INTRODUCTION TO THE HMMWV - OD1615 - LESSON 2/TASK 1
suspension must not only be effective over a wide range of conditions, but
must also allow for steering geometry and changes in terrain.
The suspension system is identical for all models of the HMMWV. The HMMWV
uses an independent coil spring suspension system.
The suspension system
consists of eight components, which will be discussed in greater detail in
the following paragraphs.
a. Components of the Suspension System.
The following discussion of
the HMMWV suspension system components will be divided into two sections.
The first deals with the components at the front wheels, the second with the
suspension components at the rear wheels.
b. Front Wheel Suspension System Components.
In the paragraphs that
follow, the five suspension system components that are located at each front
wheel will be discussed.
The five components are the upper and lower
control arms, upper and lower ball joints, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar,
and geared hubs.
The upper and lower control arms connect the geared hubs to the frame rails.
The geared hub is joined to the control arms by ball joints bolted to the
outer end of each arm. The arms pivot on rubber bushings to maintain the
alignment of the geared hub with the vehicle frame. The steel coil spring,
mounted between the lower control arm and a frame-mounted bracket maintains
the proper ride height.
Mounted within the springs are heavy-duty shock absorbers.
The springs
support the frame and body, but the shock absorbers work with the springs to
control movements of the body, frame, and wheel converting the energy of
motion into heat. The shock absorbers are called double acting because they
dampen motion in both directions of suspension travel.
The stabilizer bar is transverse-mounted on the frame side sill to the rear
of the lower control arms.
The bar is attached with rubber bushings and
clamps and is connected to the lower arms by link bolts with rubber bushings
at both ends.
The stabilizer bar provides added roll-resistance by
counteracting independent motion from either side
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