Front Passenger LCA replaced, but cam tab gussets sheered and broken during alignment

I bought my "new" to me 22 4runner TRD ORP on 8/31/24. It was sent for an alignment prior to buying to clear up steering vibrations as it had just rolled in the lot a couple days prior. Vibrations were mainly eliminated with this, but there was still a slight pull to the right w/ stiff steering and a quiet squeak coming from the front passenger side every now and then. They told me to call them if it gets worse. Drove it to work for 3 days (20mile round trip) and the creaking/squeaking and vibrations and poor control in steering intensified. I took it back to the dealership who determined it was the front passenger LCA. They replaced it and aligned it. (Took 2 weeks, but they paid). When I picked it up, the tech said he noticed a slight creak on the front driver's side too, but that wasn't approved by the GM to look into. I noticed the creak too at lower speeds over uneven roads, bridges, etc. or pulling up onto our uneven carport, but the vibrations were cleared up completely and steering was more controlled, but still real stiff/tight from what I know it should be. I drove it for 3 more days to work and steering became more uncontrolled, & creaking just got worse on the driver's side. (I can bounce on it and duplicate the sound...it does it on the slightest bump, turn, etc.) and some creaking back on the front passenger side again! I took it to a different repair shop this morning, they put in on the lift and immediately had me look at the cam tab plates. The dealership sheered one tab & broke the other tab on the new LCA they installed. And the tab adjusters look upside down. I'm a nurse by day, so by NO means do I know much about suspension, but nowhere online shows those plates facing that way, and I can see where they used to be facing up in the past. Took pics and went back to dealership right then. The service manager went in circles talking alignment specs with the type of "lift" I have they did the most they could, and said that how the cam bolts tighten in are tight enough that the gussets weren't that necessary with the type of "lift" I have cause they weren't moving anywhere, but they could fix them "if we wanted them too". From my "google" knowledge, the OEM cam tab plates are crap anyways, but still a very necessary working piece to keep that alignment in check. I've drove plenty of truly lifted 6"+ trucks that have drove and rode 100% better than this little leveled out 4runner. I told the dealership I wanted the tabs fixed, the alignment done right, and the creaking completely pinpointed/repaired. They said they can't get to it for a couple days, but it's safe to drive and I can bring back for them to dive into more. I already have an appt tomorrow w/ a reliable guy that does suspension lifts and repairs. At this point, I feel the dealership has created more problems than fixed them and will only create more. I'd be better off letting the reliable guy look at it, maybe put on better re-enforced gussets altogether, look over the complete front end suspension for worn/loose parts, and do an alignment properly. Can anyone confirm I am not crazy? Advice on creaking and alignment work?

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Sounds like you have a handle on it, I personally have never seen these tabs broken like yours. The creaking noise your speaking of may be when the shop discovered broken tabs, tightened the crap out of the LCA to compensate for broken tabs, causing the bushings in the LCA to squeak and creak. Either way, it was not the appropriate fix. I'm thinking you have the dealership on their toes maybe, but I would take it to the guy at the independent shop with tons of knowledge. Good luck.

 

jesus chrisr did they fuck that all up! First of all a 2022 4rnr should never need control arms replaced right now. My 2011 forerunner went almost 160,000 miles before I replaced the lower control arms.

yes, the adjustment lobes are way out of whack and upside down. I can’t believe a dealership had the nerve to damage your vehicle, Do a misalignment, sheer off your tabs (which are needed for proper alignment), Lie to you that the lower control arm was bad and then give it back to you like it’s OK. I would drive that thing through the front showroom windows and tell them you want a new 4runner.

I have a 2” lift in front and my alignment and lobes dont look like that. I’d find a new dealership hope it wasn’t Toyota.

 

Y’all, It has been two days, and no word. Called and they were “gone to lunch.” Went there after work. Service manager said he still didn’t have a loaner and couldn’t get to the “squeaking” I wanted them to check out for awhile. What a joke! I went off about the screwed up alignment and cam bolt dials/adjusters being turned wrong, tabs broken, etc. he STILL argued how the tabs aren’t necessary when driving down the road, mainly for an alignment, and you can put that dial on upside down when you bolt it in. I told him, “bullshit, regardless on being backwards and who’s right me or you, you’re trying to get out of fixing this and doing it right. And you said yourself tabs are necessary for an alignment! Do you think I’ll never need an alignment again?” He just stared at me! Idk shit about most of this stuff, but I know when I’m being screwed over. I told him to go fuck himself, got with the sales manager, and I’m gonna trade it in at the price I bought it for and get in something better!

 

oh wow, that guy is full if shit. You should take the guy from the alignment shop that discovered all the damage over to the dealership with you. I’d like to see if if he tries to feed that guy some bullshit lines. So sorry you’re going through this.

 

Exactly! I hate to say it’s cause I’m a female, but… I just want to thank you and others for the honest advice and info!