LCA options?

[Casezilla]

I have an '07 with 136k with torn lower control arm bushings. I'm currently still running the stock suspension, but am planning on moving to a ~2" lift set up soon.

Is the best option to just purchase new OEM LCAs? From what I gather, the OEM LCAs come with bushings and ball joints (which are probably close to needing replacement too) and there isn't much difference in price compared just replacing the bushings as there's no labor for getting the new bushings pressed in (and this makes the fix something I can do myself in one sitting, rather than having to pull the LCAs, take them to a shop to get new bushings put in, then re-install).

Sounds like the other options would be switching to poly bushings (e.g. whiteline) or switch to an aftermarket LCA. From what I gather, OEM LCAs are fine for many regular travel lifts (it's the UCAs that people somtimes change), so needing to move to an aftermarket part to handle the suspension upgrade doesn't seem likely. Any thoughts on moving to poly bushings? Getting over 100k on the OEM bushings (as opposed to the 50-60k I've seen on some other cars) has me leaning toward just going that route this time.

 

[AlldogsOffroad]

OEM appear to last a lot longer than the OE style arms you can buy from Moog, Mevotech, etc. Even with 2" of lift I think OEM would probably be your best bet. Poly will require more maintenance than the rubber bushings; they'll squeak and require periodic lubrication.

 

[bookworms]

I went with OEM for the concerns over longevity. The only other LCA's I'd consider are Total Chaos and they're over twice as much.

I'm actually installing mine tomorrow and also ordered the ball joint attachments (48625-60010 and 48626-60010) that connect the LCA to the knuckle. They aren't necessary but I'm lazy and didn't want to deal with unstucking the old ball joints. Hoping it'll make the install painless

 

[Jstawgn]

OEM would be best for standard duty.
Superpro sells offset LCA. At 2" you might be able to kill two birds with one stone with this UCA. A bit of increased caster would be really improve the straight line tracking of the vehicle.

It seems Superpro are a bit softer than Whiteline. I did not notice any increased NVH with mine. They also have grease serrations that really help keep the grease on the bushing. Bushing also comes with lifetime warranty.

 

[drowzyGX]

I just replaced mine with OEM. My bushings were shot. Ball joints seemed to be in surprisingly good shape for 110k miles. Truck feels incredible.

if your old LCAs are in good shape, then you can always press bushings into em and you’ve got a backup pair!

 

[Casezilla]

OEM would be best for standard duty.
Superpro sells offset LCA. At 2" you might be able to kill two birds with one stone with this UCA. A bit of increased caster would be really improve the straight line tracking of the vehicle.

What do you mean by the bolded portion? Do you mean the Superpro LCA alignment correction would negate the need to get aftermarket UCAs for lift alignment correction?

The SuperPros do seem intriguing as an option as the fully assembled LCAs are similar in price to going OEM. Also found out I have a friend that can help me press bushings, so just doing the bushings is a more viable option than I was originally thinking.

I'm actually installing mine tomorrow and also ordered the ball joint attachments (48625-60010 and 48626-60010) that connect the LCA to the knuckle. They aren't necessary but I'm lazy and didn't want to deal with unstucking the old ball joints. Hoping it'll make the install painless

That sounds like a good call. Let me know how it goes!

 

[psilocyBen]

Recently also noticed my LCA bushings were shot. Replaced them with OEM ones and the ride quality is night and day.

 

[Jfree97]

What's the average price of labor to replace LCA bushings at a shop?

 

[Jstawgn]

What do you mean by the bolded portion? Do you mean the Superpro LCA alignment correction would negate the need to get aftermarket UCAs for lift alignment correction?

Superpro offset add 0.6° of caster. If you are lifted less than 2.5" it might be enough caster to bring it back to acceptable level without aftermarket UCA. Dual offset bushing still need adjustable UCA to compensate for positive camber.

 

[bookworms]

That sounds like a good call. Let me know how it goes!

Unfortunately one of my cam bolts was seized in the LCA bushing, which is apparently somewhat common, so I had to cut one of the arms off with a small sawzaw. That led me to just ordering all new hardware from the local lexus dealer. Ending up taking an extra day because of that but only a couple hours of actual work once everything was sorted. The noticeably improved ride quality made it all worth it.

 

[drowzyGX]

What's the average price of labor to replace LCA bushings at a shop?

not cheap at all because it’s more labor than just replacing the LCA. shop has to remove both lowers, remove the old bushings, push in new ones, and then put the lowers back on. after all this, you’re still stuck with old ball joints.

the shop I’ve used for any work I don’t do myself wants $1200 to replace bushings.

