Tire SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2000 2.G Service User Guide

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
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
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-9
Caused bySMOOTH ROADSUSPENSION MOVEMENT
(Loaded Runout)
TIRE OUT
OF
ROUNDTIRE
STIFFNESS
VARIATIONRIM BENT
OR
OUT OF ROUND

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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
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.

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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.)