TSBCHA040

GROUP
CHA
NUMBER
MODEL
2012MY Optima (TF/QF)
2011-2012MY Optima (TF
HEV)
DATE
040
August 2013
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SUBJECT:
SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150)
This bulletin provides the procedure for replacing both rear lower control arms on some Optima
(TF), Optima (QF) and Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles produced from February 15, 2011
through April 5, 2012, that are in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used for de-icing in
the winter months (see table below for applicable production date ranges). Resulting corrosion
will cause a knocking or clunking noise from the lower control arm which will be heard by the
occupants. The 21 states which are known to use heavy amounts of road salt are: CT, DC, DE,
IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI and WV. Before
conducting the procedure, verify the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.
AFFECTED MODELS:
Model
Production Date Range
Optima (TF)
From February 17, 2012 to April 3, 2012
Optima (QF)
From August 9, 2011 to April 5, 2012
Optima Hybrid (TF Hybrid)
From February 15, 2011 to April 3, 2012
 NOTICE
A Service Action is a repair program without customer notification that is performed
during the warranty period. Any dealer requesting to perform this repair outside the
warranty period will require DPSM approval.
Repair status for a VIN is provided on WebDCS (Service> Warranty Coverage>
Warranty Coverage Inquiry> Campaign Information). Not completed Recall / Service
Action reports are available on WebDCS (Consumer Affairs> Not Completed Recall>
Recall VIN> Select Report), which includes a list of affected vehicles.
This issue number is SA150.
File Under: 
Circulate To:
X General Manager


X Service Advisors

X Technicians

X Service Manager

X Parts Manager

X Body Shop Manager 
X Fleet Repair
Page 2 of 5
SUBJECT:
SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150)
 NOTICE
VINs which start with KNA are designated Optima (TF/TF HEV) and built in South
Korea. VINs that start with 5XX are designated Optima (QF) and built in the United
States.
Service Procedure:
1.
Lift the vehicle off the ground.
2.
Remove the rear wheels.
Lug nut tightening torque:
65.1~79.6 lb-ft (88.3~107.9 Nm)
3.
Place a transmission jack (A) directly
below the left side lower control arm, as
shown.
A
A
4.
Remove the sway bar mounting nut (B)
and the sway bar joint from the linkage.
Tightening torque:
72.3~86.8 lb-ft (99~117 Nm)
TSB: CHA 040/SA150 Optima (TF/QF/TF HEV) August 2013
B
Page 3 of 5
SUBJECT:
5.
SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150)
Remove the nut (C) securing the lower
control arm bolt to the spindle.
Tightening torque:
101.3~115.7lb-ft (138~156 Nm)
C
 NOTICE
Prior to performing step 6, make an
alignment mark (D) on the eccentric
washer and the sub-frame, as shown.
This will make the rear alignment
procedure easier to perform.
6.
Remove the mounting nut (E) from the
bolt securing the lower control arm to
the sub-frame.
D
E
7.
Remove the lower control arm bolt from
the spindle side and carefully lower the
transmission jack to remove the coil
spring (F).
F
TSB: CHA 040/SA150 Optima (TF/QF/TF HEV) August 2013
Page 4 of 5
SUBJECT:
8.
SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150)
Remove the lower control arm
mounting bolt (G) from the sub-frame
side.
G
9.
Remove the left lower control arm from
the vehicle.
 TIP
On the right side of the vehicle, the
fuel tank (H) will interfere with the
removal of the sub-frame side lower
control arm bolt (I). Slightly twist the
lower control arm, as shown, to
achieve the required clearance
between the bolt and the fuel tank.
10.
Remove the right side lower control
arm by following the steps above.
11.
Reinstall all components by reversing
the order of removal.
12.
Perform a four wheel alignment and
test drive the vehicle to confirm proper
operation.
TSB: CHA 040/SA150 Optima (TF/QF/TF HEV) August 2013
H
I
Page 5 of 5
SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150)
SUBJECT:
REQUIRED PART:
Part Name
Part No.
Figure
Rear Lower
Arm Kit
55277 3Q888QQK
Comments
1 KIT includes both rear
lower control arms.
(LH, RH)
AFFECTED VEHICLE PRODUCTION RANGE:
Model
Production Date Range
Optima (TF)
From February 17, 2012 to April 3, 2012
Optima (QF)
From August 9, 2011 to April 5, 2012
Optima Hybrid (TF Hybrid)
From February 15, 2011 to April 3, 2012
 NOTICE
VINs which start with KNA are designated Optima (TF/TF HEV) and built in South
Korea. VINs that start with 5XX are designated Optima (QF) and built in the United
States.
SERVICE ACTION WARRANTY INFORMATION:
Claim Causal
N
C
Qty.
Type
P/N
Code Code
V
55220
3Q110
0
N59
C07
Repair
Description
Labor Op
Code
Op
Time
Replacement
P/N
Qty.
(SA150)
Rear lower arm
replace (Both) &
Align
130069R0
1.8
M/H
55277
3Q888QQK
1
 NOTICE
VIN inquiry data for this repair is provided for tracking purposes only. Kia retailers
should reference SA150 when accessing the WebDCS system.
TSB: CHA 040/SA150 Optima (TF/QF/TF HEV) August 2013