Front Suspension: Other Suzuki Equator I

Precaution for Work

1. When installing the rubber bushings, the final tightening must be done under unladen condition and with the tires on level ground. Oil will shorten the life of the rubber bushings, so wipe off any spilled oil immediately.
2. Unladen condition means the fuel tank, engine coolant and lubricants are at the full specification. The spare tire, jack, hand tools, and mats are in their designated positions.
3. After installing suspension components, check the wheel alignment.
4. Lock nuts are not reusable. Always use new lock nuts for installation. New lock nuts are pre-oiled, do not apply any additional lubrication.

TOE-IN

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1. Bounce the front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the vehicle height (posture).
2. Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).
3. Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both front tires at the same height as hub center as shown. These marks are measuring points.
4. Measure the distance "A" on the rear side of the front tires as shown.
5. Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180° degrees (1/2 a turn). CAUTION: If the wheels have rotated more than 180° degrees (1/2 turn), start this procedure again from the beginning. Never push the vehicle backward.
6. Measure the distance "B" on the front side of the front tires at the same marks as shown. Total toe-in is calculated as "A"-"B". Total toe-in: Refer to [ «SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-375714-S19170397082010102800000) ].
7. Adjust the toe-in by varying the length of the steering outer tie-rods. Loosen the outer tie-rod lock nuts. Adjust the toe-in by screwing the outer tie-rods in or out. Standard length "L": Refer to [ «SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-375714-S19170397082010102800000) ]. Tighten the outer tie-rod lock nuts to specification. Lock nut: Refer to [ «STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE: DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY»(ref-375696-S41482555152010102800000) ].

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

Note. Check front wheel turning angle after the toe-in inspection.

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1. Place front wheels on turning radius gauges in straight ahead position and rear wheels on stands so that vehicle can be level. Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH and RH road wheels.
2. Start engine and run at idle, turn steering wheel all the way right and left, measure the turning angle. Wheel turning angle (full turn): Refer to [ «SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-375714-S19170397082010102800000) ]. Any turning angles are not adjustable. If any of steering angles are out of the specification, check if the following parts are worn or damaged. Steering gear Steering column Front suspension components If found that they are worn or damaged, replace them with new ones.

Swinging Force

Note. Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball joint is properly broken in.

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1. Measure the ball joint swinging force using a suitable tool. Measure at the cotter pin hole for upper ball joint as shown. Measure at the groove for lower ball joint as shown.
2. Verify the ball joint swinging force is within specification. Swinging force "A" (Measurement point at either cotter pin hole or groove of ball stud) Upper: 8.1 - 79 N (0.83 - 8.1 kg-f, 1.82 - 17.8 lb-f) at hole Lower: 11.4 - 145.5 N (1.16 - 14.84 kg-f, 2.56 - 32.71 lb-f) at groove

Turning Force

Note. Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball joint is properly broken in.

Turning torque "B" Upper: 0.5 - 4.9 N.m (0.05 - 0.49 kg-m, 5 - 43 in-lb)

Lower: 0.5 - 6.4 N.m (0.05 - 0.65 kg-m, 5 - 56 in-lb)

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Vertical End Play

Check dust cover for damage. Replace it and the cover clamp if necessary.

Note. Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball joint is properly broken in.

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Vertical end play "C": 0 mm (0 in)

Upper Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Upper Link Ball Joint

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

Lower Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Lower Link Bushing

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

Mounting Insulator and Rubber Parts

Check cemented rubber-to-metal portion for separation or cracks. Check rubber parts for deterioration and replace if necessary.

Coil Spring

1. Check for cracks, deformation or other damage and replace if necessary.
2. Check the free spring height. Front spring free height 2WD: 345.4 mm (13.6 in) 4WD: 356 mm (14.0 in)

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1. When installing coil spring on strut, it must be positioned as shown.
2. Install the shock absorber mounting insulator as shown in line with lower shock mount and step in lower seat. The step in the strut assembly lower seat faces outside of vehicle.
3. Tighten the new piston rod lock nut to specification. Refer to [ «FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY: COMPONENT»(ref-375714-S16245017402010102800000) ]. Use a new piston rod lock nut for assembly.
4. Remove commercial service tool.

VQ40DE

SPRING FREE HEIGHT CHART

QR25DE

SPRING FREE HEIGHT CHART

Ball Joint

BALL JOINT SPECIFICATIONS Swinging force "A" (Measurement point at either cotter pin hole or groove of ball stud.) Upper 8.1 - 79 N (0.83 - 8.1 kg-f, 1.82 - 17.8 lb-f) at hole Lower 11.4 - 145.5 N (1.16 - 14.84 kg-f, 2.56 - 32.71 lbf) at groove Turning torque "B" Upper 0.5 - 4.9 N.m (0.05 - 0.49 kg-m, 5 - 43 in-lb) Lower 0.5 - 6.4 N.m (0.05 - 0.65 kg-m, 5 - 56 in-lb) Vertical end play "C" 0 mm (0 in)

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King Cab

WHEELARCH HEIGHT CHART Unit: mm (in) Engine type QR25DE VQ40DE Drive type 2WD 4WD Tire size 235/75R15 265/70R16 265/75R16 265/65R18 265/70R16 265/75R16 265/65R18 Front wheelarch height (Hf) 866 (34.09) 868 (34.17) 880 (34.65) - 880 (34.65) 892 (35.12) - Rear wheelarch height (Hr) 886 (34.88) 894 (35.20) 905 (35.63) - 903 (35.55) 915 (36.02) - *1: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions

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Crew Cab

WHEELARCH HEIGHT CHART Unit: mm (in) Engine type VQ40DE Drive type 2WD 4WD Tire size 265/70R16 265/75R16 265/65R18 265/70R16 265/75R16 265/65R18 Front wheelarch height (Hf) 868 (34.17) 880 (34.65) - 880 (34.65) 892 (35.12) - Rear wheelarch height (Hr) 891 (35.08) 903 (35.55) - 901 (35.47) 913 (35.94) - *1: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions

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Special Service Tool

The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL CHART Tool number (Kent-Moore No.) Tool name Description ST29020001 (J-24319-01) Gear arm puller Removing ball joint for knuckle 34 mm (1.34 in) 6.5 mm (0.256 in) 61.5 mm (2.421 in) HT72520000 (J-25730-A) Ball joint remover Removing tie-rod outer end

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Commercial Service Tool

COMMERCIAL SERVICE TOOL CHART Tool name Description Attachment wheel alignment Measuring wheel alignment Screw M24 x 1.5 pitch 35 mm (1.38 in) dia. 65 mm (2.56 in) dia. 56 mm (2.20 in) 12 mm (0.47 in) Spring compressor Removing and installing coil spring Power tool Loosening bolts and nuts

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