Front Suspension
The front suspension consists of two strut and spring assemblies and a tubular sub-frame, attached to which are the lower arms and the stabilizer bar.
The lower arm is of a pressed steel, fabricated construction which is attached to the sub-frame by bolts through horizontal and vertical bushings. The lower arm also carries a ball joint that attaches the lower arm to the wheel knuckle. Each wheel knuckle mounts the halfshaft in a double deep groove ball bearing which is secured on both sides by a snap ring.
The wheel knuckle also mounts to the strut and tie-rod end.
The hubs are retained using nuts, which are a laminated design of self-locking nut that produces a high clamping force when tightened. The perimeter sub-frame is a tubular frame that constitutes a sturdy front axle geometry. The sub-frame is bolted in four places to the floor pan through rubber insulators that provide additional stability.
The sub-frame carrier the lower arms, the stabilizer bar, the radiator mounts, the air conditioning accumulator (if equipped), the power steering gear and the front and rear support insulators.
Tbe stabilizer bar is 20 mm in diameter and consists of a transverse bar with two ball jointed connecting links,
The strut and spring assembly is supported as its upper mounting by a rubber insulator fitted to the strut top mount. a coil spring is located between two seats on the strut. A plastic shield is fitted around the piston rod to prevent dirt and water ingress. A rubber bump stop is also fitted to protect the strut at its fully compressed condition.
