Changing the Kingpin Bearings

This page is work in progress - please do not edit at this stage.

Introduction

If you off-road a Jimny (or any of the Suzuki classic 4wd vehicles) then this is a job you will become familiar with. It is also one of the worst in my opinion, not because it is difficult, but because of the smell, you will find out what I mean later.

It is also closely tied in with changing/working on the wheel bearings so some of the steps are duplicated. So what are the symptoms of worn KingPin bearings:

• Steering Shimmy, see Death Wobble
• Oil/Grease leaking from Swivel Joint
• Vertical play in the front wheel (with the car jacked up grip the wheel top and bottom and rock it, there will be movement of they are worn)

Changing the bearings

Removing the Caliper and pads

First of all secure the car, release the wheel nuts and jack up the car and remove the road wheel. This then reveals the brake caliper, this is the passenger side (nearside) caliper (UK). Jimny Front Caliper

Using a 12mm spanner, release the front caliper bolt (the left is the front of the car in this picture) and loosen the same bolt on the rear of the caliper. Unbolting the caliper

The caliper then opens up using the rear bolt as a hinge.

Open brake caliper

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The pads are retained by small spring clips, a simple pull on the pads (horizontally away from the disk) should remove them (or gently prise out the pads with a small screwdriver - do not remove the spring clips). Removing the brake pads

Removing the Brake Disc

The caliper is held on with two bolts at the rear (see below). Release the bolts and tie the caliper to the spring to keep it out of the way. Carrier bolt Caliper tied to Spring

Now the front brake disc can be removed. If you are lucky it will simply pull off but if you have problems then there are two M8 holes in the disk hub. Simply run two bolts into these holes and the disk will push off the hub. The picture below shows a bolt being used to push the disk off the hub.