Front Suspension - Suzuki Samurai 1986 Service Manual

17-1. FRONT SUSPENSION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The front suspension consists of the double-acting shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, semi-elliptical leaf
springs, axle housing, etc. as shown below.
The Barfield universal joints are used in the front axle to enable the axle shafts to drive the front wheels
while allowing the wheels to be steered. This type of joint provides for a larger steering angle range and,
what is more important, constant-velocity drive to the wheel.
If a single two-yoke (or Hooke's) universal joint is used to connect the axle shaft to the wheel on each
side of the front end, the wheels will run with the same speed, but not with the same constant velocity, as
that of the axle shafts when the wheels are turned around their kingpins for steering action. The Barfield
joint transmits drive without varying the angular velocity of drive.
The Barfield joint is enclosed by the knuckle, which is shaped integral with the knuckle arm, and has a
two-piece kingpin, namely, upper and lower kingpins.
The end of the dead axle sleeve is in the shape of dish. This dish is rotatably fitted into the knuckle
structure to form a flexible connection, the sliding clearance between the two being sealed with a felt
packing (against road dust and mud) and also with an oil seal (against the oil inside). The upper and lower
kingpins, bolted to the knuckle extend into the knuckle and, inside, are held by the dish-like inner case
through tapered roller bearings.
Bush Washer
Shackle
bush
outer
plate
Fig. 17-1-1
17-2
Front axle housing
Front
bearina
Sta ilizer \
Oil seal cover
r e t a i n e r I
Steering
Front wheel hub
Front wheel bearing
wheel
drive flange
nut