1998-2003 Suzuki Alto 4 Door Steering, Suspension, Wheels and Tires User Manual
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Steering, Suspension, Wheels and Tires for Your Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-1
SECTION 3
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
DIAGNOSIS 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT END ALIGNMENT SECTION 3A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MANUAL RACK AND PINION SECTION 3B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN SECTION 3C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRONT SUSPENSION SECTION 3D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REAR SUSPENSION (LEAF SPRING TYPE) SECTION 3E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REAR SUSPENSION (COIL SPRING TYPE) SECTION 3E1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHEELS AND TIRES SECTION 3F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS
DIAGNOSIS
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS TABLE 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIRE DIAGNOSIS 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Irregular and/or Premature Wear 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Waddle 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Lead 3-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS 3-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3-2 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
DIAGNOSIS
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS
Since the problems in steering, suspension, wheels and tires involve several systems, they must all be considered
when diagnosing a complaint. To avoid using the wrong symptom, always road test the vehicle first. Proceed with
the following preliminary inspection and correct any defects which are found.
1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for loose or damaged parts.
3) Spin front wheels. Inspect for out-of-round tires, out-of-balance tires, bent rims, loosen and/or rough wheel
bearings.
DIAGNOSIS TABLE
Condition
Possible Cause Correction
Vehicle Pulls (Leads) D Mismatched or uneven tires.
D Tires not adequately inflated.
D Broken or sagging springs.
D Radial tire lateral force.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Disturbed rear wheel alignment.
D Brake dragging in one road wheel.
D Loose, bent or broken front or rear sus-
pension parts.
Replace tire.
Adjust tire pressure.
Replace spring.
Replace tire.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and adjust rear wheel alignment.
Repair front brake.
Tighten or replace suspension parts.
Abnormal or
Excessive Tire Wear
D Sagging or broken spring.
D Tire out of balance.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Faulty strut (shock absorber).
D Hard driving.
D Overloaded vehicle.
D Not rotating tire.
D Worn or loose road wheel bearing.
D Wobbly wheel or tire.
D Tires not adequately inflated.
Replace spring.
Adjust balance or replace tire.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Replace strut.
Replace tire.
Replace tire.
Replace or rotate tire.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace wheel or tire.
Adjust tire pressure.
Wheel Tramp D Blister or bump on tire.
D Improper strut (shock absorber) action.
Replace tire.
Replace strut.
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-3
Condition Possible Cause Correction
Shimmy, Shake or
Vibration
D Tire or wheel out of balance.
D Loosen wheel bearings.
D Worn tie rod ends.
D Worn lower ball joints.
D Excessive wheel runout.
D Blister or bump on tire.
D Excessively loaded radial runout of tire/
wheel assembly.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Loose or worn steering linkage.
D Loose steering gear case bolts.
Balance wheels or replace tire and/or
wheel.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace front suspension arm.
Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Replace tire.
Replace tire or wheel.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Tighten case bolts.
Hard Steering D Tire not adequately inflated.
D Bind in tie rod end ball studs or lower
ball joints.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Rack and pinion adjustment.
D Bind in steering column.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace tie rod end or front suspension
arm.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Repair or replace.
Too Much Play in
Steering
D Wheel bearings worn.
D Loose steering gear case bolts.
D Rack and pinion adjustments.
D Worn steering shaft joints.
D Worn tie rod ends or tie rod inside ball
joints.
D Worn lower ball joints.
Replace.
Tighten.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Replace joint.
Replace tie rod end or tie rod.
Replace front suspension control arm.
Poor Returnability D Bind in tie rod end ball studs.
D Bind in ball joints.
D Bind in steering column.
D Poorly lubricated rack and pinion.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Rack and pinion adjustment.
D Tires not adequately inflated.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace.
Repair or replace.
Check, repair or lubricate rack and pinion.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Adjust tire pressure.
3-4 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
Condition Possible Cause Correction
Rack and Pinion
Noise
(Rattle or Chuckle)
D Loose steering gear case bolts.
D Worn rack bush.
D Rack and pinion adjustment.
Tighten.
Replace.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Abnormal Noise,
Front End
D Worn, sticky or loose tie rod ends, lower
ball joints, tie rod inside ball joints or
drive shaft joints.
D Damaged struts or mountings.
D Worn suspension arm bushings.
D Loose stabilizer bar.
D Loose wheel nuts.
D Loose suspension bolts or nuts.
D Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.
D Broken suspension springs.
D Poorly lubricated or worn strut bearings.
Replace tie rod end, suspension arm, tie
rod or drive shaft joint.
Repair or replace.
Replace.
Tighten bolts or nuts, replace bushes.
Tighten wheel nuts.
Tighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Replace.
Replace.
Replace strut bearing.
Wander or Poor
Steering Stability
D Mismatched or uneven tires.
D Loosen ball joints and tie rod ends.
D Faulty struts or mountings.
D Loose stabilizer bar.
D Broken or sagging springs.
D Rack and pinion adjustment.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
Replace or inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace suspension arm or tie rod end.
Replace strut or repair mounting.
Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bush.
Replace spring.
Check and adjust rack and pinion torque.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Erratic Steering
When Braking
D Worn wheel bearings.
D Broken or sagging springs.
D Wheel tires are inflated unequally.
D Disturbed front end alignment.
D Brakes not working in unison.
D Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper.
D Warped discs.
D Badly worn brake linings.
