Front Suspension

The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces independently. The wheels are mounted to hub bearings on the cast iron steering knuckle spindles. The double-row hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life. The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints riveted to the outboard portion of the suspension arms. The ball joints are lubricated for life.





The 4x2 front suspension is comprised.
- Shock absorbers
- Coil springs
- Suspension arms
- Stabilizer bar
- Jounce/Rebound Bumpers
- Steering Knuckle

Shock Absorbers: Ride control is accomplished through the use of low-pressure gas charged shock absorbers. The shocks dampen the jounce and rebound as the vehicle travels over various road conditions. The top of the shock absorbers are bolted to the frame. The bottom of the shocks are bolted to the lower suspension arm.

Coil Springs: The coil springs control ride quality and maintain proper ride height. The springs are mounted up in a well (pocket) that is part of the frame rail. There is a rubber isolator between the top of the spring and bracket. The bottom of the spring seats on the lower suspension arm.

Suspension Arms: The upper suspension arms bolt to frame rail brackets through the pivot shaft. The upper arm pivot shaft allows for caster and camber adjustment. The pivot shaft uses bushings in the arm to isolate road noise. The lower suspension arms are bolted to the frame and pivot through rubber bushings. The upper and lower ball joints are riveted to the arms and are lubricated for life. The suspension arm travel (jounce or rebound) is limited through the use of jounce or rebound bumpers.

Stabilizer Bar: The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front sway during turns. The bar helps to maintain a flat attitude to the road surface. The bar extends across the front underside of the chassis and mounts to the frame crossmember. The links are mounted to the lower suspension arms. All mounting points of the stabilizer bar are isolated by rubber bushings.

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/urethane bushings (except stabilizer bar) should be tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is important to have the springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and premature bushing wear may occur.