Lower Control Arms -- Rebush or Replace?

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@BlackCat - feel like ordering me a pair of those discounted OEM lowers? :beer::beer::beer::beer:

Need to get this project soon myself (including CV's) so keep the updates coming guys. I'll need all the help I can get!
 
tlin said:
@BlackCat - feel like ordering me a pair of those discounted OEM lowers? :beer::beer::beer::beer:

Need to get this project soon myself (including CV's) so keep the updates coming guys. I'll need all the help I can get!
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Ya, I’m a Jag/Land Rover tech and there’s a Lexus store in our auto group, so I get employee pricing. Both lowers, and every nut/bolt/alignment tab, etc for $645. I have the money for TC lowers, I just couldn’t justify an additional $1000 just to match my uppers. Blaaah.
 
@BlackCat Since you are a tech, I assume that you have more access to mechanics and parts. I'm curious as to why you didn't just replace the bushings and ball joint on your existing OEM LCAs. You could have upgraded to polybusings too.

You went the same option as me in terms of getting new Toyota OEM LCAs, but I did this because I couldn't get a solid quote on replacing the bushings and I didn't know exactly which bushings/ball-joint to get. Two shops steered me to just getting the Toyota OEM LCAs.

Again, just curious on your decision. Maybe I just think things over way too much...
 
HomersCanyonero said:
@BlackCat Since you are a tech, I assume that you have more access to mechanics and parts. I'm curious as to why you didn't just replace the bushings and ball joint on your existing OEM LCAs. You could have upgraded to polybusings too.

You went the same option as me in terms of getting new Toyota OEM LCAs, but I did this because I couldn't get a solid quote on replacing the bushings and I didn't know exactly which bushings/ball-joint to get. Two shops steered me to just getting the Toyota OEM LCAs.

Again, just curious on your decision. Maybe I just think things over way too much...
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I did it because my truck is from Chicago and the caster and camber adjustments on the pass side are seized. Drivers side has some no-name aftermarket replacement that I can adjust, but I don’t like china crap. So I have two options; cut the arm out which will be quicker, or torch the arm until I can free the eccentrics. I’ve been putting off replacing them for almost 4 years, but my bushings are completely toast now, and it’s time.
 
Well, that makes a lot of sense to replace the entire LCA when the current ones have seized CAM bolts and/or you got crappy aftermarket LCAs.
 
I went to inspect my OEM CAM tabs and lo and behold...I got a couple that are on the move and got bushing rubber breaking off.

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I will work on that write up. Installing the upgraded CAM tabs is more time than it is difficult. I just like to swap them out anytime we pull a lower A arm off the front of our or a customers truck. The mounts are just staring at you, necked asking the be removed and replaced.
 
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I was getting antsy about installing the new OEM LCAs for an upcoming trip to Death Valley, so I went ahead and had a shop install them. Labor rate was good and got it done today. I kept the old and tired OEM CAM tabs.

I also did more research on the TC CAM tabs and there's a lot of soldering. There's 8 TC CAM tabs and 16 gussets? to solder to the tabs. Then you solder the TC CAM tabs onto the GX470. So, I just don't know if I can find a shop in LA to do this and then how much is the labor going to cost. It's really hard to walk into a regular mechanic and ask for these type of services. You need a shop that specializes in GX470s and offroading.

So, for now, I'm going to offroad with my stock CAM tabs and new OEM LCAs. If anyone know of a shop in the LA area that know how to do this, I can then think about doing it in the future. I was thinking maybe the best approach is to upgrade only the CAM tabs that are more susceptible to move and bend.

I'm attaching the instructions I found from TotalChaos on the TC CAM Tabs. I just happen to find them recently.
 

Attachments

My original LCAs are good enough to be refurbished with new polyurethane bushings and poly ball joints. If I can figure out how to order the poly bushings, press the old out, and press the new ones in, then I could have a refurbished set for sale! LOL...I just don't know if I can pull it off and it might be more expensive than a new MOOG replacement set.
 
That's a pretty keen eye! I didn't even know there was a right way to put back the shock bolts, but both are in the same way. If no danger in doing it this way, then it doesn't bother me.
 
I think i have a set of poly bushings on my shelf. I want to TC and was going to put them into my old arms, but the old bushings wouldn't come out. Still have some grease on them. Pretty sure they are the right ones if you are interested. I don't need them so pay for shipping and see if they work for you?
 
GXO said:
I think i have a set of poly bushings on my shelf. I want to TC and was going to put them into my old arms, but the old bushings wouldn't come out. Still have some grease on them. Pretty sure they are the right ones if you are interested. I don't need them so pay for shipping and see if they work for you?
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Yeah, that sounds good. I also wanted to buy your firestone airbags. I know you mention you had those too. I’ll PM you
 
Roughtrax.co.uk stock poly bushes and ball joints for stock control arms and drag links.
 
hey guys, anyone have a suggestion where to get oem lca's for $528/pair???

HomersCanyonero said:
I went on the FJ Cruiser and T4R forums and they use the same lower control arms in the front as the GX470.

Regardless if you are re-building or replacing, there's a potential that the bolts/hardware is seized/rusted. I'm hoping that a So Cal rig doesn't have this problem at all, but we'll see. The hardware should be Toyota OEM.

If you rebuild, the Toyota OEM bushings are expensive. Just the 4 bushings for the LCAs are like $160 or something like that on ebay. This doesn't include the ball joints which should be replaced as well. There's other options for cheaper bushings and ball joints, but OEM is spendy.

If you replace, there are various degrees of prices on the new LCAs. It's just the quality is unknown on some of the lowered priced units. People on the aforementioned boards claim the really inexpensive ones from 1AAuto are okay and one guy has had them for 15k miles.

Quick summary on prices (not extensive research -- updated prices on 3/12/2018 from what others have commented):
1. $140/pair, TRQ LCAs, from 1A-Auto at Amazon (no tax, free shipping with prime)
2. $200/pair, MAC Auto
3. $270/pair, Mevotech
4. $330/pair, Moog
6. $528/pair, Toyota OEM, online stores
7. $1800/pair, Total Chaos

I'm still not sure which path to take, but I'm getting a better idea on what needs to be done on each path.
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I ended up picking up a pair of LCA with all the Moog bushings brand new in boxes from a 4Runner guy on CL for $100.
So my plan is to remove the old bushings re-paint the used LCA’s or even powder coat them since I get good pricing if I am in no rush. Then get all the new Moog bushings presses in and it will be a straight swap when I take out my old ones. Oh plus repair all of my bent tabs! :doh:
 
Wait for eBay to have their 10-20% sales and get it from there. Just got my set the other day for $527 shipped after a 15% coupon.

Tak555 said:
hey guys, anyone have a suggestion where to get oem lca's for $528/pair???
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One downside is at least for me they shipped without boxes! They just cover the LBJ and slap a tag on the LCA. It came with minor scratches. I complained to the seller and they said the Toyota parts ship them like that for LCA. I did get an additional discount from the seller because of it.

Tak555 said:
yah, i'll keep an eye out... it seems like the ebay codes pop up every month or so. thanks!
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