Warning - Broken control arm bolt!

[andulong]

Thanks CTScott, I think I will swap them out tomorrow then. Not sure I can do the seam sealing that is mentioned but at least the new bolts should add a few more years until something breaks.

[camh]

2008 Toyota Yaris sedan 34,500 on May 10, 2013 After full routine maintenance at my Toyota dealer (tires rotated, oil change, inspect ball joints, drive shaft, nuts, bolts, fluids, road test vehicle) on my daughter's car, we left to go to my son's graduation in Mass. about 3.5 hour drive. Fifty miles into the trip at 65 mph (I was driving, 35 yrs experience, no accidents) hot weather, dry roads, around noon lots of cars, three lane highway, we were in the slow lane following traffic, her car goes into a skid. I had no idea what was happening other than trying to avoid hitting other cars, going off a steep drop to the right or trying not to hit the cement median. I've been in skids before on bad winter roads but not at 65 mph. My foot was off the gas and I was not breaking, trying to regain control of the car. After trying to regain control after the 3rd skid the car took us into 180 degree spin and as we headed into the cement median I slammed on the brakes. I have since found my "Warranty Enhancement Notice" on her vehicle. The letter's not dated, I don't remember when it came but I had filed it in with her car info. I did not remember this letter but a month before the accident I would hear a clank noise if I went over a dip or if I turned her steering wheel sharply to the right when parking. She's away at college so I only drive her car every other day locally and back and forth on college pick ups. Our lives were spared that day and we did not hit anyone else. I would have to say it was a miracle. PLEASE if you have a Yaris 2006 - 2011 do not wait until it starts to make noise before you get it checked. I would have it checked every 6 months. Once this bolt breaks off, it is too late.

[Hershey]

Glad to see everyone is o.k. , imagine nerves were frayed . We have these noises and can't get any Toyota service center to replace the bolts . They never hear it and appears to be fine on the lift . We also got the notice . Should make it mandatory .

[camh]

After doing alot of searching online, I have found two lawsuits for wrongful death regarding the Toyota Yaris 2008. One was a soldier home and the other a college student. If my daughter and I had been killed that day they would have wrongly assumed it was our fault, when in fact it was the control arm. There are several others who documented online their accidents at a lower speed. You are 100% correct it needs to be a mandatory recall. If this got media attention perhaps then it would be taken seriously.

[bronsin]

My BMW F650 motorcycle stalled at lights. One a year at first then after three years every week. BMW had it three times and couldnt fix it. Other bikes did it too.

No recall ever issued. Probably moot because I doubt they could have done naything anyway. : (.

[Hershey]

Went and got the bolts replaced . No appointment , just popped in with the notice from Toyota . The previous 2 did nothing . 2 new bolts , but it still creaked when pulling onto the uneven surface of a restaurant parking lot . Should we be concerned of that ? Here's the invoice .

[Hershey]

Originally Posted by CTScott

90119-14126 (They are about $4 each)

Torque is: 118 ft lbs.

The part # stated on the invoice is 90119-14151 . Is this the new part number or is the bolt / washer part # for the sedan control arm different than that of the hatchback ?

[CTScott]

90119-14151 is a new part number. It replaces 90119-14126 and 90119-14144.

[Hershey]

CT , thanks for the quick response . Should it still be creaking ? Wouldn't think so . .

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Hershey

CT , thanks for the quick response . Should it still be creaking ? Wouldn't think so . .

The creaking probably has nothing to do with this bolt. It is more likely the bushing around the horizontal bolt that is creaking.

[Hershey]

Horizontal bolt of the front strut ? If so , should that be covered under the PLATINUM extended warranty ? Really appreciate your help.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Hershey

Horizontal bolt of the front strut ? If so , should that be covered under the PLATINUM extended warranty ? Really appreciate your help.

No. The horizontal bolt that allows the A-Arm to pivot up and down.

[Hershey]

How long of a job is it to be replaced and can it be dangerous to drive? We found that uneven outer tire wear is one of the symptoms which we have on both front sides. 7/32s on outer sides of both front tires and the rest is 8/32s . The Bridgestone Ecopia EP 422s' started at 11/32s and were installed on 4/6/13 . They've been rotated once . Seems like quick wear . The previous tires wore quick too . Those were Continental Pro Contact Eco Plus . Don't drive like a speed demon , just average .

[Hershey]

Does anyone have the clunking of the front end after the 2 bolts were replaced ?

[Hershey]

Another thought . Will the sedan need an alignment if the front suspension is repaired ? Would think so .

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Hershey

Another thought . Will the sedan need an alignment if the front suspension is repaired ? Would think so .

Not if just the bolts are replaced. If the full service is done where they drop the A arms and seal the seams, then alignment should be done.

As another thing to worry about, today I was finishing my disassembly of the Yaris I am parting out. The front bolts were perfect (this is a 2007 California car that appears to have never even made contact with water with how perfect all metal parts have been).

When I dropped the rear axle beam I noticed that one of the bolts that mounts it to the body had a significant spot of corrosion. This was the only bolt on the entire car that had a hint of rust. This makes we want to take a peek at the ones off my Yaris which have seen lots of Winter salt.

In this picture the long ones on the left are the rear beam bolts and the right ones are the A Arm bolts:
Bolts.jpg

[NEexpat]

^ I'd be interested to know what you discover on your cars Scott.

That spot high up on the thread like that, not good, very odd considering the condition of the rest of the car.

Perhaps just a bad bolt.................................or is there some sort of design flaw with the rear axle beam like with the A arms, great now I'm going to go slide under my car and look about.

[bronsin]

You know I just want to express appreciation for this site which keeps us so well informed about the (relatively minor) problems with our cars. My hat is off to you all!

Also my thanks to Toyota for making the Yaris the quality, practical car that it is. You should read some of the problems cars on other sites are having!

And REALLY read the problems BMW motorcycles are having at The Chain Gang.com!