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.

 

Let the fun, begin! $623 shipped to the door...apparently, these should be swapped out every 130k miles minimum, according to Toyota techs...




I took advantage of the Fred Anderson Memorial Day Sale at 15% off, plus dealer discounts...saved like $470! Perhaps placebo on the savings, but I'm certain, these are right and will serve their purpose, correctly. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

 

Good luck with the Cam Bolts…. When I replaced my LCA’s I had to cut the original cam bolts off and replace them with factory new. I put so much anti-seize on them that it should not be an issue down the road.

 

Damn! Good to know! I'll pick some new bolts up in preparation!

** new bolts ordered - sheesh! Only another $190 in hardware

 

I would only consider OEM for LCAs, and with three 4th gens that's what I did and can absolutely confirm that by 130k best to just bite the bullet and replace them. But don't do what I did and toss the old ones! Their bushings and ball joints CAN be replaced, so hang on to them and rotate them back to your old set after you've R&R'ed the bushings and ball joints, assuming the arms aren't beaten. I'd def recommend replacing all the cams and mounting hardware each turnover, too. Even on my rust-free Los Angeles 4Runner, the tech had to cut one of the cam bolts off.

 

OEM. Just had mine replaced

 

Agreed..after seeing the quality between high end aftermarket and 'tegylar" aftermarket, OEM is on the higher end of "in the middle..." I'm glad I got all of the hardware and LCAs as OEM...

 

OEM replacement LCAs here at around 240k. I got lucky and the shop that installed them didn't have to cut out any of the cam bolts.

 

replaced with OEM at 80k miles not because they were bad but because the camber bolts were seized and I really needed an alignment