GROUP
CHA

MODEL
2018MY
Niro (DE PHEV)

NUMBER
089

DATE
April 2018

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT (SA338)

This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the rear lower control arms and/or damaged
wheel(s) on some 2018MY Niro (DE PHEV) vehicles, produced from September 26, 2017
through January 22, 2018, which may experience a noise from the rear lower control arm
rubbing against the inner part of the wheel rim. Kia is requesting the completion of this Service
Action on all affected vehicles in dealer stock, prior to delivery. Before conducting the
procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.

 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 SA338.
File Under:
Circulate To:

X General Manager


X Service Advisors


X Technicians


X Service Manager


X Parts Manager


X Body Shop Manager  Fleet Repair


Page 2 of 5
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT (SA338)

Replacement Procedure:
1. Lift vehicle on hoist and remove the rear
wheels. Inspect the inner wheel rim area
on both wheels for possible damage from
rubbing against the Lower Control Arm
(LCA) in the area shown. If no damage is
found from the LCA rubbing against the
wheels, set the wheels aside to re-install
after completing this procedure.

 NOTICE
If wheel damage is present, then
a replacement wheel(s) will be
required prior to completing this
bulletin. To ensure complete
customer
satisfaction,
any
noticeable sign of rubbing to
wheel(s) from the LCA is cause
for replacement of the wheel(s).
2.

Install a supporting jack under the left
rear lower control arm as shown and
allow for more than 8 inches of lowering
adjustment to supporting jack.

3.

Remove the retaining lower shock bolt
(A) and the stabilizer link bolt (B).

B

Tightening torque bolt (A):
72.3 – 86.7 lb-ft. (98.0 – 117.6 N.m.,
10.0 – 12.0 kgf.m)
Tightening torque bolt (B):
14.5 – 21.7 lb-ft. (19.6 – 29.4 N.m.,
2.0 – 3.0 kgf.m)

TSB: SA338 Niro (DE PHEV) April 2018

A

Page 3 of 5
SUBJECT:

4.

SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT (SA338)

Remove the brake line retaining bracket
bolt (C) and let brake line hang loose.

C

5.

Remove the hub carrier to control arm
retaining bolt (D).
Tightening torque bolt (D):
101.3 – 115.7 lb-ft. (137.3 – 156.9 N.m.,
14.0 – 16.0 kgf.m)

D

6.

Using a marking pen, mark an alignment
dot as shown on the retaining camber
bolt/nut (E) washer and rear cross
member surface for reference.

E

7.

Loosen the control arm retaining nut/bolt
(E) from the rear cross member.

CAUTION

E

Do not remove the LCA
retaining nut/bolt (E) at this time
as there is coil spring tension
present on the LCA. Proceed to
the next step prior to removal.

TSB: SA338 Niro (DE PHEV) April 2018

Page 4 of 5
SUBJECT:

8.

SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT (SA338)

Carefully lower the supporting jack
adjustment to relieve the coil spring
tension from the lower control arm
assembly. Once spring tension is no
longer present, proceed to remove the
LCA retaining nut and bolt (E) to remove
the lower control arm from the vehicle.

E

Tightening torque bolt (E):
79.6 – 86.8 lb-ft. (107.9 – 117.7 N.m.,
11.0 – 12.0 kgf.m)
9.

E

Install the new and improved rear lower
control arm (LCA) from the kit in the
reverse order of removal as well as all
other removed parts.

 NOTICE
Ensure to re-install the lower
coil spring bushing (F) before
installing the new LCA on the
vehicle.
10. Repeat the procedure from steps 2-9 for
the other side.
11. Reinstall the rear wheels/tires with
hubcaps, insert the lug nuts and torque
to specification.
If wheel(s) required replacement, remove
tire(s) + TPMS sensor(s) and reinstall
onto new wheel(s) by referring to the
“Suspension System → Tires/Wheels →
Tire → Repair Procedures” chapter in the
applicable Shop Manual on KGIS.
Tightening torque (wheel lug nut):
79.6 – 94.0 lb-ft. (107.9 – 127.5 N.m.,
11.0 – 13.0 kgf.m)
12. Check wheel alignment by referring to
the “Suspension System → Tires/Wheels
→ Alignment → Repair Procedures”
chapter in the applicable Shop Manual
on KGIS.
TSB: SA338 Niro (DE PHEV) April 2018

F

Page 5 of 5

SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM
REPLACEMENT (SA338)

SUBJECT:

AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
Model

Production Date Range

Niro (DE PHEV)

September 26, 2017 through January 22, 2018

REQUIRED PART:
Part Name

Part Number

Figure

Rear (LCA)
Lower Control Arm Kit
(Left & Right)

55210 G2501QQK

Alloy Wheel

52910 G5140

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
N Code: N99 C Code: C99
Claim
Type

V

Causal P/N

55210 G2500

Qty.

0

Repair
Description

Labor
Op Code

Op
Time

Replacement
P/N

Qty.

(SA338)
Rear Lower Control Arm Kit
Replacement + Alignment

180020R1

2.0

55210 G2501QQK

1

55210 G2501QQK

1

52910 G5140

1

55210 G2501QQK

1

52910 G5140

2

(SA338)
Rear Lower Control Arm Kit
Replacement + Alignment
+ One Alloy Wheel
Replaced

(SA338)
Rear Lower Control Arm Kit
Replacement + Alignment
+ Two Alloy Wheels
Replaced

180020R2

180020R3

2.2

2.4

Replacement wheel(s) will be on 100% automated part return to Warranty Parts Return Center
(WPRC). Failure to return wheel(s) is subject to charge back.

 NOTICE
VIN inquiry data for this repair is provided for tracking purposes only. Kia retailers
should reference SA338 when accessing the WebDCS system.

TSB: SA338 Niro (DE PHEV) April 2018