Lower A arm bushing failure

About a month ago I noticed that if I applied the brakes firmly going anything over 25 that my pickup would pull to the left. Always to that side.

I first suspected that my passenger side caliper was frozen or in some other way inoperable. After checking both driver and passenger sides I found them to be in perfect working order.

Next I tried to switch out my passenger brake hose to make sure that it hadn't collapsed internally. After doing so I still get a pull to the left upon firm application of the brakes.

When it happens, it feels more like it's trying to nosedive on just the driver's side steer tire first before the sway bar pulls the other side down too. My next conclusion would be that my LCA bushings are going out on the driver's side. I've noticed that the front bushing on the driver side LCA creakes like a SOB when entering or exiting the vehicle. It also does it when I go over speed bumps slowly.

The only noises are softer creaks, clunks and thuds coming from the general area. They are only noticeable when turning from a downward grade onto a street. Such as coming out of a gas station or parking lot onto a road.

Until recently I attributed the noises as coming from my steering rack. It's got a leak inside and I need to replace it but that's for another post

I got done changing my oil today and decided to clean up my skid plates. The previous owner must not have removed them every time to change the oil but the filter for the 5vz will make a mess every time. There was quite a bit of sludge gunked up on them.

I started wondering if anyone else has had their LCA bushings go bad because of, maybe, a similar problem. My taco is 16 years old but new to me and I sure love her. I get that things need to be replaced and I'm more than happy to wrench up some TLC if that'll keep her running to the moon and back.

Mostly just want to hear other people's thoughts about my conclusion of oil contamination of the driver's side LCA bushings.

 

You can inspect the lower control arm bushings if you crawl under there. If they are cracked or torn it's gonna cause some slop. Edit: Also I don't think oil from the filter could reach the LCA bushings.

 

If they have never been replaced it is probably time. I replaced mine last year due to a clunk I couldn't track down. When I got the drivers LCA out the rear bushing literally fell out. Fixed my clunk as well. The rubber will dry rot over time. You can park the truck and turn the wheel back and forth to look for slack in them. They are FUN to replace.... I put in energy suspension poly bushings this go round.

 

Sounds like you may need this video. Be sure to read the video description for more info and helpful tips.https://youtu.be/kmaZNBp1gZM

 

Thanks for the video. I'm in the process of building a backup set to swap out.

 

Ya I've watched it through once. I will be again and referencing it a few times I'm sure lol. Great instructional vids!!!