Warning - Broken control arm bolt!

[Hershey]

Got the notice earlier .

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by Hershey

Got the notice earlier .

I just received mine a couple of days ago. It's not a recall notice. It just a warranty extension notice (both miles and time, neither of which I remember off hand) on the part. The notice says that the problem does not warrant a recall because it is not a critical defect because even if the bolt head falls off, the arm is still captured by the brace underneath it (see Don777's pictures, post #54). If the head falls off, the driver should hear the clunking and then he should take the car in for repair.

[FrankM]

i hope it dont snap off when i try to take it out to look at it , if it looks good should i leave it alone ? Thank Frank

[auxmike]

I changed out both of mine. They weren't that bad. They did have what looked like mulch on them. I think they get like 118 ft lbs. pretty good workout while laying on ones back!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by auxmike

I changed out both of mine. They weren't that bad. They did have what looked like mulch on them. I think they get like 118 ft lbs. pretty good workout while laying on ones back!

[CoryM]

Was working on a 2012 SE today and it looks like they still haven't corrected the problem. Loosened both bolts with my impact gun (doing alignment) and both sprayed rusty water at me. Not good. I think the best fix for most of us would be drilling a small hole to drain the water, rather than trying to prevent water from getting in. I need to align my car soon, so will try to figure something out and take pictures while it is apart.

[JumpmanYaris]

That will weaken the bolt

[CoryM]

Originally Posted by JumpmanYaris

That will weaken the bolt

Drill the subframe, not the bolt

[FrankM]

Originally Posted by CoryM

Drill the subframe, not the bolt

can you post a picture of where to drill the hole , THanks That would be a big help .

[Hershey]

Yesterday , brought the T.S.B. to service center and they said they look fine . Also denied to fix a waterpump ( different post ) .

[FrankM]

what will happen if it brakes when i am driveing the car at 65 on the high way , do i die ? do you lose control of the car ?

[Hershey]

Wish they would just replace the bolts .

[FrankM]

i dont want to try to take them out , to change them ,if they should brake off , it will be a big job.

[FrankM]

i take it you drill the holes about a half inch to the side of the bolt head , so the water can drain out ?

[FrankM]

so if it brakes , you dont lose control of the car , just asking ? sounds like a big deal to me .

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by FrankM

so if it brakes , you dont lose control of the car , just asking ? sounds like a big deal to me .

It won't cause any catastrophic issues if it fails, since it is captive in a pocket. The worst that will happen is that it will thump around in the pocket. You can see the pocket in the picture that I posted in the other thread:

[CoryM]

As CTScott said, it is unlikely that the control arm will come out. I say unlikely because it is still possible. While the broken part of the bolt will contain the control arm, there is no tension on the threads to hold the bolt in. So if you drive it and do not hear, or notice the noises that (presumably) it is making eventually it is certainly possible that what is left of the bolt will work it's way out. That being said, if the bolt rusted enough to break, chances are the threads are rusted as well which will help hold it in. I'm willing to bet that eventually someone, somewhere, will have the back of a control arm bolt fall completely out. I'm always amazed at what some people do not notice on their cars. Some people drive with wheel bearings so noisy you have to yell to be heard over them, and they have no idea there is something wrong.

In regards to where to cut/drill to drain the bushing, I haven't had a chance to get my car on the rack yet (and I need to re-align my car any time those are out. Rebuild/Racecar :þ ). In the above picture, in the middle of the black rubber part that CTScott drew a line through is a metal cylinder that the bolt goes through. That cylinder (sleeve) is what needs to be drained. So either a small nick in the edge of it, or a cut in the subframe below to help drain. Toyota is trying to seal it, which may or may not be feasible.

Cheers.

[LugNut]

This repair covered for non-original owners?