSION 3D-5
1. Suspension control arm
2. Stabilizer bar
3. Stabilizer ball joint
4. Ball joint bushings
5. Ball joint washers
6. Ball joint nuts
7. Bracket bolts
1. Painted
2. Mount bush bracket
3. Mount bush
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
STABILIZER BAR / BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
1) Hoist vehicle.
2) Remove stabilizer bar mount bush bracket bolts.
3) Remove stabilizer ball joint nuts, washers and bushings.
4) Remove stabilizer bar with its ball joints.
5) Disconnect stabilizer ball joints from stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION
NOTE:
For correct installation of stabilizer bar, side-to-side, be sure
that color paint on stabilizer bar aligns with mount bush, both
right and left, as shown.
1) Connect stabilizer ball joints and stabilizer bar.
2) Install stabilizer ball joints to control arms.
NOTE:
Do not tighten stabilizer ball joint nuts completely.
3) Install stabilizer bar mount bush brackets.
4) When installing stabilizer, loosely assemble all components
while insuring that stabilizer is centered, side-to-side.
Check that ball joint is set at neutral position seeing from body
upper side.
5) Tighten stabilizer bracket bolts and stabilizer ball joint nuts to
specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 29 N
.m (2.9 kg-m, 21.0 lb-ft)
(b): 50 N
.m (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 lb-ft)
(c): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
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.