Range Rover P38
ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION
9
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Long front radius arms (1) are fitted to the front axle
(7) and provide maximum axle articulation which is
vital for off road performance. The radius arm,
comprising a forged steel link with twin front
mountings using ferrule rubber bushes, is secured to
fabricated mounting brackets welded to the front axle.
Flexible rubber bushes are used on a stem end joint
to secure the rear of the radius arm to a mounting on
the chassis cross member as shown in 60M7040. The
vehicle height sensors are also linked to the front
radius arms; for full details of the height settings.
See
this section.
A panhard rod (2), which ensures that the axle
remains centrally located, is fitted transversely and
also uses ferrule rubber bush mountings at both axle
and chassis locations. An anti-roll bar (5) is fitted to
the front axle to control body roll and directional
stability. Two rubber bearing bushes, with retaining
straps, secure the anti-roll bar to the front axle, while
ball jointed links, suspended from the chassis, support
the rear of the anti-roll bar.
Conventional telescopic shock absorbers (3), used to
control body movement, are secured to fabricated
towers which are welded to the chassis. The upper
fixing uses a single retaining bolt passing through a
flexible rubber bush. The lower fixing of the shock
absorber comprises of a stem type mounting with two
flexible rubber bushes and support washers secured
to an axle mounting by a single retaining nut. Cellular
foam bump stops (4) are fitted under the chassis
adjacent to the air springs (6) and prevent possible
damage that could occur should there be excessive
axle to chassis movement. Should there be a loss of
air pressure in the air springs the vehicle can still be
driven safely at a speed not exceeding 35 mph (56
km/h) with the bump stops resting on the axle,
although this will result in a hard ride. The loss of air
pressure should be investigated as soon as possible.
The bump stops are ’progressive’ and will reform from
a compressed state when the load is released.