Steering General Diagnosis; Diagnostic Information And Procedures; Steering Symptom Diagnosis - Suzuki Grand Vitara 2011 Manual

6A-1 Steering General Diagnosis:

Steering General Diagnosis

Steering

Steering Symptom Diagnosis

Since the problems in steering 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 inspections and correct any defects which are found.
1) Inspect tires for proper pressure and uneven wear.
2) Raise vehicle on a hoist and inspect 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.
Condition
Hard steering
Too much play in steering Wheel bearings worn
Poor return ability
Steering noise (rattle or
chuckle)
Wander or poor steering
stability
Erratic steering when
braking

Diagnostic Information and Procedures

Possible cause
Bind in tie rod end ball studs or lower
ball joints
Disturbed front end alignment
Tire not adequately inflated
Bind in steering column
Low fluid level, loose drive belt or
malfunction of power steering system
Loose steering gear case bolts
Faulty steering gear case
Worn steering shaft joints
Worn tie rod ends or tie rod inside ball
joints
Worn lower ball joints
Bind in tie rod end ball studs
Bind in ball joints
Bind in steering column
Disturbed front end alignment
Malfunction of power steering system
Tires not adequately inflated
Loose bolts and nuts
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings
Worn or sticky tie rod ends
Malfunction of power steering system
Mismatched or uneven tires
Loose ball joints and tie rod ends
Faulty shock absorbers / struts or
mounting
Loose stabilizer bar
Broken or sagging springs
Faulty steering gear case
Front end alignment
Worn wheel bearings
Broken or sagging springs
Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper
Warped discs
Badly worn brake linings
Drum is out of round in some brakes
Wheel tires are inflated unequally
Defective wheel cylinders
Disturbed front end alignment
Correction / Reference Item
Replace tie rod end or front suspension control
arm.
Check front end alignment.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Repair or replace.
Check and correct. Refer to "P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C".
Repair or replace.
Replace wheel bearing.
Tighten.
Replace steering gear case assembly.
Replace joint.
Replace tie rod end or steering gear case.
Replace front suspension control arm.
Replace tie rod end.
Replace ball joint.
Repair or replace.
Check and adjust front end alignment.
Check and correct. Refer to "P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C".
Adjust pressure.
Retighten.
Replace.
Replace.
Check and correct. Refer to "P/S System
Symptom Diagnosis in Section 6C".
Replace tire or inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace suspension control arm or tie rod end.
Replace absorber / strut or repair mounting.
Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or bushes.
Replace spring.
Replace steering gear case assembly.
Check front end alignment.
Replace wheel bearing.
Replace spring.
Repair or replace wheel cylinder or caliper.
Replace brake disc.
Replace brake drum.
Replace brake shoe lining.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Replace or repair wheel cylinder.
Check front end alignment.
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