INEOS CAMPAIGN: trailing arm bolts being monitored

[OkGo]

i guess these are the kind of marks you have in mind ? The red ones..

 

[TheDocAUS]

They allow a visual check to ensure any bolt is in its proper place. If the lines diverge, tighten the bolt.

 

[OkGo]

Yup used them for decades at this point in various spots. But have never known a dealer to add these ad-hoc. Which seemed like you were saying was done to your car? Mine seem to have these marks all over the place.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Yup used them for decades at this point in various spots. But have never known a dealer to add these ad-hoc. Which seemed like you were saying was done to your car? Mine seem to have these marks all over the place.

On my car, they were added as part of an INEOS Campaign. I just jumped on board for other bolts, to make checks easier when I go remote.

 

[Clark Kent]

Yup used them for decades at this point in various spots. But have never known a dealer to add these ad-hoc. Which seemed like you were saying was done to your car? Mine seem to have these marks all over the place.

Most modern vehicles have marks like this. Many valid reasons for it, none of which are alarming:

• The QA team is doing programmed sampling checks.
• There may be a temporary monitoring program on specific locations after a non-conformance was found.
• There may be a procedure change on the production line and they're monitoring for implementation as the change works through.
• Technicians might apply their own reminder marks during maintenance. They should remove them afterwards but often don't.
• There may be a post-production QC program to catch-up changes on a batch of VINs.

That last one was the case in Hambach. After the first full production batch of Grenadiers went down the line those vehicles went into a batch-and-hold process whilst a program of selected checks and changes was conducted. Depending on the VIN, that's where a lot of these marks came from, plus some random cable ties .

If applied during or after production they're considered to be witness marks applied by an inspector. If specifically applied to intersect a fastener they're considered to be creep marks. If the formed line is broken something has shifted due to a loss of torque and should be investigated.

A creep mark system requires discipline to remove the old marks before applying a new mark or it loses value as a visual aid.
Unlike this example of my RHR lower forward link bolt. The inside (nut side) is different again.