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03 grand vitara wanders

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

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Posts: 247
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: maryborough

03 grand vitara wanders

Post by me217 »

hey all, i've had my 03 grand vitara for abit over a year, its got just under 150,000km on the clock and when i got it, it drove really well like driving a small car, but recently its developed a pretty bad wander in the steering, and gets affected by bumps on the road. the only things done to it since i bought it are fitted spotlights and new tyres, its still stock height and has a ecb bullbar. i've checked underneath, jacked it up and checked everything and it all seems good. no movement in the bushes or tie-rod ends. the only other things i can think of is the steering box. and possibly wheel alignment. has anybody got any other things i should check.
me217

1985 suzuki mighty boy : mods, f8b
1990 toyota mr2 gt import : mods, turbo timer, short shifter, 2.5" exhaust
1992 suzuki sierra : mods, g16b mpfi, 235's/75, snorkel & lift on the way.
Posts: 247
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: maryborough

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by me217 »

anybody?
me217

1985 suzuki mighty boy : mods, f8b
1990 toyota mr2 gt import : mods, turbo timer, short shifter, 2.5" exhaust
1992 suzuki sierra : mods, g16b mpfi, 235's/75, snorkel & lift on the way.
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:19 am
Location: Wandering...

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by DarkHorse Vitara »

Wheel alignment, wheel bearings, steering box, tyre balancing.
You only live once, but live right and once is enough!
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Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:22 pm

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by laurient »

as above. i would check the steering rack and alignment first, wheel nuts,bearings,tyres try rotating your tyres also.
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:59 pm
Location: Central coast NSW

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by zook4fun »

Check you idle arm on the left side. They tend to die after some ruff knocks
cheer up emo kid
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Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by atari4x4 »

zook4fun wrote:Check you idle arm on the left side. They tend to die after some ruff knocks
rack & peanut steering doesn't have an idler arm.
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Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by V.W.Dave »

Get the car up on a hoist or a few jack stands and with a pry bar move around all the bushings till you find the ones that are worn out. I would look for the rear bush in the control arms.
Take a good look at your tires. find the one or two that have some odd or bad wear on them and start looking there.
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Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:59 pm
Location: dandenong vic

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by built4thrashing »

I have a GV also and have experianced very similar problems.

Several things can cause this Weird handeling.
First thing is check rear Panhard bushes, If they are flogged out it allows the rear diff to walk about. very comon if you have a panhard relocation bracket.
Up front check the inner steering rack ends. They have a ball joint setup and wear out. even the smallest play here is amplified at the wheels.
Check the outer steering ball joint. Wheel Bearings and bottom ball joint.
Struts can develop lateral movement that can cause wandering.
And lastly get your wheel alignment checked..... if you dont have enough toe in it can wander badly.
1999 SQ625 Manual Grand Vitara. Lifted, Twin Locked, 31' Extremes, dual Batteries, Winch.
Lots of custom gear as I cant afford the proper stuff.
Posts: 2199
Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:59 pm
Location: dandenong vic

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by built4thrashing »

If you cant find it yourself im more than happy to have a look for you if you wanna bring it over. Im In Dandenong North.
1999 SQ625 Manual Grand Vitara. Lifted, Twin Locked, 31' Extremes, dual Batteries, Winch.
Lots of custom gear as I cant afford the proper stuff.
Posts: 247
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: maryborough

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by me217 »

Thanks. I'll have a look at all that. Also might be abit of a drive as I'm in qld lol
me217

1985 suzuki mighty boy : mods, f8b
1990 toyota mr2 gt import : mods, turbo timer, short shifter, 2.5" exhaust
1992 suzuki sierra : mods, g16b mpfi, 235's/75, snorkel & lift on the way.
Posts: 2199
Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:59 pm
Location: dandenong vic

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by built4thrashing »

me217 wrote:Thanks. I'll have a look at all that. Also might be abit of a drive as I'm in qld lol

Road trip. :D
1999 SQ625 Manual Grand Vitara. Lifted, Twin Locked, 31' Extremes, dual Batteries, Winch.
Lots of custom gear as I cant afford the proper stuff.
Posts: 247
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: maryborough

Re: 03 grand vitara wanders

Post by me217 »

haha yeah only a small road trip. just an update, i got a wheel alignment on it and it seems alot better. managed to get it at standard car alignment cost
me217

1985 suzuki mighty boy : mods, f8b
1990 toyota mr2 gt import : mods, turbo timer, short shifter, 2.5" exhaust
1992 suzuki sierra : mods, g16b mpfi, 235's/75, snorkel & lift on the way.
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