24
Steering and Suspension
Steering
The steering is of the rack and pinion type which provides light and sensitive steering at the cost of
some kick-back on poor roads. Dampers are incorporated in the rack housing to control this. There
is one grease nipple on the rack which requires attention every4,000 miles with a general
purpose grease. The dampers should be inspected and topped up with Shell Tellus 15 at the
same time. The ball joints are sealed and require no attention.
Front Suspension
The independent front suspension is of the wishbone type, the coil springs being held in compression
between the chassis frame and the lower wishbone, while the upper wishbone operates the piston
type dampers. An anti-roll bar connects the two lower wishbones. Suspension lubrication points are
shown in the lubrication chart. The hydraulic dampers should be topped up with Armstrong Fluid
every 4,000 miles. (See front dampers).
Front Wheel Alignment
Alignment of the front wheels is an important factor in tyre economy and ease of steering. The front
wheels should have ‘toe in’ of 1/16
".
If adjustment is necessary it is made at the tie-rods.
Front Hubs - see previous page
The front hub bearings may need periodical adjustment. The following procedure should be
adopted.
1)
The car should be jacked up and the nave plate removed.
2)
The hub cap should be removed by turning it anti-clockwise.
3)
The cotter pin should be removed.
4)
The wheel bearing nuts should be tightened with a Torque Wrench to 90 ft. lbs. while the
wheel is rotated.
5)
The nut should be backed off until a slot in the nut coincides with the cotter pin hole, and a
new cotter pin fitted.
Front Hub Lubrication
Wheel bearings should be inspected every 16,000 miles, under normal conditions. If the grease
has emulsified, the hub bearings should be stripped down and thoroughly cleaned before re-
greasing. The bearings should be repacked with grease but the hub should not be completely filled
with grease, but only lightly applied around its inner perimeter. At 32,000 miles hub and bearing
should be cleaned and repacked with grease as above.
Front Dampers
The front dampers should be checked for level every 4,000 miles and if necessary topped up with
Armstrong Damper fluid.
Rear Suspension
The rear axle is carried on semi-elliptic springs, and is located laterally by a Panhard rod. The
telescopic dampers are adjustable from the driver’s seat (see Controls page ). No attention to the
dampers is required.
Rear Hubs
One grease nipple on each rear hub requires attention every 4,000 miles. At 32,000 miles the hubs
should be stripped, cleaned, greased and re-assembled.
