Front Suspension System
FRONT SUSPENSIONDESCRIPTION - FRONT SUSPENSION
This vehicle's front suspension is a short long arm (SLA) design used in conjunction with a gas pressurized shock absorber and coil spring assembly (Fig. 1).
SLA offers three advantages over the customary MacPherson strut system for front-wheel-drive vehicles.
^ Better handling through geometry that keeps the tires more perpendicular to the road
^ Better noise isolation
^ Better ride through reduced friction
The upper control arm of the vehicle is mounted using rubber isolation bushings to an aluminum casting which is attached to the shock tower using 4 mounting bolts. This aluminum casting is also used as the upper mount for the front shock/coil spring assembly. The shock absorber is isolated from the aluminum bracket using a microcellular urethane isolator. The lower control arm is mounted to the vehicle's front suspension crossmember using 2 through bolts per control arm. The lower control arm is also isolated from the vehicle using 2 rubber bushings of unique design for the front and rear mounting location. The bottom of the shock absorber is mounted to the lower control arm by a clevis bracket which is part of the shock absorber assembly. The clevis bracket is mounted to and isolated from the lower control arm using a rubber isolation bushing and a through-bolt. The front steering knuckle is mounted to the vehicle by a ball joint located in the upper and lower control arms.
A sealed for life front hub and bearing assembly is attached to the front steering knuckle. The outer C/V joint assembly is splined to the front hub and bearing assembly and is retained by a nut, nut retainer and cotter pin.
OPERATION - FRONT SUSPENSION
The front suspension allows each front wheel on vehicle to adapt to different road surfaces and conditions without affecting the control of the vehicle. Each side of the front suspension is allowed to move independently from the other. Both sides of the front suspension are allowed to pivot so the vehicle can be steered in the direction preferred. Steering of the vehicle is provided by a rack and pinion steering gear which is connected directly to each steering knuckle by an outer tie rod.
WARNING
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE A SHOCK ROD NUT WHILE THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE, OR BEFORE THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
CAUTION: Only frame contact hoisting equipment should be used on this vehicle. All vehicles have a fully independent rear suspension. Vehicles must not be hoisted using equipment designed to lift a vehicle by the rear axle. If this type of hoisting equipment is used, damage to rear suspension components will occur.
CAUTION: At no time when servicing a vehicle, can a sheet metal screw, bolt or other metal fastener be installed in the shock tower to take the place of an original plastic clip. Also, NO holes can be drilled into the front shock tower in the area shown in (Fig. 2), for the installation of any metal fasteners into the shock tower. Because of the minimum clearance in this area installation of metal fasteners could damage the coil spring coating and lead to a corrosion failure of the spring.
NOTE: If a suspension component becomes bent, damaged or fails, no attempt should be made to straighten or repair it. Always replace it with a new component.