Subaru suspension systems
Contents
1. Note The air springs and height sensors are not serviceable and must be replaced as a unit The control unit is located under the driver s seat It controls the solenoid valves based upon input from the height sensors speed sensor and selector switch The selector switch located on the dash may be used to select NORMAL or HIGH ground clearance The switch will illuminate when the HIGH set ting is selected and flashes in case of trouble in the system On some model year vehicles the switch has been discontinued to comply with federal stan dards relating to passive restraint requirements A warning lamp on the dash indicates the ground clearance setting It also flashes if the computer detects trouble in the system Note When the lamp is flashing the computer will not respond to inputs 1988 Model Year L series Operation The switch operation is similar to previous models except that when the height control switch is pushed in once the switch remains depressed Previously the switch would return to the outer position This is the HIGH position mode When it is pushed in a second time the switch is released and the vehicle is returned to the NORMAL position When the height control switch is in the HIGH mode the height control indicator light will blink as the vehicle rises When the HIGH position is attained the light will stop blinking and remain on When the height control SUBARLI switch is set in the NORMAL mode2. the light goes off immediately No blinking takes place while the vehicle returns to its normal height Self Diagnostics In the User Mode the height control indicator light blinks rapidly whenever a malfunction occurs To determine the failure a D Check must be performed Note Refer to the service manual section 4 1 to review the self diagnostic procedure Code Interpretation The ECM checks ten components Each component has an assigned position in the sequence Normally Functioning Components For the Start Sequence the HIGH light comes on for 1 3 seconds then the light goes OFF for 1 3 seconds and the cycle repeats should no failure exist Rear Strut Solenoid Valve Malfunctioning Component e Light on 1 3 seconds e Light off 1 0 seconds e CODE starts on 0 5 seconds then off for 1 5 seconds equals Code 1 RF height sensor The cycle repeats after 1 5 seconds ne SUBARU SUSPENSION SYSTEMS Air Springs Height Sensor Control Unit a U ss m nr ne Ee HE ia i F i ee 49 aaa Trouble Code Interpretation Fuse Block Legacy Air Suspension Air Pipe Remover Multiple codes are displayed in numerical sequence with the light off for 1 5 seconds between each CODE Example Trouble Codes 1 and 3 would flash the startup sequence on 1 3 seconds then off 1 0 seconds Code 1 is a single 0 5 second flash RF height sensor The light will be off for 1 5 seconds
3. and wheel imbalance Discovering the vibra tion source is often a process of elimination Begin by checking potential problem areas such as steering gear backlash tie rod ends wheel bearings ball joints tire mounting lugs leading rod bushings etc If the search does not turn up any problems check the tires and wheels for imbalance Be sure the wheel balancing equipment is properly calibrated by rotating a balanced wheel 180 degrees on the balancer shaft and rechecking the balance The bal ance should remain unchanged if the balancer is properly set Note The red dot on the tire radial force variation and the gray dot on the wheel must be aligned when the wheel is balanced Notes and Cautions Air Suspension System The air spring and height sensor are not serviceable and must be replaced as a unit When the HEIGHT lamp is flashing the system computer will not respond to inputs Use the special tool air pipe remover to vent air from the front springs Before servicing the rear spring activate the solenoid valve to vent air from the spring Use the proper O rings to seal air line connections Apply the specified grease to the O rings before assembly General Suspension Servicing Precautions Tighten all bolts to the specified torque Insert the air bleeder cap into the disconnected brake hose prevent damage to the backing plate and drum Always bleed the brakes after reassembly if the brake lines have been disconnec