You can get brand new lowers from the dealer for $700 (if you have kdss) or less if you don’t.

imo, paying a shop to replace new bushings isn’t worth it.

 

[Jfree97]

not cheap at all because it’s more labor than just replacing the LCA. shop has to remove both lowers, remove the old bushings, push in new ones, and then put the lowers back on. after all this, you’re still stuck with old ball joints.

the shop I’ve used for any work I don’t do myself wants $1200 to replace bushings.

You can get brand new lowers from the dealer for $700 (if you have kdss) or less if you don’t.

imo, paying a shop to replace new bushings isn’t worth it.

Really don't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks so much for this info.

 

[psilocyBen]

Really don't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks so much for this info.

My local shop who specializes in Toyota 4x4’s also recommended just replacing the entire LCA. I was a little skeptical at first because I couldn’t see how replacing the bushing would be more, but now I believe them and I’m happy I just replaced both arms. It honestly feels like I’m driving a completely new vehicle. Never realized how crucial good LCA bushings are.

 

[amongmany]

That’s nuts. I was just quoted $300 including parts to replace the LCA bushings.

 

[drowzyGX]

That’s nuts. I was just quoted $300 including parts to replace the LCA bushings.

are you sure that was for the front LCAs? The 4 bushings for the front are $280-$360 if you go OEM ($70-$90 per). Even snagging the cheapest bushings, moog for $25, you’re looking at $100 for parts. That leaves $200 for labor, which is not even 2 hours of labor at most shop rates.

 

[amongmany]

are you sure that was for the front LCAs? The 4 bushings for the front are $280-$360 if you go OEM ($70-$90 per). Even snagging the cheapest bushings, moog for $25, you’re looking at $100 for parts. That leaves $200 for labor, which is not even 2 hours of labor at most shop rates.

I'm sure. I got a follow-up this morning that increased the quote to $375-400, but that's still a far cry from the $1200 mentioned above

 

[drowzyGX]

I'm sure. I got a follow-up this morning that increased the quote to $375-400, but that's still a far cry from the $1200 mentioned above

Are you sure that isn’t per LCA? something is way off with that quote. unless their labor rates are well below $100/hour, they are losing money on that job.

call it $100 for 4 bottom of the barrel bushings. That leaves them with $300 for labor, call it $150 per LCA. At $100 per hour labor rate, which is already low, then that’s 1.5 hours per side, which seems low.

just know there’s no way you’re getting decent bushings pressed in at that price.

 

[Casezilla]

$1200 is kinda ridiculous just to replace control arm bushings. 2-3 hours should be enough for shops equipped for the job to pull it off, worst case 4 hours. When I got front LCA rear bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends replaced on a Subaru it was only 2 hours of labor (this included removing/reinstalling the LCAs from the car). Only 2 bushings total in that case, but doing 2 more bushings wouldn't have doubled the labor time given the other work that was involved.

Even in highish-COL CA areas it is possible to find small shops that do good work in the ~$100/hr labor range. My old shop in the Bay Area was $95/hr a few years ago. Doubt they're higher than ~$115 now given how their rates rose over the 10 years I was bringing my car there.

Still though, if that $300-400 price includes removing and reinstalling the LCAs (rather than just brinigng them your LCAs), I would be concerned about the quality of the bushings. If I were you, I'd BYOBushings and just pay for labor.

 

[amongmany]

Are you sure that isn’t per LCA? something is way off with that quote. unless their labor rates are well below $100/hour, they are losing money on that job.

call it $100 for 4 bottom of the barrel bushings. That leaves them with $300 for labor, call it $150 per LCA. At $100 per hour labor rate, which is already low, then that’s 1.5 hours per side, which seems low.

just know there’s no way you’re getting decent bushings pressed in at that price.

I got another quote from another shop at $440 to replace them entirely (including parts and labor). These are reputable SoCal shops that deal heavily in Toyotas. Not sure where the major disconnect is...

 

[psilocyBen]

I got another quote from another shop at $440 to replace them entirely (including parts and labor). These are reputable SoCal shops that deal heavily in Toyotas. Not sure where the major disconnect is...

The shop I go to was around the same price to replace but they said it could be more if they run into any complications. For slightly more though you could just get brand new OEM LCAs, so that’s the way I went.