Front suspension design
1 - Gasket; 2 - Lid; 3 - Upper support cushion; 4 - Thrust bearing; 5 - Dust cover; 6 - Upper spring plate; 7 - Rubber damper; 8 - Protective cover; 9 - Rubber cushion; 10 - Shock absorber strut; 11 - Steering knuckle; 12 - Brake shield; 13 - Wheel bearing lock nut; 14 - Cotter pin; 15 - Protective cap; 16 - Rubber gasket; 17 - Assembling the ball joint; 18 - Cotter pin; 19 - Bolt; 20 - Bushing; 21 - Bolt head; 22 - Locking bolt; 23 - Cotter pin; 24 - Drive shaft; 25 - Clamp; 26 - Bushing; 27-Crossbar stabilizer bar; 28 - Stabilizer link; 29 - Washer; 30 - Bushing; 31 - Scarf; 32 - Flat washer; 33 - Suspension control arm; 34 - Bushing; 35 - Washer
Front Suspension and Steering Components
1 - Stabilizer bar for lateral stability; 2 - Assembly of the rack and pinion; 3 - Protective cover of the steering gear housing; 4 - Suspension control arm bushing mounting clamp; 5 - Control lever bushing pin; 6 - Suspension control arm; 7 - Tie rod end; 8 - Ball joint; 9 - Steering knuckle; 10 - Rack assembly
Rear Suspension Components (models produced in 1993 and 1994.)
1 - Stabilizer bar for lateral stability; 2 - Rack-mounted assembly; 3 - Trailing arm suspension (radial rod); 4 - Front wishbone; 5 - Wheel alignment adjuster; 6 - Rear wishbone; 7 - Suspension crossbar
Rear suspension design for 1993 and 1994 models.
1 - Upper strut support cushion; 2 - Lid; 3 - Rubber damper; 4 - Telescopic shock absorber; 5 - Suspension cross beam; 6 - Lid; 7 - Gasket; 8 - Upper spring plate; 9 - Coil spring; 10 - Protective case; 11 - Front wishbone; 12 - Trailing arm (radial rod); 13 - Rear wishbone; 14-Crossbar stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Components (models since 1995.)
1 - Rear axle assembly; 2 - Suspension control rod; 3 - Transverse reaction rod; 4 - Trailing arm suspension; 5 - Telescopic shock absorber; 6 - Coil spring
Rear suspension design for models produced since 1995.
1 - Lid; 2 - Gasket; 3 - Coil spring; 4 - Telescopic shock absorber; 5 - Trailing arm; 6 - Transverse reaction rod; 7 - Suspension control rod
Steering column design
1 - Steering wheel; 2 - Combined steering column switches; 3 - Horn button; 4 - Steering shaft cardan joint; 5 - Protective cover; 6 - Upper and lower sections of the steering column cover
All models are equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension. The upper ends of the struts are secured to the body supports at the rear of the wheel arch mudguards, the lower ends are attached to the upper parts of the steering knuckle assemblies. The steering knuckles are connected to the outer ends of the suspension control arms by means of ball joints. The ball joints are built into the control arms and, if worn, are replaced together with the latter. A front anti-roll bar is standard on all models. The stabilizer bar is attached to the car frame by means of a pair of clamps and is connected to the suspension control arms by means of special struts.
The rear suspension of the 1993 and 1994 models also uses a strut design, based on shock absorber assemblies with coil springs in a set with four transverse and two longitudinal arms. The upper ends of the strut assemblies are fixed to the car body, the lower ends are attached to the holders of the hub assemblies. The holders are fixed horizontally by means of longitudinal arms. The rear anti-roll bar is attached to the car body with two clamps and connected to the suspension struts by means of connecting rods.
On models from 1995 onwards, the rear suspension is arranged by means of a solid axle suspended by means of telescopic shock absorber assemblies with coil springs and secured by longitudinal levers and a transverse reaction rod. The axle is connected to the vehicle chassis by means of a transverse reaction rod, which rotates freely on a built-in control rod.
All models are equipped with a rack and pinion steering mechanism with hydraulic booster. The steering gear assembly is located behind the power unit in the lower part of the rear bulkhead of the engine compartment and is attached to the lower cross beam. The rack transmission is connected to the steering knuckles of the vehicle's steered wheels by a pair of transverse steering rods. The inner ends of the steering rods are equipped with rubber protective covers, the condition and reliability of which should be periodically checked.
The power steering system consists of a steering pump driven by a belt drive and connecting lines. The fluid level in the steering pump reservoir should also be checked regularly (see Chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance).
The steering wheel is mounted on the steering column and is connected to the rack and pinion via a steering shaft equipped with universal joints. The wear of the universal joint components, rack and pinion and tie rod ends, when combined, determines the amount of play in the steering wheel, which should not exceed the permissible range.
Note: Steering wheel play can also be caused by loose fasteners on steering components.
Often, when servicing suspension and steering components, you have to deal with fasteners that cannot be loosened. The fasteners "stick" because they are constantly exposed to external influences, are in contact with water, dirt, soot and other substances that promote corrosion. In order to facilitate the procedure of loosening such "stuck" fasteners, they should be soaked in a large amount of penetrating oil beforehand. Cleaning the exposed threaded parts of the fasteners with a hard wire brush also helps to loosen rusted nuts. Sometimes, in especially difficult cases, a drift can be used to loosen a "stuck" bolt/nut. The drift rests against the edge of the nut/bolt head slot, then sharp blows are applied to its opposite end with a hammer. Make sure that the drift does not come off, try not to damage the thread with inaccurate blows. Another quite effective method is to heat the fastener that is difficult to loosen and the surface of the component around it with a blowtorch or gas torch, although the authors of this Guide do not recommend resorting to this technology unless absolutely necessary due to its potential danger associated with the possibility of fire and the risk of burns. Various types of extensions, collars and pipe attachments are designed to increase the torque when loosening the fastener. However, remember that you should not use such reinforcing devices in a set with a ratchet-equipped drive - the risk of failure of the ratchet mechanism is too great. Sometimes a "stuck" fastener begins to give in after it has been slightly tightened clockwise. All fasteners, the loosening of which required the use of extraordinary measures during assembly, are subject to replacement!
Note: After delivery, carefully check the condition of the fasteners and, if necessary, replace them with elements of the same size. When assembling, tighten the fasteners of the suspension and steering components strictly with the required force.
Attention! Do not attempt to straighten deformed suspension and steering components under any circumstances - replace defective parts with new ones!
Since suspension component maintenance procedures are performed under the vehicle, care must be taken in advance to ensure that the vehicle can be lifted and secured in the raised position (prepare a reliable jack and supports).
Never perform any work under a vehicle that is secured in a raised position using only a jack!