Freelander System Description and Operation
FRONT SUSPENSION
60-4
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Description
General
The front suspension comprises two MacPherson strut dampers with coil springs, two lower suspension arms and an
anti-roll bar. A front subframe is bolted to the body and provides mounting points for the lower suspension arms. Each
damper has a steering arm which provides for the attachment of the track rods from the power steering rack.
The suspension is designed to allow longitudinal movement of the wheel, which allows the wheel to move rearwards
and upwards in response to surface undulations. The longitudinal movement allows the springs and dampers time to
react to surface changes which improves ride quality.
MacPherson Struts
The left and right hand dampers are handed but otherwise similar in construction. The front dampers are similar to
the rear dampers but have slightly different damping characteristics. The damping characteristics of the front dampers
also differs between model variants. The spring rates also differ between the front and rear suspension and model
variants.
The damper has a forged steering arm which provides for the attachment of the track rod via a ball joint and the anti-
roll bar link. The damper body is fabricated from thick walled tubing and has welded brackets for attachment of the
swivel hub. A smaller welded bracket provides for the attachment of the brake hose to the calliper and the ABS sensor
cable.
Each damper is fitted with a coil spring. The coil spring locates in a fabricated seat and is retained in a partially
compressed condition on the damper by a spring seat, top mount and nut. The top mount is fitted with three studs
which locate in mating holes in the inner wing turret. The top mount is fitted with a bearing which allows the damper
rod to rotate when the steering is turned.
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, the front springs are approximately 5 mm longer. This maintains the correct
ride height with respect to the additional weight of the air conditioning equipment.
On 'Sport' derivatives (2004 MY), the suspension is 30mm lower and the springs and dampers are 30% stiffer than
standard models.
The following spring data table shows the colour codes, spring free length and the number of coils applicable to each
model:
Front Suspension
Model
Spring Colour Code
Spring Free
Length
Total No. of Coils
KV6 without A/C
YELLOW/BLUE
367mm (14.45in)
6
KV6 with A/C
YELLOW/WHITE
371mm (14.61in)
6
Models with sport suspension
(2004MY)
GREY/ORANGE
308.5mm (12.03in)
5.5