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Home/Suzuki/Esteem/Suzuki Esteem I (1995-2004)/Repair manual/Suspension Front/Front Suspension: Removal & Installation
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Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Suzuki Esteem I

Suspension Front 14 illustrations ~1020 words

Removal & Disassembly

  1. Raise and support vehicle, allowing front suspension to hang free. Remove wheels. Remove brake line "E" clip and brake line from bracket. Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor connector (if equipped) and remove ABS wiring harness retainer from lower strut bracket. Remove strut-to-steering knuckle nuts and bolts. While holding strut by hand, remove strut upper mounting nuts. Remove strut.
  2. Using a spring compressor, compress strut spring until strut rod nut extends about.5" (13 mm) above stopper. DO NOT bottom out spring. Remove strut rod nut. Disassemble strut assembly, noting position of assembled parts for reassembly. (Scheme 2)or (Scheme 3).

Scheme 2

Scheme 2
Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
Scheme 3

Reassembly & Installation

Ensure spring seats and springs are properly positioned. On Esteem, ensure OUT arrow on upper spring seat points outward when strut is installed in vehicle and that small diameter of spring end fits into stepped lower spring seat. On Swift, ensure hole on upper spring seat points outward when strut is installed in vehicle and that large diameter of spring end fits into stepped lower spring seat. To complete reassembly and installation, reverse removal and disassembly procedures. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Removal

Raise and support vehicle, allowing front suspension to hang free. Remove wheels. Remove stabilizer bar link nut, washer and cushion. Remove ball joint pinch bolt. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle. Remove lower control arm retaining bolts. (Scheme 4)or (Scheme 5). Remove lower control arm assembly.

Scheme 4

Scheme 4: Removal
Scheme 4: Removal

Scheme 5

Scheme 5
Scheme 5

Note. If ball joint is worn or damaged, replace lower control arm and ball joint as an assembly.

Bushing Replacement

Using a chisel, cut outer flange from front bushing. Press front bushing out of control arm. Coat new bushing with soapy water, and press into control arm. Remove rear bushing from lower control arm stud. When pressing new rear bushing onto stud, ensure bushing is positioned correctly. (Scheme 6)or (Scheme 7).

Scheme 6

Scheme 6: Bushing Replacement
Scheme 6: Bushing Replacement

Scheme 7

Scheme 7
Scheme 7

Installation

  1. Attach lower control arm to suspension frame with rear bracket. Finger tighten bolts and new rear bushing nut. Install ball joint stud into steering knuckle clamp, ensuring groove in ball joint stud aligns with hole in knuckle. Install ball joint pinch bolt so bolt head is facing toward front of vehicle. Install stabilizer bar link joint and cushion.
  2. Tighten all nuts and bolts, stabilizer bar link, ball joint and both control arm bushings to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4560-S24422067832000070500000) . Install wheels and lower vehicle. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Scheme 8

Scheme 8: Removal
Scheme 8: Removal
  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Unstake axle shaft nut. Apply brakes to lock wheels, and remove axle shaft nut.
  2. Remove caliper carrier bolts. Remove caliper with carrier, and wire aside. Remove rotor screws. Using two 8 mm bolts, pull rotor from hub. (Scheme 8)
  3. Remove wheel hub using Slide Hammer (09942-15510) and adapter. (Scheme 9) On Esteem, use Adapter (09943-17912). On Swift, use Adapter (09943-17911).
  4. Remove wheel bearing inner race. (Scheme 10) On Esteem, use Puller (09913-65810) and Adapter (09913-85230). On Swift, use Puller (09913-6110) and Adapter (09925-88210).

Scheme 9

Scheme 9
Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 10
Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 11: Installation
Scheme 11: Installation

Scheme 12

Scheme 12
Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 13
Scheme 13
  1. Install outside bearing inner race. On Esteem, use Bearing Race Installer (09944-98010). (Scheme 11) On Swift, use Bearing Race Installer (09940-53111). (Scheme 12)
  2. Apply grease to outside bearing, outside inner race and oil seal lip. (Scheme 13) Install axle shaft washer and NEW lock nut.
  3. Finish hub installation onto knuckle assembly by tightening lock nut (DO NOT tap wheel hub with hammer or mallet). Install rotor. Install brake caliper/carrier. Tighten carrier bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4560-S24422067832000070500000). Depress brake pedal and tighten NEW axle shaft lock nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4560-S24422067832000070500000). Stake axle shaft lock nut. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.
  1. Raise and support vehicle, allowing suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Remove wheel hub and rotor. See «WHEEL HUB & DISC BRAKE ROTOR»(ref-4560-S11819823112000070500000) .
  2. Remove tie rod end cotter pin and castle nut. Using Tie Rod Remover (09913-65210), separate tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove ABS wheel speed sensor from steering knuckle (if equipped). Remove strut-to-knuckle assembly bolts and nuts. Remove ball joint stud nut and pinch bolt and nut. Remove steering knuckle from ball joint stud.
  1. Install steering knuckle clamp onto ball joint stud aligning groove in ball joint stud with hole in knuckle. Install ball joint stud nut. Install ball joint pinch bolt so bolt head is facing front of vehicle. Install strut to knuckle assembly. Install tie rod to steering knuckle.
  2. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4560-S24422067832000070500000) . Install wheel hub and rotor. Install wheels, and lower vehicle. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Removal (Esteem)

Remove steering knuckle. See STEERING KNUCKLE. Remove outer seal, snap ring, outer bearing and inner seal, in that order. (Scheme 14) Using a press, Bearing Remover/Installer (09924-74510) and Attachment (09944-68510), remove bearing assembly. Press bearing outward from inner seal side.

Note. Always replace inner and outer wheel bearings as a set.

Scheme 14

Scheme 14: Installation
Scheme 14: Installation
  1. Before installation, apply lithium grease to bearings, races and seals. Using Bearing & Seal Remover/Installer (09951-16090), Bearing Installer Handle (09924-74510) and Bearing Installer Support (09944-66010), press bearing assembly into knuckle bore from outer side.
  2. Install outer snap ring. Using Bearing/Seal Installer (09944-66010), install outer seal until seal is bottomed against snap ring. Using Bearing Installer Support (09944-66010), press inner seal into knuckle until seal is flush with knuckle surface. To complete installation, reverse steering knuckle removal procedure.

Removal (Swift)

Remove steering knuckle. See STEERING KNUCKLE . Remove outer seal, snap ring, outside bearing, inner seal and inner bearing, in that order. Using press and Bearing Remover/Installer (09913-75520), remove bearing outer race from steering knuckle bore.

  1. Apply lithium grease to bearings, races and seals. Using Bearing Installer Support (09944-78210), Bearing Installer (09944-68210), and Bearing Installer Handle (09924-74510), press outer bearing race into knuckle bore.
  2. Install inner seal flush with knuckle surface. (Scheme 15) Install outer snap ring. Using Bearing Installer (09944-68210), install outer seal to knuckle bore until it bottoms against snap ring. To complete installation, reverse steering knuckle removal procedure.

Scheme 15

Scheme 15
Scheme 15

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