GX470 Lower Control arm does not drop further down (1 Viewer)

[dirttrak]

Hi guys,

I'm an old timer here at Ih8mud to the beginning of this forum in the name of mustardfj40 but I can't no longer login with this name.

Anyway, we're dong an OME lift on a GX470 the issue we have is to remove the strut/shock and the lower control arm does not drop far enough down, so the whole original strut/shock go stuck in place and I could see that would be impossible to get the longer OME strut/shock in.
We already remove almost everything that connect to the lower control arm, the only thing left connect to the lower control arm is the lower shock.

Please help. Thanks so much

 

[dirttrak]

OK, I got the darn shock out, I lubed the alignment cam bolts and used a 4ft long pry bar.

I thought when everything is disconnected from lower control arm, it would drop down without being pried on. So the question is: When you torque the alignment bolts, the lower control arm has only limited up and down movements?

Thanks

 

[dirttrak]

My other cruiser

 

[Rednexus]

My recommendation:

1. Disconnect the LCA from the steering knuckle at the ball joint (2 19-mm bolts).
2. Insert the coilover
3. Hand-tighten the 3 nuts for the top strut mount
4. Support the LCA with a floor jack
5. Line up the lower shock mount on the LCA and insert the bolt (hand-tighten the nut)
6. Compress shock via the floor jack under the LCA and re-attach the ball joint to the LCA
7. Once the GX is sitting on level ground under suspension load, torque all bolts to spec.

If you've already disconnected the LCA from the ball joint/steering knuckle and have this problem, your LCA alignment cams may be seized into the LCA bushings and limiting LCA movement. In that case you'll need to replace the LCA and some of the alignment cams, this requires cutting out the alignment cams with a sawzall (not as bad as it sounds). It's a very common problem on IFS Toyotas.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

My recommendation:

1. Disconnect the LCA from the steering knuckle at the ball joint (2 19-mm bolts).
2. Insert the coilover
3. Hand-tighten the 3 nuts for the top strut mount
4. Support the LCA with a floor jack
5. Line up the lower shock mount on the LCA and insert the bolt (hand-tighten the nut)
6. Compress shock via the floor jack under the LCA and re-attach the ball joint to the LCA
7. Once the GX is sitting on level ground under suspension load, torque all bolts to spec.

If you've already disconnected the LCA from the ball joint/steering knuckle and have this problem, your LCA alignment cams may be seized into the LCA bushings and limiting LCA movement. In that case you'll need to replace the LCA and some of the alignment cams, this requires cutting out the alignment cams with a sawzall (not as bad as it sounds). It's a very common problem on IFS Toyotas.

That’s like talking to a master mechanic…good advice!

 

[Rednexus]

That’s like talking to a master mechanic…good advice!

Thank you! Just did the procedure 2X last month on a Tundra so it's fresh in my mind

 

[dirttrak]

Thanks very much guys!!! Finished the OME 2" lift. I thought it would take half a day ended up taking us 2 days. We're happy with lift

But now we got the "VSC TRAC", "VSC OFF" lights, how you guys address this?

Thanks again

 

[Jstawgn]

But now we got the "VSC TRAC", "VSC OFF" lights, how you guys address this?

Very common opps. You most likely stretched the wheel speed sensor wire. It's is very important to disconnect this wire when doing suspension work. Some people successful splice it back but most replace the harness.

FYI the lower control arm should be loosened to rotate it down. Otherwise the rubber might get damaged when rotated past it's flexible point. It also should be torqued down at ride height.

 

[Tinggi]

I am in the process of replacing a leaking front strut so this information from RednExus and the rest is excellent.

Question: When I drop the LCA to get the strut in as described by Rednexus is an alignment required?

Thanks

 

[Rednexus]

Any time you replace front suspension components like shocks/struts (or UCAs, LCAs, tie rod ends, etc) you should probably get an alignment. If it affects the ride height (which a new strut probably will), it will affect the alignment.

 

[Tinggi]

Any time you replace front suspension components like shocks/struts (or UCAs, LCAs, tie rod ends, etc) you should probably get an alignment. If it affects the ride height (which a new strut probably will), it will affect the alignment.

Thanks,