4. system uses a dual lateral link lower arm with offset parallel links for increased stability The rear toe in is adjustable and it increases during corning to improve stability A stabilizer is standard equipment and anti lift geometry works in conjunction with the front anti dive geometry to minimize braking dive Non adjustable negative camber is also used for improved cornering stability The rear suspension on Justy vehicles includes an independent strut with a coil spring mounted between the crossmember and transverse link Front Suspension Lower Control Arm The transverse arm is attached to a trailing arm The rear toe is adjustable Rear ground clearance on 1985 86 model year 4WD vehicles can be adjust ed by changing the location of the seat in the notched plate To do this the shock absorber must be removed from the vehicle and compressed with coil spring compressor 926110000 until the lower seat can be freely rotated to the desired position Front ground clearance adjustments are made on pre 1985 model year 4WD vehicles in the same manner as 85 and 86 model year vehicles Rear clearance adjustments on pre 1985 model year 4WD vehicles can be made by changing the mating position of the inner and outer serrations of the torsion bar Turn the bolt located under the rear seat on hatchbacks sedans and station wagons On Brats make this adjustment from under the vehicle Air Suspension System Overview The Subaru air suspensi
5. 0 vent air from the front springs before servicing 2 Activate the solenoid valve to vent the rear air spring before servicing 3 O rings are used to seal air line connections Apply the specified grease to the O rings before reassembly Suspension Servicing Precautions e Torque the bolts to specifications e Cap the brake hose ends e Protect the brake backing plate and drum e Bleed the brakes after reassembly The above general suspension servicing precautions are applicable to servicing the air suspension system as well Efid Wrench SUBARU SUSPENSION SYSTEMS Legacy Front Camber Adjustment Legacy Rear Toe Adjuster Front Wheel Drive Legacy Rear Toe Adjuster All Wheel Drive Wheel Alignment Legacy Impreza and Forester Camber Adjustment Camber is adjusted by rotating the eccentric adjusting bolt located at the base of the strut upper bolt Camber and caster are not adjustable on Subaru L series XT or Justy vehicles Toe is the only adjustment that can be made Before measuring toe inflate all tires to the specified pressure unload the vehicle and park the vehicle on a level surface Then measure the toe with a toe gauge See the appropriate model year service manual for specifications If toe is not within the specified range set and lock the steering wheel in a straight ahead position Then loosen the lock nuts on the left and right tie rod ends and turn the tie rods equal amounts until th
6. Efid Wrench S ubaru vehicles are equipped with either a conventional suspension system or an air suspension system Both systems utilize McPherson struts as front suspension assemblies The advantages of Subaru s McPherson strut type front suspension are ease of serviceability compactness fewer parts longer wheel stroke longer service life and no camber or caster adjustments The major parts of the L series and XT front suspensions are the damper and coil spring the transverse link the leading rod and the stabilizer The front struts on 85 and 86 model year 4WD vehicles contain adjusting nuts for increasing the front ground clearance Conventional Suspension Systems Legacy vehicles use an improved design L shaped lower control arm for increased lateral rigidity vibration control and reduced road noise and vibration The camber angle is adjustable on Legacy vehicles A negative scrub radius is employed to improve braking stability and anti dive geometry is used to minimize braking dive The Justy front suspension is similar to the L series front suspension system however this system uses trailing rods This system has a 15 mm positive scrub radius and only toe in is adjustable Two types of rear suspensions are used on Subaru L series and XT vehicles The rear struts are mounted on the inner and outer arm assemblies attached to the rear crossmember Some models are also equipped with stabilizer bars SUBARLI This
7. and later H 4 engines The CVJ splines have also been lengthened to accommodate the new hub design The castle nut used on the L series XT has been replaced with a standard type axle nut and adjusting cap on the XT6 This allows for a more precise adjustment 1990 model year and later Legacy vehicles use axle shafts similar to the XT6 however a caulking nut is used in place of the axle nut and adjusting cap This adjustment system is also used on Impreza and Forester models Service Precaution If the front axle nut is loosened or tightened when the tire is touching the ground the tapered axle bearing may be damaged The rear axle on front wheel drive L series and XT vehicles consists of a spindle welded to the rear trailing arm On Justy vehicles the spindle housing is bolted to the transverse link and the trailing arm The hub is attached to the spindle by tapered roller bearings on L series and XT vehicles Legacy Impreza and Forester vehicles use a non serviceable ball bearing and hub unit The rear axles on pre 87 4WD vehicles are connected to the differential and to the housing by DOJs On 87 model year and later vehicles the outer joint is a CVJ The axle spindle is supported by bearings inside the housing and the housing is welded to the rear trailing arm The serrated drum or hub and disc assembly is held to the spindle by a castle nut and cotter pin The Legacy Impreza and Forester use a caulking nut in place of the castle n
