INTRODUCTION - FRONT SUSPENSION

Mc Pherson type, independent front suspension with the shock absorber and the spring acting as both damping and flexible elements and, at the same time, structural and kinematic elements.

1. Steering knuckle

2. Anti-roll bar

3. Connecting rod

4. Crossmember

5. Spring-shock absrober assembly

6. Steering box

7. Driveshafts

The main components of this structure are:

- Pressed steel track control arms with double shell ("butterfly" patented design) rather than cast iron making them considerably lighter (1).

- Adoption of bushes with a larger volume of rubber to improve comfort (absorption of small impacts) guaranteeing excellent road holding and stability when cornering (2).

Front suspension crossmember with high structural rigidity with transverse connecting "band" near the front mountings for the suspension arms (excluding the 1.2 8v versions). There are 4 anti-slip washers between the crossmember and the bodyshell.

To prevent the transverse "band" from being incorrectly fitted, it has "DX" stamped on it to indicate the right (destro) side.

Reinforced dampers to guarantee improved road holding when cornering.

"Split" type turret mountings (dual-path) for improved filtering of road vibrations at the same time guaranteeing excellent structural strength favouring driving precision.

Anti-roll bar with connecting rods mounted on the shock absorbers that allow improved stabilizing efficiency and better dynamic responsiveness round bends.

Coil springs produced using side-load technology for improving the thrust axle in order to reduce tangential forces on the shock absorber stem and consequently internal friction (system hysteresis) with resulting improved absorption of slight uneveness of the road surface.

Double acting telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers with a 22 mm stem diameter on all versions for good lateral rigidity helping road holding when cornering. Adoption of improved valve assemblies for excellent vibration damping.

The rigidity of the attachment to the bodyshell has also been improved. The increased rigidity of the upper turret mounting makes it possible to reduce the noise entering through the body, thereby improving comfort.

The fastenings for the front suspension use yield point type bolts.

There is an exploded view of the bolts concerned below: these bolts must be replaced each time they are loosened or removed.

1. Track control front bush fixing bolts

2. Bolts securing shock absorber to steering knuckle

3. Track control rear bush fixing bolts

4. Bolt fixing reaction rod to crossmember