Lower Control Arm Inspection/Corrosion Protection Treatment
LOWER CONTROL ARM INSPECTION AND CORROSION PROTECTION TREATMENT APPLICATION PROCEDURE:NOTE:
This procedure applies to both left and right lower control arms.
1. Move the vehicle into the garage.
2. Raise the vehicle to the chest height of the technician.
3. Clean any dirt, surface corrosion, mud, etc., from the lower panel surfaces of both lower control arms.
^ Inspect the lower panel surfaces of the lower control arms on both sides to determine whether the vehicle requires this repair service.
^ If the vehicle's lower control arms contain a hole in the lower surface as shown in the photograph, no further action is required (vehicle is not affected by this campaign).
^ Lower the vehicle. The vehicle may be returned to the owner.
^ If the vehicle's lower control arms do not contain a hole in the lower surface, proceed to the next steps to inspect the lower arms for corrosion (vehicle is affected by this campaign).
4. Check the lower surfaces of both lower control arms for any corrosion perforation.
^ If corrosion perforation or pinholes are observed in any lower control arm as shown, proceed to the "Lower control arm replacement procedure" in this bulletin.
^ If a light surface corrosion is observed without any perforation or pinholes, proceed to the next steps for further inspection of the upper surfaces of the arms.
5. Remove the front tires.
6. Clean any dirt, mud, surface corrosion, etc., from the upper panels of both lower control arms.
7. Inspect the upper panel surfaces of the arms for any corrosion perforation, pinholes or cracks.
^ If corrosion perforation or pinholes are observed in any lower control arm as shown, proceed to the "Lower control arm replacement procedure" in this bulletin.
^ If light surface corrosion is observed without pinholes, perforation or cracks, perform the following steps to determine the integrity of the lower and upper surfaces of the lower control arms.
8. Mark the punch locations on the RH and LH upper panel surfaces of the lower control arms.
^ Removed lower control arm shown in photo for clarity.
9. Punch these locations as shown.
10. Using a center point type 10 mm diameter drill bit, drill the punched points on both sides.
NOTES:
^ Wear goggles, gloves and a mask while drilling.
^ Hold the drill with both hands and use caution while drilling.
^ Deburring is not needed when drilling by using a center point type drill bit.
11. Using the Go/No-Go gauge, insert the gauge into the drilled holes on the upper surfaces of the lower control arms on both sides.
^ Slide the slit portion in the gauge in the direction of the formed line on the upper panels of both lower control arms to measure the Go/No-Go thickness at the two arrow locations.
^ If the 1.5 mm slit in the gauge can slide over any of the upper panels of the lower control arms, proceed to the "Lower control arm replacement procedure" in this bulletin.
^ If the 1.5 mm slit in the gauge cannot be slid over any upper panels, the upper panels of the lower control arms on both sides are acceptable.
^ Continue with the next steps to check the integrity of the lower panels of both lower control arms.
12. Raise the vehicle fully.
13. Mark the punch locations on the RH and LH lower panel surfaces of the lower control arms.
^ Lower control arm removed in photo for clarity.
14. Punch these locations as shown.
15. Using the center point type 10 mm diameter drill bit, drill all punched points on both sides.
NOTE:
Wear goggles, gloves and a mask while drilling. Use both hands not to slip off the drill.
16. Slide the slit portion in the gauge in the direction of the formed lines on the lower panels of both lower control arms as shown to measure the Go/No-Go thickness at the four arrow locations.
^ If the 1.5 mm slit in the gauge can slide over any of the lower panels of the lower control arms, proceed to the "Lower control arm replacement procedure" in this bulletin.
^ If the 1.5 mm slit in the gauge cannot be slid over any lower panels, the lower panels of the lower control arms on both sides are acceptable.
^ Perform the anti-corrosion treatment in steps 17 through 26:
17. Using shop air, blow out rust and foreign objects that may be inside both the lower control arms.
NOTE:
Wear goggles and a mask.
18. Clean all surfaces of both lower control arms using a wire brush and shop rag.
NOTE:
Do not apply rust preventive and under coating materials unless the lower control arm surfaces are completely dry.
19. Prepare for rust preventive cavity wax spraying.
Required wax:
ValuGard Rust Preventive P/N VG-101
^ Put approximately 250 g of the cavity wax into the spray gun container.
^ Connect the shop air to the gun.
^ Test spray wax and adjust air pressure as needed.
20. Insert the spray nozzle through the drilled hole on the lower surface of the lower control arm.
21. Spray cavity wax inside each lower control arm by moving the nozzle location inside the arm.
22. Insert the nozzle into the other drilled hole on the lower surface of the lower control arm and coat with wax.
NOTES:
^ Wear goggles and a mask.
^ Apply enough wax to completely coat the inside surfaces of the lower control arm (approximately 120 g per arm).
NOTES:
^ Clean the spray gun and nozzle after spraying.
^ The nozzle must be cleaned using thinner or solvent to prevent the wax in the nozzle from hardening.
^ Internal view of lower control arm that has been treated with injected cavity wax.
23. Apply undercoating to the outer surfaces of both lower control arms using a 1" bristle brush.
Undercoating:
ValuGard Undercoating P/N: VG-104
NOTES:
^ Place a shop rag or paper cover around the backing plate to protect brake parts from undercoating.
^ Make sure not to drop any undercoat material on brake disc, CV Shaft, belts and exhaust system.
^ Do not apply undercoat material on any bolt threads.
^ Apply approximately 50 - 60 g of undercoating to each lower control arm.
24. Install the front tires.
25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Move the vehicle from the shop.