The front suspension allows each wheel to compensate for changes in the road surface without affecting the opposite wheel. Each wheel independently connects to the frame with a steering knuckle, ball joint assemblies, and upper and lower control arms.
The control specifically allow the steering knuckles to move in a three-dimensional arc. Two tie rods connect to steering arms on the knuckles and an intermediate rod. These operate the front wheels.
The rear wheel drive vehicles have coil chassis springs. These springs are mounted between the spring housings on the frame and the lower control arms. Shock absorbers are mounted inside the coil springs. The coil springs attach to the lower control arms with bolts and nuts.
The upper part of each shock absorber extends through the upper control arm frame bracket, and the shock absorber secures with two grommets, two retainers, and a nut.
A spring stabilizer shaft controls the side roll of the front suspension. This shaft is mounted in rubber insulators that are held by brackets to the frame side rails. The ends of the stabilizer shaft connect to the lower control arms with link bolts. Rubber insulators isolate these link bolts.
A ball joint assembly is riveted and bolted to the outer end of the upper control arm. A castellated nut and a cotter pin join the steering knuckle to the upper ball joint.
The inner ends of the lower control arm have pressed-in bushings. The bolts pass through the bushings and join the arm to the frame. The lower ball joint assembly is a press fit in the lower control arm and attaches to the steering knuckle with a castellated nut and a cotter pin.
Ball socket assemblies have rubber grease seals. These seals prevent entry of moisture and dirt, and these seals prevent damage to the bearing surfaces.
Automatic Four Wheel Drive models have a front suspension that consists of the control arms, a stabilizer shaft, a shock absorber, and a right and left side torsion bar. The torsion bars replace the conventional coil springs. The lower control arm attaches to the front end of the torsion bar. The rear end of the torsion bar mounts on an adapter and adjustable arm at the torsion bar crossmember. This arm adjustment controls the vehicle trim height.