Castor correction in Seattle & a couple other questions

[EDPA]

1. Does anyone know who presses in castor correction bushings in/around the Seattle area? I'd perfer to find someone who is familiar with this procedure, instead of trying to talk my way into helping the press operator at a shop as to exactly what needs to be done.

2. After the putting the vehicle on level ground and getting my measurements, do I need to lift the front end to remove the control arms and reinstall after the new bushings are in place?

3. Can't one just press the new front bushing in with the marker on it pointing down and measure the hole spacing on the axle housing to obtain the correct spacing for the other bushing while keeping its marker pointing up as much as possible?

4. Instructions say bolts should not be reused. Is the essential? If so what is the type of bolts do you replace them with?

Thanks in advanced

 

[Junk]

Since ARB is in your area, why not just call them and ask for their local dealer? Any shop selling ARB stuff better know how to install it. Then again, there are some real wingwingding shops out there.

 

[John E Davies]

I took my '96 LX450 to Olympic 4x4 in Snohomish a couple of summers ago and they installed the OME caster correction bushings without incident. It was their first time, but maybe they remember how to do it. They didn't need the "special" tool - most shops have all sorts of press bushings and tools, and a big socket often suffices. They DID say that it was a bugger too remove the old bushings and they were glad they had a 20 ton press.

I suggest you just make an appointment and drop off the truck in the shop of your choice. That way if there is a misalignment issue with one of the bushings, you won't have to make multiple trips back. There is NO way you could fix a misaligned bushing in your driveway

If the manual recommends replacing the bolts, do it. Use oem Toyota parts and anti-seize compound. (I didn't know that fact - the shop reused mine since they were in good condition.) The easy way is to just pick up the phone and order a full set of hardware from cruiserdan.

John

 

[PHAEDRUS]

edpa,
olympic is a pretty reputable shop so far as I have heard. A lot of the collision shops I work wiht use them without incident.
as ot the bolts they recommend that you do not reuse them as you have to hold the nut fixed and turn out the bolt. the nut head is serrated to it will not back out. other than that its not all that difficult but you do need at least a 20 ton press to pull it off. I did mine myself but had acess to a press back then. not so lucky now or I would volunteer.
Dave

 

[EDPA]

Junk - Yeah, you think ARB would know but the places they recommended couldn't do it so I gave up asking them.

John - Where in Snohomish is this place? I did find out that NAPA has a press and could do it, but I'll probably contact Olympic.

Phaedrus - Thanks for volunteering anyway and clearing up the bolt issue. BTW, I got my truck back after my crash, but now I'm dealing with post-collision repair issues!!!

 

[lx450landcruiser]

pleease let me know what u do as i have yet do do mine as well and ive been driving on mine for months and months and well over 6000 miles. id really like to do mine just didnt know hwere or what to expect money wise.

thanks
mike

 

[1FE pig]

lx450landcruiser -- go to muffler shop in front of toys'r'us,talk to gary hallmark -alingment guy,for long time.or gunderson at lynden swab store.Both could do the job in your neck of the woods. Rob

 

[lx450landcruiser]

are they familier with the castor stuff? i tryied calling northwest (northworst) 4x4 they acted liek they didnt even know what a castor was let alone be able to do it for me. this is one of the things that worries me most about the lift and i just hope who ever does it for me knows what there doing.

thanks for the tip though

mike

 

[John E Davies]

John - Where in Snohomish is this place? I did find out that NAPA has a press and could do it, but I'll probably contact Olympic.

Here you go:

http://www.olympic4x4.com/directions.htm

Be sure to walk around the scrap yard - there can be some amazing stuff back there. Mostly old rusty or rolled CJs, but there are some Cruisers and mini trucks as well. Wear old shoes

Go in the double doors in front and turn left to get to the shop desk.

John

 

[EDPA]

lx450landcruiser, come on down, maybe we can take our cruisers to Olympic and maybe get a quanity discount. Plus, I want them to do yours first to practice on before they do mine

 

[lx450landcruiser]

LOL hey maybe though? give them a call and ill check this place up here see whos cheaper.


thanks again guys
mike

 

[EDPA]

Olympic qouted me $300.00 to have caster correction bushings pressed in. Man that seems steep. It does include an alignment.