8. e metering pin provides clearance between the pin and the bore lessening the dampening force When the wheel stroke is large the large diameter portion of the pin fills the bore and restricts oil flow to the orifices in the piston and disc valves The control unit in the air suspension system maintains a set ground clear ance There are two ground clearances NORMAL and HIGH The HIGH set ting adds 30 mm L series XT or 40 mm Legacy to the front ground clear ance and 35 mm L series XT or 40 mm Legacy to the rear ground clear ance The computer responds to a change in load by adjusting the air volume in each spring By maintaining the preset ground clearance optimum fuel l efficiency is maintained and headlight projection is held constant Ground AEA rasa clearance is automatically lowered from the HIGH to NORMAL position Air Suspension System Efid Wrench SUBARU SUSPENSION SYSTEMS Compressed Air Flow Air Suspension Inputs Outputs Variable Dampening Shock Absorber Ground Clearance Adjustment Air Suspension System Components when the vehicle speed exceeds 55 mph L series XT or 54 mph Legacy Ground clearance is automatically reset to the HIGH position when the vehicle speed drops to 40 mph This also contributes to the stability and fuel economy of the vehicle 1985 L series vehicles automatically go to the HIGH setting when 4WD is selected The compressor is equipped wit
9. e toe is within the specified range Then tighten the lock nuts to the specified torque The rear toe adjustment on Justy vehicles is made by rotating the trailing link mount ing bolt Scales or increment marks on the mounting bolt correspond to approximately 0 12 in 3 mm in toe variation The rear toe in angle on the front wheel drive Legacy model is adjusted with a two piece bolt adjusting wheel located in the lateral link For every incremental change made on the adjustment bolt the adjusting wheel must be rotated in the opposite direction by the same increment The rear toe on all wheel drive Legacy Impreza or Forester models is adjusted by a one piece cam bolt which is located in the lateral link Axles Components and Construction Front Drive Axle The front drive axles on Subaru vehicles are coupled to the transmission by double offset joints DOJs and to the hub and disc assembly by constant velocity joints CVJs The CVJs permit smooth power transfer to the wheels regardless of the steering angle The XT6 Legacy Impreza and Forester configuration has been carefully designed to reduce the unsprung weight of the vehicle for better tractability The hub is pressed in the axle bearing This eliminates weight transfer to the CVJ which improves the axle shaft serviceability and eliminates the need for an axle shaft puller or installer The front axle shaft diameter has been increased in order to handle the higher torque of the H 6
10. followed by three 0 5 second flashes on followed by 1 5 seconds off for Trouble Code 3 RR height sensor The cycle then repeats itself Perform the following to return to the User Mode 1 Turn the ignition off 2 Turn the ignition back on 3 If the fault s is corrected the height control indicator light will function normally 4 If the fault s is not corrected the height control indicator light will flash rapidly Fuse Block In order to erase the memory turn the ignition off Then remove fuse 5 from the fuse block or disconnect and reconnect the battery Note Do not disconnect the battery or remove fuse 5 before accessing the long term memory This will erase any stored faults Note Select Monitor diagnostics are available on Legacy vehicles in addition to conventional self diagnostics Complete details are available in Legacy Service Manual Section 4 1 Legacy Air Suspension The Legacy air suspension system has been enhanced to reduce the time required to raise or lower the vehicle The air compressor is activated imme diately due to the air charge solenoid remaining open for a longer period of time 25 seconds A self diagnostics connector is located under the dash The trouble codes are transmitted through the height indicator switch lamp Air Suspension Servicing Precautions Always observe the following precautions when servicing any component of the air suspension system 1 Using air pipe remover 92652000
