Lower control arm replacement of choice?

What is the preferred aftermarket lca to use?

I checked my alignment cams and of course the front ones are seized. They will need to be cut out. To reduce down time and simplify the job, I will just be replacing the lca’s in whole. Oem s seem to be about $300 a piece. Cheapest aftermarket is $40. Is there something in between? Like a high quality aftermarket lca? I know moogs are popular but have mixed reviews. Let me know your thoughts.

Also do I just throw out the old arms? I was thinking of rebuilding them for future use.

 

I went with moogs. Figured I can replace the ball joint if it fails easy enough. Also get a set of Diablo Demon sawzall blades. Cuts through the bolts quick. Crazy quick.

 

We think alike because I just ordered those diablo saw blades from Amazon!

 

Your old arms have resale value. Someone will buy them because they are rebuildable.

For the alignment cams, I suggest buying the genuine Toyota parts for that and using antiseize when reinstalling them.

I didn't think highly of the SPC alignment cams when compared to the factory ones.

 

I just did a set of Moogs on mine. Definitely use OEM alignment cams.

 

Just a thought...I do realize the original question asked about aftermarket. I did read about issues with the aftermarket units including Moog that came up negatively. I have no first hand knowledge on that. But, I called a Toyota salvage yard out in California to see about OEM units. They sent me factory original pieces from a relatively recent truck after a conversation about the rust issue I had.

What came in were extremely clean pieces with ball joints and the OEM alignment bolts although I had already bought those new. I just looked, it was ranchotoyotatruckparts.com

Now I'm getting a new frame so all that stuff will be replaced by the dealer.

 

After reading all the different nightmares and bad reviews I went with OEM.

My old OEM LCA's are available if anyone wants to buy em. Haha

 

I know someone selling some OEM toyota LCAs in great condition. Took them off because he went long travel. Not sure what he want for them but it'll be cheaper than what toyota wants

edit: just texted him and he wants $250 for the pair. Came off a 3rd gen but should fit a 2nd gen

 

250 for both? That's excellent.

 

Yeah I thought so too. Though I just learned that 3rd gen lcas won’t fit a second gen apparently, so that’s a bummer

 

That’s an interesting perspective. It’s all about quality. I am sure the sheet metal is the same so it comes down to bushings and ball joints. Aftermarket vs used oem? I guess it depends on where you get them from and how much?

 

Just to spice things up it turns out only one cam is seized. So I only really need to replace one control arm. My thoughts are if I go aftermarket, I should really do both, right? Left and right.

 

I'm not sure if the sheet metal or the formed metal is the same. I've heard or actually read on this site that the aftermarket pieces were inferior. Do a search on this site to get a best view of what's going on. This is why I went with the factory pieces even though they were used. At least California used.

 

Well the more I think about it... The left arm is good, no issues. The right has the frozen cam. If I pickup a used OEM right arm with same or less miles, quality and condition should be similar on both sides. Plus I will save money and it will be easier!

Good idea

 

I paid $200 for stock UCAs from a California member. I bought new hardware and have it all anti seized every couple years.

 

If alignment is good, why rush to replace the cam bolt? You can shoot penetrating oil, and/or some heat, every weekend or so to see if it'll give. The frozen cam does not affect the suspension geometry while in motion.

 

Because it’s going to get lifted and the alignment will become an issue.

 

It sure will; that wasn't clear at first. You can still try those little tricks to see if it breaks free. The middle bolt should come out; if it does, and you have a long smaller diameter bolt, you can use some sockets to try and 'reverse-press' the cam out. None of this worked for me but it was worth a shot. In the end I had no choice but to cut it out with the aforementioned Diablo blades. You only need one and it will remain sharp for other uses; I was impressed how easy it cut through.

 

I just spotted these in the for sale threads $150
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bamf-lca-skids-bamf-rear-shock-relocate-kit-cv-axle-lcas.590705/

 

Ha, I saw those too. Look perfect for my needs but I don’t think the seller wants to ship.