Rear suspension (Anti-roll bar): Description and operation

The pivot housing is located in a fabricated bracket centrally located on the rear of the axle. The central bush of the pivot housing is secured in the bracket with a bolt and locknut. Fabricated brackets on each chassis longitudinal provide for the attachment of each transverse link. Each link is secured through its bush with a bolt and locknut. The forked end of each link locates over the bushes at each end of the pivot housing and is secured with a bolt and locknut.

The attachment bolts for each link are coated with a clear, dry wax which reduces friction on the bolt and allows the correct torque to be applied to the clamping of the bushes. The bolts can be re-used, but if bolt replacement is necessary the correct bolt with the wax coating must be used.

Anti-roll bar

The anti-roll bars fitted differ between ACE and non-ACE vehicles. On non-ACE vehicles a conventional 'passive' antiroll bar is used. On ACE vehicles an 'active' torsion bar is used. Both types are attached to the tubular cross-member at the rear of the chassis with mounting rubbers and clamp plates. The clamp plates locate in fabricated brackets attached to the tubular cross-member and secured with bolts.

Each end of the anti-roll bar is attached to an anti-roll bar link. Each link has a spherical bearing attached at each end. One end is attached to a bracket on the axle and secured with a locknut. The opposite end attaches through a hole in the anti-roll bar and is also secured with a locknut. On 'active' torsion bars, the RH anti-roll bar link is attached to a long arm which in turn is attached to the anti-roll bar.

Passive anti-roll bar The passive anti-roll bar is a conventional anti-roll bar which opposes axle movement, reducing the effects of lateral forces on the vehicle body.

With the conventional passive anti-roll bar, axle movement is opposed by the anti-roll bar through links attached to the axle casing and each end of the anti-roll bar.

On vehicles with coil springs (no SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 19 mm (0.74 in.) diameter spring steel bar.

On vehicles with air springs (SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 29 mm (1.14 in.) diameter spring steel bar.

Active torsion bar

FRONT SUSPENSION, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - ACE.The 'active' torsion bar is used in conjunction with the ACE system to control body roll and directional stability giving a reduction of the effects of lateral forces on the vehicle body over a conventional 'passive' anti-roll bar.

The torsion bar opposes axle movement by the application of a hydraulic force to oppose the lateral forces through links attached to the axle casing and each end of the bar. The torsion bar is made from 35 mm (1.4 in.) diameter spring steel. One end is fitted with an arm which is operated by a hydraulic actuator to oppose corning forces.