Discovery II
FRONT SUSPENSION
60-6
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Panhard rod
A Panhard rod is used to ensure that the axle remains centrally located. The Panhard rod has bushes pressed into
housings at each end which provide for the attachment to the axle and chassis. One end of the Panhard rod locates
in a fabricated bracket on the axle and is secured with a bolt and locknut. The opposite end is attached to a fabricated
bracket on the chassis and is also secured with a bolt and a locknut. The Panhard rod is shaped at one end to allow
clearance for the axle casing.
The attachment bolts for the Panhard rod 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.
On models from 03 Model Year, the Panhard rod is shortened by 30 mm (1.18 in). This modification was introduced
to enhance the suspension bump steer characteristics in line with other suspension improvements introduced
simultaneously. The change to the Panhard rod also required the relocation of the attachment brackets on the axle
casing and the chassis.
Torsion/Anti-roll bar
The anti-roll bars fitted differ between ACE and non-ACE vehicles. On non-ACE vehicles a conventional 'passive' anti-
roll bar is used. On ACE vehicles an 'active' torsion bar is used. Both types are attached to the front chassis cross
member with mounting rubbers and clamp plates. The clamp plates locate in brackets on the cross member and are
each secured with a bolt. 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; a washer is
installed between the spherical bearing and the bracket. The opposite end attaches through a hole in the anti-roll bar
and is 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 torsion 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. The anti-roll bar is manufactured from 30 mm (1.18 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
an improved reduction of the effects of lateral forces on the vehicle body over a conventional 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 bar. One end is fitted with an arm which is operated by a hydraulic actuator to oppose cornering forces.