Suspension - Rear Trailing Arm Squeaking/Rubbing Noise
No: TSB-02-34-OO1DATE: August, 2002
MODEL:
2001-02 Eclipse
2001-02 Eclipse Spyder
2001-02 Galant
SUBJECT:
SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARMS
This bulletin updates and replaces TSB-01-34-001, issued July 2001, which should be discarded.
PURPOSE
This bulletin contains instructions for replacing the rear suspension trailing arm bushings to eliminate a squeaking or rubbing noise.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Symptom
A squeaking or a hard rubbing noise may be heard from the rear suspension when traveling over bumps. This condition usually happens when operating the vehicle during cold weather.
Cause
The squeaking or rubbing noise may be caused by the rear suspension trailing arm bushings rubbing together or possibly contacting the vehicle underbody.
^ Some vehicles produced before 5/4/01 may have bushings constructed of a rubber compound which can cause such a noise.
^ Vehicles built before 2/25/02 may have bushings shaped in a way that there is body contact by the bushing in the trailing arm mount area.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is built after that 2/25/02 and has no bushing to body contact, the source of the noise may be somewhere else.
Remedy
^ REPAIR FOR BUSHING/STOPPER SQUEAK
If the vehicle exhibits bushing noise but no body contact and was built before 5/4/01, replace all 8 bushing/stoppers (both sides). The new bushings listed in this bulletin are made from the correct rubber compound with improved lubrication to reduce the tendency to squeak.
^ REPAIR WHEN BODY CONTACT IS IDENTIFIED
a) If body contact is evident and the vehicle was built before 5/4/01, replace all 8 bushing/stoppers with the new parts listed in this bulletin.
b) If body contact is found and the vehicle was built after 5/4/01, replace the bushing/stoppers ONLY on the side where the body contact was discovered. These vehicles already have bushings with the improved rubber compound. The new bushings listed in this bulletin have a modified shape and a beveled edge for more clearance in the area of potential body contact.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
2001-02 Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, & Galant built before:
^ 5/4/01 for bushing noise
^ 2/25/02 for body contact causing bushing noise
PROCEDURE
^ REPAIR FOR BUSHING/STOPPER SQUEAK
If the vehicle exhibits bushing noise but no body contact and was built before 5/4/01, replace all 8 bushing/stoppers (both sides) using the instructions below. The new bushings listed in this bulletin are made from the correct rubber compound with improved lubrication to reduce the tendency to squeak.
^ REPAIR WHEN BODY CONTACT IS IDENTIFIED
a) If body contact is evident and the vehicle was built before 5/4/01, replace all 8 bushing/stoppers with the new parts listed in this bulletin.
b) If body contact is found and the vehicle was built after 5/4/01, replace the bushing/stoppers ONLY on the side where the body contact was discovered. These vehicles already have bushings with the improved rubber compound.
NOTE:
Make sure you first interview the customer and record the conditions present when the squeak/rubbing noise was first noticed (speed, while turning, over large bumps, etc.) Verify the noise so you can confirm that the following procedures were effective by duplicating the conditions with a test drive.
A. Trailing Arm Removal
1. Raise the vehicle on a lift so the suspension is extended and remove the rear wheel/tire assembly.
2. Remove the knuckle and trailing arm rear bolt/nut (A).
3. Remove the body plug to access the trailing arm attachment bolt/nut (B).
4. Remove the attachment bolt/nut (B) then remove the trailing arm to access the bushings.
5. If the vehicle was built before 5/4/01, proceed with Section C, Bushing/Stopper Replacement. If the vehicle was produced after 5/4/01, inspect the vehicle for trailing arm bushing contact on the body panel using the instructions in Section B, Inspection.
B. Inspection
If the exact location of the abnormal noise cannot be determined, first check the installation of all suspension related parts for abnormal wear, damaged parts, and tightening torque. If these items are OK and you have determined that the abnormal noise is coming from the rear trailing arm area, inspect the body panel area above the outer trailing arm bushing mounting location for contact. If there is evidence of contact, replace the bushings/stoppers as instructed. Refer to the illustration shown.
1. Check the body mounting bracket areas where the trailing arms attach for evidence of rubbing from the trailing arms stoppers.
2. Check, also, the outer diameter of the stoppers for evidence of contact or wear.
3. If body contact is identified, proceed with bushing replacement using the instructions in Section C, Bushing/Stopper Replacement.
C. Bushing/Stopper Replacement
1. Replace the bushings using the illustration as a guide, reassemble then reattach the trailing arm assembly to the body mount and knuckle using the original bolts and nuts. (The smaller diameter, notched bushing is the outside bushing and the larger diameter, circular bushing goes on the inside.) Temporarily hand-tighten the nuts.
NOTE:
^ If body contact is evident and the vehicle was built before 5/4/01, replace all 8 bushing/stoppers.
^ If body contact is found and the vehicle was built after 5/4/01, replace the bushing/stoppers ONLY on the side where the body contact was discovered.
2. Verify the contact is eliminated either by rotating the part in the bracket, or applying chalk to the stopper and checking for transfer to the body.
3. Install the rear wheel/tire, then lower the vehicle to the ground before final tightening of the trailing arm attachment bolts and nuts.
CAUTION:
The trailing arm nuts should be temporarily tightened when on the lift, then fully tightened with the weight of the vehicle on the suspension. Unless these tightening procedures are followed closely suspension noises may still be present after bushing replacement.
4. Tighten the trailing arm assembly mounting nut which attaches the trailing arm to the body to the standard torque value (137 - 157 Nm [100 - 114 ft-lbs]). Tighten the knuckle and trailing arm assembly connecting nut to the standard value (118 - 137 Nm [87 - 101 ft-lbs]).
5. Replace the body plug to cover the access hole.
6. Test drive to make sure the repair was successful.
PARTS INFORMATION
Use the genuine Mitsubishi Part shown.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty Coverage: 36 months/36,000 miles.
Special Warranty Information: Normal warranty procedures apply.