2013~2016 Inspecting and Re-Torquing my Lower Control Arms

ColoradoDriver

4/20/13: 2014 CX-5 Touring AWD - 150k miles
Contributor
:
Denver, CO
Hi all,

I replaced my front lower control arms back in the summer of 2024. One thing I am noticing is I am hearing a slight creaking noise.

It was my first time doing such a job and for the life of me I can't remember if I remembered to raise the knuckle to ride height before torquing everything down.

I don't have a place where I currently reside to work on this kind of job, but will get access to a family member's garage tomorrow. I need to take all 4 brakes / rotors off and see about cleaning the wheel hubs because of some vibrations I am getting when braking. Rotors all feel smooth and pads plenty thick, so thought clean up the hubs and regrease the slide pins on the calipers just to be safe. While I was at it, was thinking of loosening and then re-torquing both lower control arms (with knuckle raised to ride height) because I am just second guessing myself now and what I did in 2024. Also gives me a chance to inspect the bushings and hopefully they are in ok condition if I did screw it up.

So my question is: I seem to be finding conflicting info on bolt torque specs aside from the bolt and nut securing the ball joint (seems to be around 30 ft lb). Does anyone have any info for the remaining bolts?

Secondly, since I would be touching the suspension, guessing would have to get an alignment done again?
 
Last edited:
Looks like ...
158 - 191 FT-LBS for the horizontal bolt
103 - 124 FT-LBS for the shorter vertical bolt
101 - 126 FT-LBS for the longer vertical bolt

https://mazdamanuals.com.au/wsm-secure/WSM/D9F2-1A-25A/

I wouldn't think you'd be changing any alignment specs just by re-torquing the bolts.

Also, I don't see how it would make any difference if there was weight on the suspension when torquing the vertical bolts.

1000010796.webp
 
Looks like ...
158 - 191 FT-LBS for the horizontal bolt
103 - 124 FT-LBS for the shorter vertical bolt
101 - 126 FT-LBS for the longer vertical bolt

https://mazdamanuals.com.au/wsm-secure/WSM/D9F2-1A-25A/

I wouldn't think you'd be changing any alignment specs just by re-torquing the bolts.

Also, I don't see how it would make any difference if there was weight on the suspension when torquing the vertical bolts.

View attachment 381046
Thank you!

Well will see how it looks. Something is creaking down there. Suppose it could be something else.
 

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