11. h an electric motor and is activated by a pressure switch on the air tank The drier is filled with silica gel which absorbs moisture from the air in the system and prevents water from freezing in the pipes The air discharge valve is controlled by the control unit and functions to discharge air from the system Moisture is purged whenever air is discharged The air tank maintains a readily available supply of compressed air suffi cient to raise the vehicle from the NORMAL position to the HIGH position When air pressure in the tank drops to approximately 109 psi 755 kPa a pressure switch located on the tank closes activating the compressor motor When pressure builds to approximately 137 psi 941 kPa the switch opens and the compressor operation ceases Air is released from the tank to the springs through the air charge solenoid valve Each air spring is equipped with a solenoid valve Solenoid valves for the front springs are located near the strut mount Valves servicing the rear springs are attached to the spring assembly All solenoid valves are operated by the control unit and they open and close to charge or discharge air from the spring Each air spring also contains a height sensor The height sensor is an inte eral part of the spring Consisting of a magnet and a reed switch assembly the sensor indicates the height and load of the vehicle Each spring is also equipped with a rubber stopper to limit the minimum shock absorber travel
12. on system is composed of the following compo nents compressor air tank drier air discharge solenoid air charge solenoid pressure switch control unit air springs 4 vehicle height sensors 4 and air spring solenoid valves 4 The most recent Subaru vehicle equipped with me P lc an optional air suspension system was the 1994 Legacy If the control unit receives a signal from the height sensors indicating the ground clearance is too low it signals the solenoid valve at the affected spring to open allowing compressed air from the air tank to enter the spring When the proper ground clearance is achieved the control unit closes the solenoid valve Whenever the pressure in the air tank drops below a set value the pressure switch signals the control unit to activate the compressor motor and the charge solenoid valve Air is then forced into the tank until the pressure switch opens If a load reduction causes the ground clearance to k e a exceed the set value the height sensor signals the control unit to open the affected spring s solenoid valve and the discharge solenoid valve in order to vent the excess air The air springs are designed to increase riding comfort Each spring is equipped with a variable dampening shock absorber The metering pin in the shock absorber has a stepped diameter that varies the dampening effect of the shock absorber according to the wheel stroke When the wheel stroke is small the small diameter portion of th
13. ted Axle Servicing Precautions Correctly identify the replacement axle shaft Several types are available Use the appropriate special tools when removing or installing the front drive axle SUBARU es On 85 and 86 model year rear drive axles the inner DOJ is smaller than the outer DOJ Do not reverse their positions When disassembling the DOJ remove the large clip before removing the DOJ outer race Install the DOJ cage with the cut out portion toward the shaft end Always use new cotter pins lock tabs or stake nuts and spring pins Wheel Balancing The red dot on the tire radial force variation and the gray dot on the wheel must be aligned when the wheel is balanced
14. ut and cotter pin On these models as well as XT6 vehicles the hubs are pressed into the axle bearing which eliminates weight transfer to the CVJ Axle shaft serviceability is also improved which eliminates the need for an axle shaft puller or installer The XT6 uses an axle nut and adjuster cap to secure the axle shaft to the hub while the others use a caulking nut Axle Servicing Precautions 1 Correctly identify the replacement axle shaft Several types are available 2 Use special tool 921122000 and adapter plate 922493000 when removing the front drive axle 3 Use special tool 925130000 for L series vehicles when replacing the front drive axle 4 Use only Molylex No 2 grease p n 723223010 5 The inner rear DOJ is smaller than the outer rear DOJ Do not reverse the positions during installation 6 Be sure to remove the large clip from the neck of the DOJ outer race before trying to remove the outer race from the shaft 7 Install the DOJ cage with the cut out portion toward the shaft end 8 Always use new cotter pins lock tabs or stake nuts and spring pins SUBARL Front Wheel Drive Rear Axle Efid Wrench SUBARU SUSPENSION SYSTEMS Removing Drive Axle ae Rear Drive Axle Eliminating Front End Vibration Determining the source of front end vibration occurring at cruising speed can be difficult The trouble may lie in the suspension system or the steering system or the cause may be tire
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