D Drum is out of round in some brakes.
D Defective wheel cylinders.
Replace.
Replace.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Refer to Section 5.
Repair or replace wheel cylinder or caliper.
Replace brake disc.
Replace brake shoe linings.
Replace brake drum.
Replace or repair wheel cylinder.
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-5
Condition Possible Cause Correction
Low or Uneven Trim
Height
Right-to-left trim height
“h” difference should
be within
15 mm (0.6 in.) with
curb weight.
*Same with rear side.
D Broken or sagging springs.
D Overloaded.
D Incorrect springs.
Replace.
Check loading.
Replace.
Ride Too Soft D Faulty struts (shock absorber). Replace strut.
Suspension Bottoms D Overloaded.
D Faulty struts (shock absorber).
D Incorrect, broken or sagging springs.
Check loading.
Replace strut.
Replace.
Body Leans or Sways
in Corners
D Loose stabilizer bar.
D Faulty struts (shock absorbers) or
mountings.
D Broken or sagging springs.
D Overloaded.
Tighten stabilizer bar bolts or nuts, or re-
place bushes.
Replace strut or tighten mounting.
Replace.
Check loading.
Cupped Tires D Front struts defective.
D Worn wheel bearings.
D Excessive tire or wheel run-out.
D Worn ball joints.
D Tire out of balance.
Replace.
Replace.
Replace tire or wheel disc.
Replace front suspension arm.
Adjust tire balance.
TIRE DIAGNOSIS
IRREGULAR AND/OR PREMATURE WEAR
Irregular and premature wear has many causes. Some of them are:
incorrect inflation pressures, lack of tire rotation, driving habits, im-
proper alignment.
If the following conditions are noted, rotation is necessary:
1) Front tire wear is different from rear.
2) Uneven wear exists across the tread of any tire.
3) Front tire wear is unequal between the right and left.
4) Rear tire wear is unequal between the right and left.
5) There is cupping, flat spotting, etc.
A wheel alignment check is necessary if following conditions are
noted:
1) Front tire wear is unequal between the right and left.
2) Wear is uneven across the tread of any front tire.
3) Front tire treads have scuffed appearance with “feather” edges
on one side of tread ribs or blocks.
D Hard Cornering
D Under Inflation
D Lack of Tire Rotation
D Incorrect Wheel Alignment
D Tire Construction not Uniform
D Wheel Heavy Acceleration
WEAR INDICATORS
Original equipment tires have built-in tread wear indicators to show
when they 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.
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 a low speed, 5 to 30 mph.
It is possible to locate the faulty tire by road testing the vehicle. If
it is on the rear, the rear end of the vehicle shakes from side to side
or “waddles”. To the driver in his seat, it feels as though someone
is pushing on the side of vehicle.
If the faulty tire is on the front, waddling 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 vehicle.
Waddle can be quickly diagnosed by using Tire Problem Detector
(TPD) and following the equipment manufacture’s recommenda-
tions.
If TPD is not available, an alternative method of substituting known
good tire/wheel assemblies can be used as follows, although it
takes a longer time.
3-6 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES 3-7
1) Ride vehicle to determine whether the front or rear waddles.
2) Install tires and wheels that are known to be good (on similar vehicle) in place of those on waddling end of ve-
hicle. If waddling end cannot be identified, substitute rear ones.
3) Road test again. If improvement is noted, reinstall originals one at a time till waddle causal tire is found. If no
improvement is noted, install known good tires in place of all four. Then reinstall originals in the same manner
as above.
INFLATE TIRES TO RECOMMENDED
PRESSURE
SWITCH FRONT TIRES
SIDE TO SIDE AND
ROAD TEST AGAIN
INSTALL A KNOWN GOOD TIRE
ON ONE FRONT SIDE
ROAD TEST VEHICLE ON LEVEL
UNCROWNED ROAD IN
BOTH DIRECTIONS
LEAD CORRECTED IF
ROUGHNESS RESULTS.
REPLACE TIRES
PUT TIRES BACK IN
ORIGINAL POSITION
AND CHECK ALIGNMENT
LEADS IN SAME
DIRECTION
LEAD REVERSES
DIRECTION
LEAD REMAINS
INSTALL A KNOWN GOOD TIRE IN
PLACE OF OTHER FRONT TIRE
LEAD CORRECTED
REPLACE TIRE
LEAD REMAINS
KNOWN GOOD TIRES ARE NOT GOOD
LEAD CORRECTED
REPLACE TIRE
3-8 STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
TIRE LEAD
“Lead” is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road even 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 example of this is placement of the belt. Off center
belts on tires can cause the tire to develop a side force while rolling straight down the road. If one side of the tire
has a little larger diameter than the other, the tire will tend to roll to one side. This will develop a side force which
can produce vehicle lead.
The procedure on previous flow chart (Lead Diagnosis) 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 proper tire rotation pattern currently in the owner 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 bal-
ancing, its possible causes are as follows.
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 causes, known as loaded radial
runout, must be checked by using a Tire Problem Detector (TPD). If TPD is not available, alternative method of
substituting known good tire and wheel assemblies on the problem vehicle can be used, although it takes a longer
time.
TIRE OUT OF
ROUND
TIRE STIFFNESS
VARIATION
RIM BENT OR
OUT OF ROUND
SMOOTH ROAD
SUSPENSION MOVEMENT
(Loaded Runout)
Caused by

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