Rover DEFENDER 300Tdi, Workshop Manual

Page: 259 / 450

FRONT SUSPENSION
1 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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 anti-roll 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
1. Panhard rod
2. Radius arms
3. Coil springs
4. Shock absorber
5. Anti-roll bar