Loaded question and YMMV, I just posted a comment on the recent "no budget build" about the "Tundra IFS swap", check that one out and let me know if you have other specific questions. I'm sure there are other pros/cons that have been previously posted. All of the legwork was done by others, @bjowett, @TexAZ to name a few. Check their threads for the specifics.
lower control arm options (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Brett19648
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Figured I'd jump in here rather than starting a new thread. I think it's LCA replacement time for my 2009 LC. I'm nowhere near as handy as most of the folks here but I have a couple of good independent shops nearby that I'll lean on for this. I do have a couple questions though that I want to see if I can get answered before I head into the shop.
I'm at 135,000 miles on a 2009 with the original OEM LCAs, however I have an aftermarket OME suspension with SPC Upper Control Arms installed (approx. 3 years ago). Questions...
1. I'm starting to get that creaking/crunching sound when going over bumps, etc. I think this is indicative of the bushings more than the LCA's themselves (although both could be a problem). Is there a chance that I may only need to replace the bushings or at 10 years old and 135K miles should I just do the whole thing (LCA, bushings, etc.) regardless?
2. Since I'll be paying for labor anyway should I take this opportunity to upgrade the LCA's to something better than OEM? Would there be a benefit to looking at options from SPC, Total Chaos, etc. rather than OEM or do the LCAs not really matter as much?
3. I recall that when I had the suspension upgraded a few years ago it required opening (depressurizing?) the KDSS system. Fortunately, that nut that needs to be opened hadn't rusted over like many people here have experienced (probably a benefit of living in Arizona), but is that opening of the KDSS required again as part of a LCA replacement?
Thanks!
I'm at 135,000 miles on a 2009 with the original OEM LCAs, however I have an aftermarket OME suspension with SPC Upper Control Arms installed (approx. 3 years ago). Questions...
1. I'm starting to get that creaking/crunching sound when going over bumps, etc. I think this is indicative of the bushings more than the LCA's themselves (although both could be a problem). Is there a chance that I may only need to replace the bushings or at 10 years old and 135K miles should I just do the whole thing (LCA, bushings, etc.) regardless?
2. Since I'll be paying for labor anyway should I take this opportunity to upgrade the LCA's to something better than OEM? Would there be a benefit to looking at options from SPC, Total Chaos, etc. rather than OEM or do the LCAs not really matter as much?
3. I recall that when I had the suspension upgraded a few years ago it required opening (depressurizing?) the KDSS system. Fortunately, that nut that needs to be opened hadn't rusted over like many people here have experienced (probably a benefit of living in Arizona), but is that opening of the KDSS required again as part of a LCA replacement?
Thanks!
I upgrade you should make at the same time is to replace the bolt with this SPC kit. It comes with a sleeve so it can'y seize.
Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders
Specialty Products is the pioneer in the automotive alignment parts business and is the preferred brand by professional installers. Proven Quality, Performance Parts, Technical Training and Support.
I'm at 125k, no squeaking, but completely seized. After my lift they couldn't adjust the lowers, so my alignment is just outta spec. So different situation, but same result, I'm replacing my LCA's. I also know when my bushings do go bad, I'd have no way to replace with the seized bolt. I'm going with a less mileage used set I'm buying off another mud member. I haven't heard anything favorable about any of the aftermarket LCA's like Icon or others. people in general have been happy with stock LCA's, or some have done the full Tundra replacement which has some pro's to it too, but involves more than replacing just LCA's.
I'm in Phoenix too, pretty big number of built 200's here. Curious if you are in Copper State Cruisers? We're having a club meeting in Tempe this Friday night. Myself, and at least 3 other 200's will be there that i know of. 1 guy has the Tundra swap so you could chat about options with the group. I've gotten a ton of knowledge and help with my truck from this group. Here is the info:
Events/Trails - ►► CSC January 17 2020◄◄ NOT TO BE MISSED
CSC is excited for 2020 with some really cool additions. We will be starting off the new meeting year with a pizza party. Post up if you plan to attend so we can provide enough food and drink for all. CSC January Meeting 1•17•2020 Sonic
forum.ih8mud.com
I upgrade you should make at the same time is to replace the bolt with this SPC kit. It comes with a sleeve so it can'y seize.
Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders
Specialty Products is the pioneer in the automotive alignment parts business and is the preferred brand by professional installers. Proven Quality, Performance Parts, Technical Training and Support.www.spcalignment.com
Surprised I havent heard what I am about to say more on this forum, but on the Tacoma, FJ, ect forums these greaseable cam bolts are thought to be junk. All that holds your alignment is the flat of that bolt to the 'D' shape of that washer. Unlike the OEM ones that the washer part is one piece with the sleeve/nut. A few many cases of that bolt easily rounding out the 'D' shape on that washer and thus losing good holding power and the alignment.
IMO there is no good replacement for OEM and a bunch of anti-seize. Just because the stock ones always seize up doesn't mean they are bad....Toyota just should have put something on them.
I upgrade you should make at the same time is to replace the bolt with this SPC kit. It comes with a sleeve so it can'y seize.
Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders
Specialty Products is the pioneer in the automotive alignment parts business and is the preferred brand by professional installers. Proven Quality, Performance Parts, Technical Training and Support.
