Lower trailing arm falling off?

[asnorton44]

I recently had upper and lower trailing arms replaced to fix death sway but I have still had weird movement in the axle recently. The repair was done about 8 weeks ago. I got under the car and the driver side lower is falling apart? There is some piece that is just hanging there!

Here is a photo:


Should I not drive it until its towed back to the shop? What could have happened?

[donald]

Had to go out to my Q to see what that part connected to
Anyway, it looks like it connected to the rear-bolt of the lower control arm. And if that part (whatever it is) is slipping off like that, then likely the bolt is unsecured.

Your bolt doesn't look like it's backing out of the joint so far, but does look drivable (in my non-technical analysis), but definitely drive with care (no sudden acceleration, stop, turns, etc). Should drive it like a DMV-exam until you can have it looked at, and you should have it looked at quick.
It might not require a shop, you might be able to do a 1st-level visual on it by removing the rear wheel and seeing if you can get better access to see if either the nut wasn't torqued properly, or if the nut is completely gone.

I'm sure you already know what it looks like, but I took the same picture of what mine currently looks like


good luck! and drive safe.

[asnorton44]

Looks like they re-used bolts which failed:



Do you think the arm will have to be replaced? Its got less than 250 miles on it.

[donald]

oh wow... arms likely don't have to be replaced (that's what the inner metal sleeve is for... hopefully they installed that).

Likely will simply need the bolt and nut hardware replaced.

But now seeing the other side of the bolt completly gone, I would say that drive it ONLY IF YOU MUST. I'd personally have it towed, but that's mostly because my insurance covers towing to a shop.

As you said, that bolt/nut has failed, and now it does seem the bolt has backed out from holding the lower arm in place. You definitely don't want to drag your lower arm on the asphalt if you're driving
1. it'll very likely cause unstable suspension. From what I gather there are 5 rods that connect the rear axle to the body - 2 uppers, 2 lowers, and the panhard rod (and of course the shocks).
2. you'll get nice sparks out the back of your car, attracting the attention of any law enforcement to stop you
3. if it drops, it could cause damage to the arm requiring you to buy a new one. And by damage, I don't mean scratches :P it could get bent or warped or the cuff could get bent, etc.

and if you do return it to the shop... make sure they check ALL bolts. And require them to change them out too.
Personally, I would try to have them change them all out at no cost (parts and labor) as they should have replaced the bolts anyhow. It should be in a mechanic's nature to suggest to you to change nuts/bolts on suspension parts that are visually worn.

if you don't want to leave it at the shop for hours or whatever, you could try going to the Nissan/Infiniti dealership and requesting the hardware from them and doing it yourself. It looks like a simple enough task, as I've never done the arms (yet!) myself.
Looks like you'd be able to just slip a new bolt/nut in without jacking the rig up... but I'm not sure

[Chuck Tribolet]

I would NOT drive it.

FSM says replace the bolts and nuts when reassembling the control arms.

When they are tightened, FSM says to have the suspension loaded. The easiest way to do that is to drop the spare, put it in the back of the truck, and jack up by the differential. Take off the wheels, tighten control arm bolts/nuts. I forget the torque spec but it's quite a lot. Put wheels back on, done.

Final step is never do business with that shop again.


Chuck

[asnorton44]

Got it to the shop, the owner said he knew why it fell off something about a lock nut. So you knew it might fail yet let me drive off the lot?

Here is the new bolt:


I am gonna have it taken somewhere else to make sure all the other bolts are good. God knows what would have happened had I not looked under the car.

[Chuck Tribolet]

So now there's a lock nut and a lock washer.

Chuck

[asnorton44]

So now there's a lock nut and a lock washer.

Chuck

Yes and the truck is driving as expected. In regards to the trailing arm replacements; should the panhard rod also be replaced? Is there a way to test the panhard rod integrity?