Front Lower Arm Inspection
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Disconnect the front stabilizer control link from the front lower arm. (See FRONT STABILIZER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Disconnect the front shock absorber from the front lower arm. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Disconnect the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle. (See TIE-ROD END REPLACEMENT .)
- Remove the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Inspect the front lower arm for bending or damage, and the front lower arm ball joint for excessive looseness.
- If there is any malfunction, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Rotate and shake the front lower arm ball joint 5 times .
- Measure the front lower arm ball joint initial torque and rotational torque using an Allen wrench and a torque wrench.Fig 1: Measuring Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Initial Torque And Rotational Torque Using Allen Wrench And A Torque Wrench
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Front lower arm ball joint initial torque
- 11 N.m {112 kgf.cm, 97 in.lbf} max.
Front lower arm ball joint rotational torque
- 0.5-3.0 N.m {5.1-30 kgf.cm, 4.5-26 in.lbf}
- If not within the specification, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)