The rear suspension is made on two longitudinal leaf springs with two hydraulic shock absorbers. The suspension can use small-leaf or multi-leaf springs. The small-leaf spring consists of three leaves.
Multi-leaf spring leaves are collected in a package of five pieces, flat side up. The three top sheets are tightened with clamps, and the entire package is connected with a center bolt.
The spring is attached to the brackets of the frame side members through two top sheets, the ends of which are bent and form ears. The rear eye, formed only by the top sheet, is attached to the bracket through a shackle that compensates for changes in the distance between the ends of the spring during suspension operation. All moving connections: front and rear spring mounts, shackle mounts, upper and lower shock absorber mounts are assembled on rubber bushings.
The springs are attached to the rear axle with U-bolts through pads, gaskets and cushions. On trucks and vans, an additional spring consisting of one or three leaves is located on top of the main spring. Its ends do not have ears and, when the car is loaded, rest on rubber cushions installed in the frame brackets. Buses have a rubber buffer installed instead of an additional spring.
Shock absorbers are telescopic, two-pipe, collapsible. They are attached with the lower end (reservoir) to the spring cushion, and with the upper end (rod) to the frame side members.
You can see the replacement of springs in the article — "Removing, installing and repairing the rear spring of a Gazelle car". We look at replacing shock absorbers in the article — "How to replace shock absorbers on the suspension of a Gazelle car".
On request, a rear suspension stabilizer can be installed on the vehicle, consisting of a rod, brackets, shackles, rubber bushings and mounting bolts. Thanks to its installation, the lateral stability of the car increases.
Possible malfunctions of the rear suspension
| Malfunction / Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|
| Frequent suspension "breakdowns" | |
| Vehicle overloaded | Do not overload the vehicle |
| Breakage of spring leaves | Replace the spring or broken leaves |
| Residual deformation of the leaf springs or one of them (the springs "sank") | Replace the spring or springs |
| "Breakdowns" are accompanied by a metallic knock | |
| The bump stop is lost or damaged | Install a new bump stop |
| The car "pulls" to the side | |
| Displacement of the rear axle relative to the spring due to loosening of the U-bolt nuts | Loosen the U-bolts, align the axle, and tighten the U-bolts |
| Displacement of the main leaf due to a broken center bolt | Replace the center bolt |
| Breakage of the main leaf | Replace the main leaf |
| Car leans to one side | |
| Breakage of spring leaves | Replace springs or individual leaves |
