Lower Control Arms

Just had the 4Runner aligned. The Tech (owner) of the shop said he was able to get a good alignment, but 3 of the 4 cam bolts are seized. He said it would cost more to cut out/replace than installing new OEM LCAs. He also said that none of the aftermarket LCAs he has ever used were worth installing because of fitment/alignment issues. That being said, has anyone replaced their LCAs with aftermarket & been happy? If so what brand? Thanks

 

Well, lets see here.

Mechanic say cutting out the cam bolts will cost more than just installing new LCAs. Which makes no sense to me since he would have to cut out the cam bolts to replace the LCAs either way.

I am running SuperPro LCAs and have had zero issues with them. Been on for a couple years now too. As long as anti-seize is used generously on the cam bolts when they are installed, which is also specified by SuperPro in their instructions, that should reduce the chances of seized cam bolts in the future.

 

The statement from the tech is not accurate in my opinion. Sounds as if the shop did not want to correct your issues.

 

Kinda had the same thought. You ever cut those out? Hard to do? Just a Sawzall & good blades, right?

 

Any reason you want to go aftermarket? Just curious. Lifted? Etc?

I went with OEM replacements not that long ago but mine is also a family hauler/highway princess so wasn’t in need of anything extravagant.

 

Cost mainly. Almost $900 for LCAs seems pretty steep.

 

I have a southern Arizona truck, so no, I didn't need to cut mine out fortunately. But yes, sawzall and good blades should do it. I would order new bushings as well, since those can get messed up cutting the bolts. Still cheaper than replacing the whole LCA.

 

I did this job on my severely rusted WI 4th gen. I used 1AAuto replacements and OEM cams and hardware. It was a nasty job, but not hard. I used a sawzall to cut the old bolts. LCAs were fine for the remaining years and 30000 miles I put on them.

https://www.1aauto.com/toyota-lexus...ShyIvmXfBIdL0wdsoOd2HbKDAnbX7zrhoC5C8QAvD_BwE

 

+1 for 1AAuto. Installed their LCAs in January 2023 and have ~30K miles on them including some rough trails and bump/scrape/bang rock crawling at Windrock Park, no issues. With that said, time will tell as far as long-term reliability.

 

DirtKing LCAs chiming in. Love em and no issues so far

 

Thanks guys. I will save all the info for when I have to do this. Since the alignment is good, I will kick this down the road for awhile.

 

Carbide sawzall blades, OEM cam bolts and hardware and these:

https://whitelineperformance.com/products/w53312-bushing-kit