Rear
Rear SuspensionGENERAL
The rear suspension is an independent, dual link strut type. The suspension on each side consists of two parallel arranged lateral links, a trailing link, and a strut assembly. The strut assembly consists of a cylindrical double-acting low pressure gas and oil-filled damper and coil spring.
The respective component parts of this suspension are optimally designed to act in response to vertical, lateral and longitudinal loads transmitted from the tires. Thus, riding comfort and steering stability are substantially enhanced.
^ Longitudinal loads act on each trailing link.
^ Vertical loads act on each coil spring, strut and rubber mount.
^ Lateral loads act on the two lateral links on each side.
The crossmember is installed on the body frame via bushings. (AWD models)
^ On the STI model, the stabilizer link has been changed from a resin made part to a ball joint type.
The stabilizer that extends to the rear of the crossmember, is installed on the body frame via a bracket and to the wheel side end of each rear lateral link via a stabilizer link.
CONSTRUCTION
LATERAL LINKS
^ All the Sedans have larger tread than the previous model for enhanced handling stability.
^ Unsprung weight of the Impreza has been made smaller than the previous model by using a pair of steel-pipe lateral links on each side. This enhances both handling stability and riding comfort.
STRUT
^ The camber angle of the Impreza has been made more negative than in the earlier model to improve cornering performance.
^ The dampers used in the struts are of a gas-filled type that features stable shock attenuating performance. They improve ride quality and reduce vibration and noise.
^ Each strut has at its top a new type strut mount. The strut mounts effectively disperse input forces from coil springs so that vibration and noise are reduced and riding comfort is improved. The body attaching flange of each strut mount is adequately rigid, which helps improve handling stability.
^ On the STi model, upside-down type struts with its shock absorber's top and bottom ends reversed are used. This arrangement is advantageous in increasing rigidity as it allows the diameter of the damping tube (which corresponds to the piston rod in the conventional arrangement) to be increased to an almost same diameter as the strut's outer tube diameter.
^ The helper made of highly durable urethane enhances handling stability when the vehicle is loaded. It also satisfies riding comfort and anti-roll rigidity requirements simultaneously.