Front Lower Arm Inspection

Special service tool (SST) 

49 FT01 389 Preload adapter

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1. Remove the wheel and tire. (See WHEEL AND TIRE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove front under cover No. 2. (See FRONT UNDER COVER No. 2 REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Remove the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (US) .)
4. Inspect the following items. If there is any malfunction, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (US) .)
   • Bending or damage of front lower arm
   • Excessive play of front lower arm ball joint
   • Crack in dust boot of ball joint
   • Deformation of dust cover plate
5. Replace the SST securing bolt with a bolt of a suitable length.
6. Rotate the front lower arm ball joint in the order of arrows (1) and (2) shown in the figure.

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

7. Repeat Step  6 four times.
8. Measure the front lower arm ball joint initial torque and rotational torque using the SST and a torque wrench.

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

   Front lower arm ball joint stud starting torque 

   17 N.m {1.7 kgf.m, 13 ft.lbf} or less

   Front lower arm ball joint stud rotational torque 

   3.2 N.m {33 kgf.cm, 28 in.lbf} or less

   • If not within the standard, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (US) .)