Suspension: Description and Operation

The rear suspension consists of a rear axle, two coil springs, two shock absorbers and a rear axle tie rod. The rear axle is the trailing arm type of design. Two control arms (trailing arms) welded to the axle housing are used to mount the axle-to the body. The control arms, with the rear axle tie rod and shock absorbers, maintain the relationship of the rear axle to the body, oppose torque reaction on acceleration and braking and provide for best handling. A nonserviceable stabilizer bar, welded to the inside of the axle housing, is an integral part of all rear axle.

The rear coil springs are retained between a seat in the underbody and a seat welded on top of the rear axle housing. A rubber insulator is used to isolate the coil spring, at the top and bottom. The spring upper end is mounted in the underbody spring pilot. The spring lower end is welded on top of the axle to the rear axle beam.

The shock absorbers are mounted at the bottom with a bolt and nut to brackets welded to the axle housing and at the top with a bolt and nut underneath the body. The rear axle tie rod is a single unit with nonreplaceable bushings at either end. It attaches to the axle housing at the lower attachment and to the underbody at the other ends. The rear axle tie rod controls the side movement of the rear axle. A single unit rear wheel hub is bolted to both ends of the rear axle. This rear wheel hub is a sealed unit and the bearing is not replaceable as a separate unit. Shock absorbers on some models may be part of the Electronic Level Control (ELC) system. Shocks of this type are automatically air-adjusted according to load conditions.