T-SB-0083-21

September 21, 2021

Squeak Noise Over Uneven Surfaces With Suspension
in Low Height Position
Service
Category

Suspension

Section

Rear Suspension

Market USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

2018 - 2020

Land Cruiser

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Introduction

Some 2018 – 2020 model year Land Cruiser vehicles equipped with Active Height Control may
exhibit a squeak noise from the rear of the vehicle over uneven surfaces when the suspension is
set to the low height position. The squeak noise is caused by contact between the passenger rear
lower control arm and lower control arm support bracket. Follow the Repair Procedure in this
bulletin to address this condition.

Production Change Information

This bulletin applies to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VIN
shown below.
MODEL

PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN

Land Cruiser

JTMCY7AJ#L4087876

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© 2021 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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Squeak Noise Over Uneven Surfaces With Suspension in Low Height Position
Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

OFP

T1

T2

SU1910*

Visual Inspection To Confirm Condition

0.0

5150C-60010

91

57

*Use sublet type “ZZ” for body shop repairs. Invoice required to be attached to the warranty claim.
See Warranty Policy 8.22 for additional information on submitting claims for sublet work.

APPLICABLE WARRANTY
• This repair is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for
36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in
this bulletin.

Required Tools & Equipment

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REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIAL

QUANTITY

Masking Tape

1

Cut-off Tool

1

Cut-off Wheel

1

Bonded Abrasive Disc

1

Two-Part Epoxy Primer

1

Black Topcoat

1

© 2021 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0083-21

September 21, 2021

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Squeak Noise Over Uneven Surfaces With Suspension in Low Height Position
Repair Procedure

1. Confirm the condition exists.

Figure 1.

Set the suspension height to neutral or
high and visually inspect the passenger
rear lower control arm and lower control
arm support bracket.
Are there signs of contact/witness marks
between the two components?
•

YES — Sublet the vehicle to a qualified
collision repair facility for repair.

•

NO — This bulletin does NOT apply.
Continue diagnosis using the
applicable Repair Manual.

NOTE
The remaining steps in this bulletin are for the collision repair facility.

2. Disconnect the lower control arm from the bracket.
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
•

2018 – 2020 Land Cruiser:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – “Rear Suspension: Rear Lower Arm: Removal”

3. Using masking tape, mark the support
bracket to use as a guide for removing
excess material.

Figure 2.

1
c

2
c

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1

Cut Line

2

Excess (Remove Less Than 5 mm)

© 2021 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0083-21

September 21, 2021

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Squeak Noise Over Uneven Surfaces With Suspension in Low Height Position
Repair Procedure (continued)

4. Using a cut-off wheel, remove the excess material from the control arm bracket.
NOTICE
Do NOT remove more than 5 mm. Removing more than 5 mm could negatively impact the
strength of the component.

5. Remove the masking tape used as the
cut line guide.
Using a bonded abrasive disc, remove the
burrs and smooth the surface of the cut.

Figure 3.

6. Using a bonded abrasive disc, buff the
contact/witness marks on the control arm.

Figure 4.

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Squeak Noise Over Uneven Surfaces With Suspension in Low Height Position
Repair Procedure (continued)

7. According to the coating manufacturer recommendations, prepare the newly exposed metal
on both the control arm and control arm support bracket for coating.
8. Using a two-part epoxy primer, coat the exposed metal of the control arm and control arm
bracket. Follow manufacturer recommendations for mixing, application, and cure time.
NOTE
According to TS-CRIB-186-D, when electrophoretic-deposition primer (E-coat) is damaged or
removed, it should be replicated with a two-component primer or epoxy primer. Etch primer does not
exhibit the corrosion prevention characteristics of primer or epoxy primer and E-coat over the long
term; therefore, it is not recommended as a substitute for E-coat, primer, or epoxy primer.

9. Cover the primer with a black topcoat. Follow manufacturer recommendations for application
and cure time.

10. Reconnect the control arm to the bracket.
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
•

2018 – 2020 Land Cruiser:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – “Rear Suspension: Rear Lower Arm: Installation”

11. Set the suspension height to the low setting and test-drive over the vehicle uneven surfaces
to verify the noise has been eliminated.
12. Visually inspect the control arm and bracket while in the low setting to verify that the two
components are no longer making contact.

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© 2021 Toyota Motor Sales, USA