Front Suspension
FRONT SUSPENSIONDESCRIPTION
�53:
This vehicle has a MacPherson Strut type front suspension.
OPERATION
The front suspension allows each wheel on a vehicle to adapt to different road surfaces and conditions without greatly affecting the opposite wheel and the ability to control the vehicle. Each side of the front suspension is allowed to pivot so the vehicle can be steered in the direction preferred.
A strut assembly is used in place of the front suspension upper control arm and upper ball joint. When a vehicle strikes a bump, the force is transferred through the hub, bearing, and knuckle, into the strut assembly to absorb the force and dampen it. The top of the strut is mounted directly to the strut tower of the vehicle. During steering maneuvers, the strut assembly (through a pivot bearing in the upper strut mount) and steering knuckle (through the lower ball joint) turn as an assembly.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION
There are no serviceable lubrication points on the front suspension. The ball joints are sealed-for-life and require no maintenance. The lower ball joints have special grease fitting caps that prevent normal grease gun attachment. This has been done to eliminate the possibility of over-filling, damaging the nonvented seal. Do not attempt to remove the special grease fitting cap and replace it with a normal grease zirc fitting.
CAUTION: No attempt should be made to replace the ball joint grease fitting cap with a normal zirc fitting or fill the ball joint with grease. Damage to the grease seal can result.