Front Suspension
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. This vehicle has a MacPherson strut type front suspension design. 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.