Front Lower Arm Inspection

Special Service Tool (SST) 

49 FT01 389 Preload adapter

Courtesy of MAZDA

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1. Remove the wheel and tire. (Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the front under cover No. 2. (Refer to FRONT UNDER COVER No. 2 REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Remove the front lower arm. (Refer to 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. (Refer to 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. (Refer to FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Rotate and shake the front lower arm ball joint stud 5 times. 
7. 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 Starting Torque And Rotational Torque

   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. (Refer to FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)