I'm at 125k, no squeaking, but completely seized. After my lift they couldn't adjust the lowers, so my alignment is just outta spec. So different situation, but same result, I'm replacing my LCA's. I also know when my bushings do go bad, I'd have no way to replace with the seized bolt. I'm going with a less mileage used set I'm buying off another mud member. I haven't heard anything favorable about any of the aftermarket LCA's like Icon or others. people in general have been happy with stock LCA's, or some have done the full Tundra replacement which has some pro's to it too, but involves more than replacing just LCA's.
I'm in Phoenix too, pretty big number of built 200's here. Curious if you are in Copper State Cruisers? We're having a club meeting in Tempe this Friday night. Myself, and at least 3 other 200's will be there that i know of. 1 guy has the Tundra swap so you could chat about options with the group. I've gotten a ton of knowledge and help with my truck from this group. Here is the info:
Events/Trails - ►► CSC January 17 2020◄◄ NOT TO BE MISSED
CSC is excited for 2020 with some really cool additions. We will be starting off the new meeting year with a pizza party. Post up if you plan to attend so we can provide enough food and drink for all. CSC January Meeting 1•17•2020 Sonic
Thanks man! Yes, I'm aware of CSC and have been trying for a while to make it to a meeting. Just popped into that thread about the meeting at Sonic on 1/17, to call myself out so that I'll be held accountable to finally get to a meeting this year! Unfortunately, I will be out of town this Friday.
Good advice on the bolt! Makes sense to do that at the same time.
Also if you hadn't already heard @murf is a local resource for anything Toyota. I've had a lot of great service from him and there are club discounts available too
Murf is now at Right Toyota - OEM parts and service for CSC
Dropped off the wife’s car and couldn’t be happier with the service. Really glad that Murf is at a toyota dealership. Thank you @murf for your continued support of our community.
forum.ih8mud.com
meetings are 3rd Friday of each month, catch the next one. Otherwise, I'll message you when i do finally get my new LCA's your welcome to come watch/help with the install.
TexAZ
NEW???? It's BETTER than new!!!
If you are hearing squeaks, it's more than likely the upper control arms. The old style SPCs didnt have a fitting to grease the ball joint. And at 3 yrs, the bushings on the uppers are probably ready to be replaced. SPC offers both parts relatively inexpensive compared to new lowers
Also if you hadn't already heard @murf is a local resource for anything Toyota. I've had a lot of great service from him and there are club discounts available too
Murf is now at Right Toyota - OEM parts and service for CSC
Dropped off the wife’s car and couldn’t be happier with the service. Really glad that Murf is at a toyota dealership. Thank you @murf for your continued support of our community.
meetings are 3rd Friday of each month, catch the next one. Otherwise, I'll message you when i do finally get my new LCA's your welcome to come watch/help with the install.
Absolutely, will plan for the next meeting. And yes, Murf did my OME and UCA upgrade a few years ago that I mentioned. It was when he was at Camelback. He'll certainly be one of the guys I reach out to for this now that he has relocated closer to me.
I found these specs from a tundra forum, no reason to think they would vary significantly. Just ordered 3/1 lift. Torque specs and breathers question - https://www.tundras.com/threads/just-ordered-3-1-lift-torque-specs-and-breathers-question.8108/
I'd generally agree Tundra specs could be a good reference. There's some differences however with KDSS being a beefier system with larger components. Also interesting as we learn more, often times the LC equivalent uses larger hardware.
Another revive. '14 LX570. Replacing LCAs. Bolts are seized. Broke a 3/4 inch breaker bar standing on it trying to get them loose. Going to cut with Sawzall like suggested. However, my question is, after all this time, what's the consensus on the SPC kit? It seems so basic. Is it actually good? Can you get the same alignment results as OEM CAMs? I can't find them in stock anywhere near me. All dealers have to order online. When checking online, all the parts places say the same thing, 7 to 10 business days. I can get the SPC kit a lot quicker but I want to know that they aren't "junk" basically.
I’d just order OEM and put some anti-seize on the bolt. But the SPC kit can help the bolt itself from seizing up but the bushing may still seize and not be adjustable.
The real problem as I understand it is that there are two pieces of metal inside the bushing so while you can keep the bolt and the “inner” bushing sleeve from seizing the inner/outer sleeve can still seize and prevent you from doing an alignment.
Yeah that WAS the plan for the OEM bolts but I can't get them anywhere local (Houston and surrounding areas). Everyone says they have to order them, and it's 7 to 10 days IF they can get them. I suspect a national backorder because no one has told me definitively that they can guarantee I'll get them. Same goes for the online parts stores (toyotapartsdeal, lexuspartanow, etc etc), you can order them but if you start a convo with a sales person they tell you the same thing the dealers told me. Don't want to place an order for something that might never arrive.
YotaShop has a kit they sell based on OEM parts that has everything you need for one side but they only have 1 kit available. I don't feel like sourcing each individual part piecemeal on eBay. I can get the SPC kit by Friday so I think I'm going to go that route, at least temporarily and swap them out early next year for OEM parts. My main concern was getting feedback from those that have used the spc kit after long term use. Some reports I read on the forums said they failed (plastic bushing giving out and allowing the bolt to move around those losing the locked in alignment). Need the LX to be back up and on the road by next week.
