2001 TOYOTA PRIUS Service Repair Manual

CHASSIS ± DRIVE SHAFT
182CH27
182CH28
Front
Axle
SideRzeppa Type CVJTripod Type CVJDifferential
Side
Left Side
Differential
Side
Tripod Type CVJ
Dynamic DamperRzeppa Type CVJ
Front
Axle
Side
Right Side91
DRIVE SHAFT
DESCRIPTION

A tripod type CVJ (Constant Velocity Joint) is used on the differential side, and Rzeppa type CVJ is used
on the front axle side.

A dynamic damper has been provided on the right driveshaft to reduce vibration and noise.

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
182CH29
92
SUSPENSION AND AXLES
SUSPENSION
1. General
MacPherson strut type suspension that uses L-shaped lower arms has been adopted for the front.
Torsion-beam type suspension with toe control links has been adopted for the rear.
The characteristics and the allocation of the components have been optimized to ensure excellent drivabil-
ity, stability, and riding comfort.

Specifications 
ItemFrontRear
Tread mm (in.)1480 (58.3)1478 (58.2)
Caster* degrees102'Ð
Camber* degrees±026'±130'
Toe-In* mm (in.)1 (0.04)1 (0.04)
King Pin Inclination* degrees952'Ð
*: Unloaded Vehicle Condition

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
182CH30
181CH22
King Pin Axis
Axle Center
Front93
2. Front Suspension
General
A MacPherson strut type independent suspension with an L-shaped lower arm has been adopted. Through
the optimal allocation of components, and the adoption of the nachlauf geometry, negative camber, and anti-
dive geometry, the front suspension realizes excellent riding comfort, stability, and controllability.
Nachlauf Geometry
The front suspension adopts the nachlauf geome-
try in which the king pin axis is located ahead of
the axle center.
As a result, excellent straightline stability has
been realized and the steering feeling has been
improved.

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
181CH24 181CH23
StraightlineNegative
Camber
Cornering
182CH31
Bound StopperRebound Stopper
Upper
Insulator
Stopper
Clearance
94
Negative Camber
The front suspension adopts negative camber to reduce the ground contact camber angle of the outer wheel
at the time of turning (cornering), which is caused when the vehicle posture changes during cornering, thus
realizing excellent cornering performance.
Suspension Upper Support and Dust Cover
The upper support optimizes the characteris-
tics of the rubber mount. Also, a rebound stop-
per has been provided to ensure riding com-
fort, drivability, and stability.
A bound stopper made of urethane has been
adopted. By optimizing the stopper character-
istics and the clearance, excellent riding com-
fort and a high level of roll rigidity have been
achieved.
An upper insulator that is integrated with the
dust boot has been adopted.

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
182CH32
Front BushingRear Bushing
A
AFront Bushing
Cross Section
Rear Bushing Cross Section A ± A Cross Section
182CH33
Ball Joint
Stabilizer LinkStabilizer Link
Stabilizer Bar95
Shock Absorber
Low-pressure (N
2) gas sealed shock absorbers that offer stable dampening force characteristics without
causing cavitation have been adopted.
The dampening force characteristics of the shock absorbers have been optimized to achieve excellent
riding comfort, drivability, and stability.
Lower Arm
An L-shaped stamped lower arm has been adopted.
Rubber bushings have been adopted, and the mounting position and the construction of the lower arm
have been optimized to improve the steering feel.
Stabilizer Bar
A ball-joint type stabilizer link has been adopted. Also, by mounting the stabilizer link to the shock absorber,
the excellent stabilizing efficiency has been provided while realizing both steering stability and riding com-
fort.

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
NOTICE
Be sure to use the jack-up points that are provided on the body when raising the vehicle on a jack. Never
apply a jack under the axle beam, training arm, or the bushing of the rear suspension.
182CH34
Never use these areas
as jack-up points. 96
3. Rear Suspension
General

A torsion beam type suspension with toe control links has been adopted, in which an axle beam is located
in the middle of the trailing arm.

The torsion beam type rear suspension minimizing change in the tire-to-road camber during cornering,
thus delivering good cornering stability and driving stability.

The stabilizer bar has been adopted to realize excellent drivability and stability.

A toe control link mechanism has been adopted in the construction of the trailing arm bushings. The toe-
correct function that is effected by the movement of the links results in optimal compliance steering, thus
achieving excellent drivability, stability, and riding comfort at high levels.

CHASSIS ± SUSPENSION AND AXLES
No.2 Trailing
Arm Bushing
182CH35
Axle Beam
Trailing ArmNo.1 Trailing Arm
BushingToe-Control Link
Trailing Arm
No.2 Trailing Arm
Bushing
No.3 Trailing Arm Bushing
181CH35
Lengthwise ForceLateral Force
Lateral Force
Applied to
the Toe
Control Link
Bushing
Movement
Lateral Force
Toe Control
Links
Left-Side
WheelLeft-Side
Wheel97
Trailing Arm and Axle Beam

Trailing arms that are lightweight, highly rigid, hollow inside, and a gently curved axle beam with a rear-
open U-shaped cross section have been adopted.

A toe control links integrated axle beam has been adopted. The toe control link consists of the No.1, No.2,
and No.3 trailing arm bushings, and it rotates within the horizontal plane of the vehicle, around the No.3
bushing that serves as the axial center.

The rolling regidity has been optimized through the adoption of the stabilizer bar.
Toe-Correct Function
The longitudinal and lateral forces that are created in the vehicle during cornering causes the toe control
links in the trailing arms to become deformed.
On a right turn, the right trailing arm moves forward and the left trailing arm moves rearward, creating a
tendency for the left wheel to toe out.
In this situation, the toe control links that are installed in the trailing arms are designed to utilize the lateral
force, which is applied to the toe control links during cornering, to correct the left trailing arm towards the
toe-in direction.
As a result, excellent stability and controllability are realized.