Front Lower Arm Inspection

Special Service Tool (SST) 

49 FT01 389 Preload adapter

Courtesy of MAZDA

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.
   • If there is any malfunction, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Inspect the front lower arm ball joint for excessive play and the dust boot of the front lower arm ball joint for damage.
   • If there is any malfunction, replace the front lower arm. (See FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Replace the SST securing bolt with a bolt of a suitable length.
7. Rotate and shake the front lower arm ball joint stud 5 times.
8. 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: Installing SST To Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Stud

   Courtesy of MAZDA

   Front lower arm ball joint stud starting torque 

   17 N.m {1.7 kgf.m, 12 ft.lbf} max.

   Front lower arm ball joint stud rotational torque 

   3.2 N.m {32 kgf.cm, 28 in.lbf} max.

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