Question 1

What steps are involved in the removal and installation of the trailing arm and how should rear suspension fasteners be tightened in relation to the Control Arm on Mazda 6?

Accepted Answer

Any rear suspension fasteners should only be tightened with the hub raised to simulate normal ride height, which can be achieved by supporting the trailing arm with a floor jack. Begin by loosening the wheel lug nuts, raising the jack stands, blocking the front wheels to prevent rolling, and removing the wheel. Support the rear lower control arm with a floor jack, then remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. Raise the lower control arm and remove the outboard bolt securing the upper arm to the trailing arm. Lower the jack to relieve tension from the upper arm and adjust the shock absorber as needed to remove the upper arm. Remove the pivot bolt from the inner end of the arm and take out the arm, with installation being the reverse of removal and fasteners tightened to the specified torque. For the lower suspension arm, remove the rear coil spring, mark the position of the cam adjuster bolt and nut, and then remove the arm from the vehicle, ensuring that during installation, the cam adjuster bolt is aligned with the match marks and a new nut is used, with fasteners tightened to the specified torque. If a new trailing arm is being installed, remove the caliper dust shield and the four bolts on the inboard side of the trailing arm, and if reusing the arm, leave the wheel spindle bolted in place. Unbolt the brake hose and brake line brackets from the trailing arm, as well as the parking brake cable brackets from the caliper and trailing arm. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor and unbolt the harness brackets from the trailing arm. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack positioned underneath the coil spring pocket, then remove the lower shock absorber bolt, the outboard toe-link bolt, and the trailing arm. Remove the outboard bolt at the upper arm and the outboard bolts at the lower arm, followed by the two front trailing arm mounting bolts. Inspect the trailing arm pivot bushing for signs of deterioration; if replacement is needed, take the trailing arm to an automotive machine shop for the bushing replacement. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring all fasteners are tightened to the proper torque specifications, bleeding the brakes only if a hydraulic fitting was loosened, and having the rear wheel alignment checked and adjusted if necessary.

Question 2

What precautions should be taken when using a Control Arm during suspension bolt replacement and lower arm removal on Mazda 6?

Accepted Answer

Warning All the suspension bolts must be changed with new ones when assembling. To remove the lower arms of 2008 and earlier model first loosen the lug nuts of the wheel on the side to be removed, raise the front side of the car, place on jackstands and take off the wheel. Detach the steering shaft and steering gear, not to rotate the steering wheel that would damage airbag clockspring. Unhook the tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles, then loosen screws of steering gear. Dis-attach the exhaust pipe(s) of the exhaust manifold(s) and place floor jack at the back of the subframe. Unscrew the front subframe mounting bolts, un screw the rear subframe mounting bolts and jack the rear of the subframe down using the jack. In either lower arm, loosen the lower arm-to-balljoint nut, and place a block of wood beneath the outer CV joint of the driveaxle to avoid harm, and a balljoint removal tool to separate the balljoint. When removing the front lower arm, also remove the damage fork mounting bolt in the front lower control arm, the arm-to-subframe mounting bolt, and then the lower control arm. To work on the 3.7L V6 models, on the right hand, in 2009 and beyond, one will have to remove the front exhaust pipe. Disassemble the ABS sensor and bracket, brake hose, the stabilizer control link upper nut, the control arm-to-knuckle nuts and lower arm-to-subframe through bolt nut. Take out the subframe support bracket mounting nut and bolts, and support the subframe on a jack, loosen the subframe mounting bolts, and then bring the subframe down to reach the bolts at the rear of the arm, and make sure to remove any mounting brackets of hoses attached to the subframe. Disassemble the subframe of the vehicle by taking out the lower arm rear mounting bolts, front through bolt and remove the arm. The top end of the steering knuckle is connected to the upper control arm by a balljoint and to two spots on the chassis by the pivot bolts. Unscrew the wheel speed sensor and 3 upper strut-to-body nuts, detach the balljoint on top of the steering knuckle, and unscrew the inner arm mounting bolts and the upper arm. In the case of 2009 and subsequent models, disassemble the transverse member with the removal of the transverse member mounting nuts then the transverse member itself. Check distortion of the control arm and wear of bushings, replacing where needed, and never make the attempt to straighten a bent control arm. Installation is the opposite of removal, which is to make sure that all the fasteners are tightened up to required torque values. Positively lift the outer end of the control arm using a floor jack before securing the fasteners of the control arm to create simulated normal ride height. In the case of upper control arms, the pivot bolts are to be installed loosely and a 0.25-inch diameter drill bit through the two holes that are cut just below the bushing is used to position the appropriate height setting of the pivot bolts. Lastly, attach the wheel and lug nuts and then lower the vehicle and screw-in the lug nuts until they reach the required torque and after finishing the job it is always recommended to check front wheel alignment and adjust the lug nuts as needed.

Genuine Mazda 6 Control Arm

39 Control Arms found

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GP9A-28-C10

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GEA1-34-250

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GS3M-34-200

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GS3M-34-250

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: G26A-28-C10

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GEA1-34-200

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GBFN-28-C10

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GHP9-28-350A

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GBFN-28-300

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GBFN-28-350

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GHP9-28-300A

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GS3L-28-300B

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GS3L-28-350B

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GV2W-34-200

Mazda 6 Rear Lower Control Arm Part Number: GR1A-34-J50

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GS3L-34-300B

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GHP9-34-300M

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GHP9-34-350M

Mazda 6 Upper Control Arm Part Number: GV2W-34-250

Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm Part Number: GS3L-34-350B

Mazda 6 Control Arm

Mazda 6 Control Arm Parts and Q&A

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