Slip Mechanism
In the event of severe frontal impact to the front wheel, a slip mechanism is installed to protect major suspension components from serious damage.
If the front of the wheel is impacted above normal operating stresses, the bolt connecting the lower front control arm to the subframe, will move along elongated slots in the subframe bracket. This slippage movement will affect the vehicle's geometry and will be evident to the driver by the steering wheel becoming offset and by the wheel being positioned rearward in the wheel arch.
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Subframe |
| 2 | Lower lateral control arm |
| 3 | Lower forward control arm |
| 4 | Bolt locator clip |
| 5 | Bolt locator clip |
| 6 | Elongated slots |
If movement, due to severe impact, has occurred this will be evident by visual inspection of the slip mechanism, bolt locator clips.
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| A | Position before impact |
| B | Position after impact |
| C | Position before impact |
| D | Position after impact |
If the lower forward control arm bolt has moved due to impact, the following items must be replaced on the impacted side only:
- Lower lateral control arm
- Lower forward control arm
- Bolt locator clip
- Lower forward control arm to subframe, bolt and nut
- Lower lateral control arm to subframe, bolt and nut
- Lower forward control arm to lower lateral control arm, bolt and nut.
- Upper control arm bolt and nut.
Inspect the subframe for damage. Repair any superficial damage, for example burrs and scratches. After the suspension components have been installed and torqued, cover any exposed areas of metal with paint.