Description and operation

Front suspension - 4x2

DESCRIPTION

The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces independently.

The wheels are mounted to hub bearings on the cast iron steering knuckle spindles. The doublerow hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life.

The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints riveted to the outboard portion of the suspension arms.

The ball joints are lubricated for life.

The 4x2 front suspension is comprised of (Fig. 1) :

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/ urethane bushings (except stabilizer bar) should be tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is important to have the springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and premature bushing wear may occur.

• Shock absorbers
• Coil springs
• Suspension arms
• Stabilizer bar
• Jounce/Rebound Bumpers
• Steering Knuckle

Fig. 1 Front Suspension - 4X2

1 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM

2 - STEERING KNUCKLE

3 - COIL SPRING

4 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM

5 - STABILIZER BAR

Shock absorbers

DESCRIPTION

The top of the low-pressure gas charged shock are bolted to the frame. The bottom of the shock are bolted to the lower suspension arm.

OPERATION

The shock absorbers dampen jounce and rebound of the vehicle over various road conditions.

Coil springs

DESCRIPTION

The springs mount between the lower suspension arms and frame rail spring seats. A rubber isolator seats on top off the spring to help prevent noise.

OPERATION

The coil springs control ride quality and maintain proper ride height.

Steering knuckle

DESCRIPTION

The knuckle is a single casting with legs machined for the upper and lower ball joints. The knuckle also has machined mounting locations for the front brake calipers and hub bearing.

OPERATION

The steering knuckle pivot between the upper and lower ball joint. Steering linkage attached to the knuckle allows the vehicle to be steered.

Suspension arms

DESCRIPTION

The upper suspension arm bolts on frame brackets through the arm pivot shaft. The frame brackets have slotted holes which allow the arms to be adjusted for caster and camber. Pivot shaft bushings are not replaceable.

The lower suspension arms bolt to the lower frame brackets and pivot through bushings, these bushings are not replaceable.

The suspension arms have lube for life riveted ball studs. The suspension arm travel (jounce) is limited through the use of urethane bumpers. Rebound travel is limited by the shock absorber.

Stabilizer bar

DESCRIPTION

The bar extends across the front underside of the chassis and mounts on the frame rails. Links connected the bar to the lower suspension arms. Stabilizer bar mounts are isolated by rubber bushings.

Links are isolated with rubber grommets.

OPERATION

The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front sway during turns. The spring steel bar helps to control the vehicle body in relationship to the suspension.