Rear Suspension

This vehicle has a semi-independent rear suspension which consists of an axle with tubular trailing arms. This includes two coil springs, two shock absorbers, two upper spring insulators/compression bumpers. The axle assembly attaches to the underbody through a rubber bushing located at the front of each control arm. The brackets are integral with the underbody side rails. The axle structure itself maintains the geometrical relationship of the wheels relative to the body. The stabilizer shaft is attached to the outer surface of the control arms as an assembly of the axle.

The two coil springs support the weight of the vehicle in the rear. Each spring is retained between a seat in the underbody and a seat welded to the inboard side of the control arm. A rubber insulator is used in order to isolate the coil spring lower end from the axle seat, while the upper end sits on a combination compression bumper and spring insulator.

The lower ends of the shock absorbers are attached to the axle assembly with nuts. The upper ends are attached to the shock absorber insulators. The insulator is bolted to the body in the wheelhouse area. The shock absorbers are non-adjustable non-refillable, and cannot be disassembled. The only service the shock absorbers require is replacement. This is when the shock absorbers have lost their resistance, are damaged, or are leaking. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT.

A single-unit hub and bearing assembly is bolted to both ends of the rear axle assembly or to the rear knuckle assembly. This hub and bearing assembly is a sealed unit which eliminates the need for wheel bearing adjustments and does not require periodic maintenance.