Warning - Broken control arm bolt!

[auxmike]

Just crawled under the car and snapped A few quick pics since I hate reading about something and not seeing exactly what is being written about.
Crappy 3.2MP BBerry shots for ya...
My car is JTDJT932XXXXXXXXX Vin with build date of 1/08. Does that mean I'm ok according to the TSB????
The bolt HEADS look mint, is the real bad rust hidden where you can't see it? Also, can this one bad bolt be changed DIY without the whole drivetrain being supported??

[Kangaru]

Originally Posted by auxmike

My car is JTDJT932XXXXXXXXX Vin with build date of 1/08. Does that mean I'm ok according to the TSB????

Your bolt heads look very clean, perhaps your area of "New Yawk" uses a less salt than other areas. Maybe you had the bottom rustproofed, or you run that mofo through a carwash frequently blasting the underside. Either way it looks good, one of the bolts does look a little corroded, but I cant tell what one it is...its pretty dark.

Is your car a Sedan or Hatch? cause your vin is a little strange...should start with "JTDBT923" if it is a sedan built at Central Auto. They made all the control arm/bolt changes the MY2009. They moved production of the Yaris a few times since 2006 from factory but all should, or would have used the same suspension until the change. Most of those components are made by suppliers to Toyota.

For VIN comparison, I did a free Carfax search and it tells you the make model and production date. Compare it to the examples provided and you should have your answer. The TSB is only a Toyota Canada one, so getting it fixed could be a little more problematic at the US dealerships. If it does need replacement it would be worth a phonecall to Toyota Motor Sales...and they might help you better than a dealership.

[Hershey]

You'll find the manufactured date of a YARIS half way up the driver side I-pillar ( door frame ) . Tells what country built in as well .

[auxmike]

Originally Posted by Kangaru

Your bolt heads look very clean, perhaps your area of "New Yawk" uses a less salt than other areas. Maybe you had the bottom rustproofed, or you run that mofo through a carwash frequently blasting the underside. Either way it looks good, one of the bolts does look a little corroded, but I cant tell what one it is...its pretty dark. Is your car a Sedan or Hatch? cause your vin is a little strange...

Where I live we had a LOT of snow this winter. They do use salt too. That rusty part is from a bolt that's fastened at the top. the piece you see is the threaded part sticking out. I tried to figure out what it does, mabye it holds the steering rack down?
I never go to the car wash in winter or even wash the car.
My car is a hatchback and that is the correct VIN. According to the TSB pic I posted above, my VIN is ok even though it's a 1/08 build date.