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Steering Wheel & Column: Other Suzuki Vitara I

Ignition Switch/steering Lock 5 illustrations ~649 words

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS OF AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

For service precautions, refer to PRECAUTIONS ON SERVICE AND DIAGNOSIS OF AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN , Air Bag Restraint Systems.

HANDLING AND STORAGE OF AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

For handling and storage, refer to PRECAUTIONS ON HANDLING AND STORAGE OF AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN , Air Bag Restraint Systems.

DISPOSAL OF AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

For disposal, refer to PRECAUTIONS ON DISPOSAL OF AIR BAG , Air Bag Restraint Systems.

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN CONSTRUCTION

This double tube type steering column has the following three important features in addition to the steering function

  1. The column is energy absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision.
  2. The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on this column.
  3. With the column mounted lock, the ignition and steering operations can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.

To insure the energy absorbing action, it is important that only the specified screws, bolts, and nuts be used as designated and that they are tightened to the specified torque. When the column assembly is removed from the vehicle, special care must be taken in handling it. Use of a steering wheel puller other than the one recommended or a sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft, leaning on the assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear the plastic shear pins which maintain column length and position.

The driver air bag (inflator) module is one of the supplemental restraint (air bag) system components and is mounted to the center of the steering wheel.

During certain frontal crashes, the air bag system supplements the restraint of the driver's and passenger's seat belts by deploying the air bags. The air bag (inflator) module should be handled with care to prevent accidental deployment. When servicing, be sure to observe the following "WARNING". Refer to PRECAUTIONS ON SERVICE AND DIAGNOSIS OF AIR BAG SYSTEM , Air Bag Restraint Systems.

WARNINGWhen handling an air bag (inflator) module, be sure to read "PRECAUTIONS ON HANDLING AND STORAGE OF AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS" and observe each instruction. Failure to follow them could cause a damage to the air bag (inflator) module or result in personal injury. Special care is necessary when handling and storing a live (undeployed) air bag (inflator) module. Observe "PRECAUTIONS ON HANDLING AND STORAGE OF AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS" . Otherwise, personal injury may result. Never disassemble air bag (inflator) module or measure its resistance. Otherwise, personal injury may result. Never rest a steering column assembly on the steering wheel with air bag (inflator) module face down and column vertical. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

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CHECKING STEERING COLUMN FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE

CAUTIONAfter an accident, whether the air bag has been deployed or not, be sure to perform checks, inspections and repairs described under CHECKING STEERING COLUMN FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE .

Note. Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage, where steering column has been impacted or air bag deployed, may have a damaged or misaligned steering column.

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  1. Check that two capsules (1) are attached to steering column bracket (2) securely. Check clearance between capsules (1) and steering column bracket (2). Clearance should be 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) on both sides. If found loose or clearance, replace steering column assembly.
  2. Check two plates (3) for any damages such as crack or breakage. If anything is found faulty, replace as steering column assembly.
  3. Take measurement "a" as shown. If it is shorter than specified length, replace column assembly with new one. Steering column assembly length "a": 895 +/- 0.8 mm (35.24 +/- 0.03 in.)
  4. Check steering column lower seal (1) for breakage or deformation. If found defective, replace.
  5. Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play. If anything is found faulty, replace as steering shaft lower assembly or steering column assembly.
  6. Check steering shaft for smooth rotation. If found defective, replace as column assembly.
  7. Check steering shaft and column for bend, cracks or deformation. If found defective, replace as column assembly.

CENTERING CONTACT COIL

CAUTIONRemoval of the steering wheel allows the contact coil to turn freely but do not turn the contact coil (on the combination switch) more than allowable number of turns (about two and a half turns from the center position clockwise or counterclockwise respectively), or coil will break.

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  1. Check that vehicle's wheels (front tires) are set at straight-ahead position.
  2. Check that ignition switch is at "LOCK" position.
  3. Turn contact coil counterclockwise slowly with a light force till contact coil will not turn any further. NOTE: Contact coil can turn about 5 turns at maximum, that is, if it is at the center position, can turn about two and a half turns both clockwise and counterclockwise.
  4. From the position where contact coil became unable to turn any further (it stopped), turn it back clockwise about two and a half rotations and align center mark with alignment mark.

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