312001890 - INTRODUCTION

The suspension is entrusted with the task of allowing the vehicle to undertake any type of route, without transmitting the bumps from the wheels into the passenger compartment, reducing lateral oscillation (rolling) and longitudinal oscillation (pitching) of the body, damping vertical oscillations and always ensuring maximum grip for the wheels on the ground.It therefore ensures passenger comfort, driveability and road holding, ensuring that critical situations are overcome.

The McPherson front suspension includes the following components:

• The mechanical crossmember consists of two spot-welded steel half-shells, completed by two shelves for the front fastening of the wishbone and MTP suspension lower link, spacers for securing the steering box and openings for the torsion bar retaining bolts. There are four (rigid) fastening points to the body, two front ones and two rear ones.
• The structural shock absorbers have a rod diameter of 20 mm; they are completed by lower brackets for fastening to the strut, a spring supporting plate and a bracket for securing the brake pipes and ABS sensor cable (optional).
• The upper shock absorber attachment is not split. It is elliptical in shape to allow differentiation of longitudinal suspension rake between mechanical steering and power steering.
• The coil springs are positioned in such a way as to compensate for the side load on the shock absorber and supported on upper and lower steel shims without the interposition of rubber washers.
• The end stop buffers are in cellasto and coaxial with the shock absorbers. They are fitted with a gaiter protecting the rod.
• The wishbone is made from cast-iron; the fastening to the crossmember is assured by flexible bushes. The rear bush centre line is vertical while the front rod centre line is horizontal (marked x). The specifications are designed to offer the best possible compromise between handling and comfort. The arm is fitted with a ball head and rubber gaiter.
• The anti-roll bar (only fitted on versions with EPS power assisted steering), is made from 20 mm solid steel; it is secured to the crossmember via struts consisting of a single steel plate and a rubber part; it is connected to the shock absorber via a link equipped with ball joints at the ends.
• The strut is made from cast-iron; the openings that secure the heat shield are separate from those for the brake calliper. The steering box link joint pivot pin shank seat taper is 1:6
• The hub is made from forged steel.