Front Lower Arm Inspection

1. Remove the wheel and tire. (See WHEEL AND TIRE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the 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 .)
4. 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 .)
5. Rotate and shake the front lower arm ball joint stud 5 times.
6. Install the SST to the front lower arm ball joint stud, and measure the front lower arm ball joint stud starting torque and rotational torque using a torque wrench.

Fig 1: Measuring Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Stud Rotational Torque Using Torque Wrench

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

• If not within the specification, replace the front lower arm.

Front lower arm ball joint stud starting torque 

18 N.m {1.8 kgf.m, 13 ft.lbf} max.

Front lower arm ball joint stud rotational torque 

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

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