REAR SUSPENSION: DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (page 3 of 3)

REAR SUSPENSION

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DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Anti-roll bar
The anti-roll bars fitted differ between ACE and non-ACE vehicles. On non-ACE vehicles a conventional 'passive' anti-
roll bar is used. On ACE vehicles an 'active' torsion bar is used. Both types are attached to the tubular cross-member 
at the rear of the chassis with mounting rubbers and clamp plates. The clamp plates locate in fabricated brackets 
attached to the tubular cross-member and secured with bolts.

Each end of the anti-roll bar is attached to an anti-roll bar link. Each link has a spherical bearing attached at each end. 
One end is attached to a bracket on the axle and secured with a locknut. The opposite end attaches through a hole 
in the anti-roll bar and is also secured with a locknut. On 'active' torsion bars, the RH anti-roll bar link is attached to a 
long arm which in turn is attached to the anti-roll bar.

Passive anti-roll bar
The passive anti-roll bar is a conventional anti-roll bar which opposes axle movement, reducing the effects of lateral 
forces on the vehicle body.

With the conventional passive anti-roll bar, axle movement is opposed by the anti-roll bar through links attached to 
the axle casing and each end of the anti-roll bar. 

On vehicles with coil springs (no SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 19 mm (0.74 in.) diameter spring 
steel bar.

On vehicles with air springs (SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 29 mm (1.14 in.) diameter spring steel 
bar.

Active torsion bar

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 FRONT SUSPENSION, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - ACE.The 'active' torsion bar is 

used in conjunction with the ACE system to control body roll and directional stability giving a reduction of the effects 
of lateral forces on the vehicle body over a conventional 'passive' anti-roll bar.

The torsion bar opposes axle movement by the application of a hydraulic force to oppose the lateral forces through 
links attached to the axle casing and each end of the bar. The torsion bar is made from 35 mm (1.4 in.) diameter spring 
steel. One end is fitted with an arm which is operated by a hydraulic actuator to oppose corning forces.