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 units bolted to cast steering knuckle. The double-row hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life. The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints. The upper ball joint is riveted to the outboard portion of the suspension arm and lubricated for life. The lower ball joint is pressed into the lower suspension arm and requires lubrication.

Front Suspension - 4X4:

The 4x4 front suspension is comprised.
- Shock absorbers
- Torsion-bar springs
- Suspension arms
- Steering knuckles
- Stabilizer bar
- Jounce/Rebound bumpers

Shock Absorbers: Ride control is accomplished through the use of low-pressure gas charge 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.

Torsion Bars: The torsion bars are used to control ride height and ride quality. The front of the bar mounts to the back side of the lower suspension arm. The rear end of the bar is mounted in a anchor that rests in the frame crossmember. The vehicle height is adjusted through an anchor adjustment bolt that increases or decreases the angle of the torsion bar. Increasing or decreasing the bar angle changes the angle of the suspension arms.

Suspension Arms: The upper suspension arms use a pivot shaft bolted to the frame rail brackets. The pivot shaft isolates road noise by the use of bushings in the suspension arms. The upper suspension arm pivot shaft also allows for caster and camber adjustment. The lower suspension arms use bushings to isolate road noise. The suspension arms are bolted to the frame and pivot through bushings. 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 connects to the frame crossmember. The ends of the bar mount to the lower suspension arm. All mounting points of the stabilizer bar are isolated by 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.