Lower Control Arm Options

I've been chasing down clunks, vibrations, etc and have swapped UCA bushings (SPC) with success, New UBJs (SPC updated design) with success and Front Sway Bar end links...also, with success. I thought I completed the efforts and eliminated the "something not right" clunks and whatnot and do notice my LBJ needs to be refilled from time to time...they are the only parts on the front-end I haven't replaced and I'm wondering what folks use when they need LCAs...RockAuto have several aftermarket options, from Moog, ACDelco, MevoTech, & Delphi. I'v ehad success with Moog on other applications, but I'm wondering what you might suggest in your experience. I am lifted since 2013, have 107k miles on OEM LCAs and it's used as a capable pavement princess...I understand and agree that OEM is best in especially this use-case, but I'm not rich...

 

I ran moog LCAs on my tacoma and the ball joints didnt last 30k miles. From now on for me, it will be oem or an upgrade to something else with a uniball. The LCA is a major load bearing component so you definitely want to get something quality imo

 

Great to know and thank you for suggestion! It is a major load-bearing piece...I will not use Moog, than! BANZAI!!!

 

I bought mine from 1A Auto. Very inexpensive but I kept my OEMs and will just rebuild them if the new ones give me trouble. I’ve had them for a couple of years and have done trails and rock gardens. So far, so good.

 

Awesome...aftermarket seems more of a "maybe" on QC efforts...I'll do some checking but online OEM Toyota stuff is about $280 each sans LBJ...ha! I'll likely do aftermarket but we'll see.

 

I've been looking at some suspension pieces for a different vehicle (not my 4runner) and in my research, people are saying MOOG isn't what it used to be and is made in China now? Can verify or confirm if thats true, but just be aware. I've stayed away from MOOG on my other project just out of an abundance of caution.

 

The 5th gen OE LCAs are only available with the ball joints installed. I’m surprised the 4th gens are any different. Are you sure what you’re looking at is actually OE?

 

Hmmm, I'll look again but it was from Fred Anderson Toyota Parts which only deals with OEM stuff, as far as I know...looking at the provided images showed the arms without the LBJs...

 

I suppose if the ball joints are available as a seperate part number you would know for sure. From what I recall Toyota doesn’t even sell lower ball joints for the 5th gen,

 

That's what I originally thought too...than I looked at the image as that's all I have, without calling and confirming with Fred Anderson, and there was no LBJ...I'll check 5th gen stuff and see if it's "like" what I'm seeing available for 4th gens or if I am indeed incorrect, which I hope I am.