Description & Operation
The rear suspension on front wheel drive models consists of a rear axle assembly, two coil springs, two shock absorbers and a track bar. See Fig 1 . The rear axle assembly is the trailing-arm type of design. Two control arms (trailing arms) welded to the axle housing are used to mount the axle assembly to the body. The control arms, with track bar and shock absorbers, maintain the relationship of the rear axle to the body, oppose torque reaction on acceleration and braking, and provide for best handling. A non-servicable stabilizer bar, welded to the inside of the axle housing, is an integral part of all rear axle assemblies.
The rear coil springs are retained between a seat in the underbody and a seat welded to the rear axle housing. A rubber insulator is used to isolate the coil spring at the top and bottom. The spring upper end is mounted in the underbody spring tower. The spring lower end is mounted on a bracket which is welded to the rear axle housing.
The shock absorbers are mounted at the bottom with a bolt and nut to brackets welded to the axle housing, and at the top to a shock absorber insulator mount. The upper shock absorber insulator mount bolts to reinforced body area with nuts.
The track bar is a single unit with non-replaceable bushings at either end. It attaches to the axle housing at the lower attachment and to the underbody at the other ends. The track bar controls the side movement of the rear axle assembly. See Fig 2 .
A single unit hub and bearing assembly is bolted to both ends of the rear axle assembly. This hub and bearing assembly is a sealed unit, and the bearing is not replaceable as a separate unit.