Defender. Manual - part 16
Front Suspension - Front Suspension
Description and Operation
Front suspension
Item
Part Number
Description
1
-
Panhard rod
2
-
Radius arms
3
-
Coil springs
4
-
Shock absorbers
5
-
Stabilizer bar
Description
The front suspension design allows maximum wheel travel and axle articulation providing good ground clearance without
loss of traction or directional stability.
Long radius arms are fitted to the front axle and provide maximum axle articulation which is vital for off road
performance. The radius arms are secured to fabricated mounting brackets welded to the front axle. Flexible rubber
bushes are used on a stem end joint to secure the rear of the radius arms to mountings on the chassis cross member.
A Panhard rod, which ensures that the front axle remains centrally located, is fitted transversely and also uses ferrule
rubber bush mountings at both axle and chassis locations.
Two rubber bearing bushes, with retaining straps, secure the rear of the stabilizer bar to the chassis mountings, while
bushed links support the front of the bar to the front axle.
Conventional long travel coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers are used to control body movement in all conditions.
The shock absorbers are secured to fabricated towers which are bolted to the chassis. The upper and lower fixings use a
single location stud with flexible rubber bushes, support washers and securing nuts. Retaining plates are used to secure
the coil springs to the fabricated towers and axle mountings.
Rubber bump stops are fitted underneath the chassis, adjacent to the front road springs, and prevent possible damage
that could occur should there be excessive axle to chassis movement.
Front suspension 02MY