JBurt

After searching and not finding what I was looking for here's the question.

I got the energy suspension 8.3115 poly lower control arm bushings. It's for a tacoma but I found several people that said it worked well on their 4runners. The problem is that the inner diameter of the bushing is way bigger than the outer diameter of the cam sleeve.

half melted stock bushing on the left for comparison:



If I install it this way I don't see how the cam is going to adjust the lca for an alignment. Anyone with this bushing that can chime in?

While we're at it whats wrong with my passenger side LCA bushings (still on vehicle currently)?

Front:


Rear:

habanero

Bumpity....and plan for a new cv boot someday.

Are you sure they sent you the right number?

Do you think there's something wrong with the right side? I'm no expert or even sorta good at this, I got under the truck, made sure I couldn't be accidentally squashed and had my son steer while I watched the arm move around more than it should and in more directions too.

hatda02

Sorry, I don't have that kit - when I rebuilt mine I went stock for the lower.

I would give them a call on Monday if you did not have a chance yet - not where you bought, but probably ES. I used an ES kit in my 87 P/U a couple years ago there was no play in them like you have pictured. They were tight not only against the LCA, but also internally against the cam sleeve. Now I know you are doing your 4R and I'm talking P/U, but from currently owning a 994R and an 01 Taco there's not much different in the front suspension and then comparing the LCA to my old 87 it was just about the same as well. The UCA was different because of torsion bars and no coilover, but the LCA was the same basic setup.

With that said, I could not see how you would ever get that properly aligned let alone massive banging and movement with that much play in the LCA.

As you know from my other thread that you commented in I've recently done mine so I'm interested how this turns out. Update when you find out.

Also, nothing sticks out to me as a problem with your stock photos. What are you seeing?

JBurt

Thanks guys. The numbers on the package and the installation diagram (which is not much help) all match the application for the tacoma. I definitely plan on calling ES tomorrow.

As for the passenger side it looked like there was way too much space between the LCA and the mounting bracket. I think on the other side it was filled with rubber and on this side it's not, but probably two different brands of bushings I guess. I've already got the steering rack disconnected so I guess I'll just see if I can move the LCA with a prybar. That side doesn't make any noise and the rubber that I can see looks good so I guess if there's no movement I'll just not fix what isn't broken.

I'll definitely post up what I find out.

I also posted this over on toyota-4runners.org here

someone found a kit that looks like it would fit much better but hasn't said where it comes from. I'm ready to throw in the towel and order some oem's. I just want my rig back. A week on jack stands it too long.

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

is there a specific reason why you went with PU bushings for the LCAs?

i would rather go with OEMs than with PU because the OEMs, being rubber would absorb the shocks better than PU bushings which transmit 100% of the shock to the frame and then to the body. also, there's a tendency for the PU bushings to be squeaky unless it is graphite-impregnated. the OEMs last very long as well. there have been only a very few posts regarding replacing of the LCA/UCA bushings.

niall

not quite 100%, but the point is a valid one.

Poly bushings are great for helping to squeeze a little bit more performance out of your suspension. on a 4runner, or most trucks for that matter, there is so much other "slight slop" in the system, that they'll never offer the performance gains.

they do also squeek quite a bit unless you constantly lube them with the correct lubricant, and you can feel the road a little bit more.

nightstalker

If I'm not mistaken, you reuse the metal sleeve with the poly bushings, however, those poly bushings look way to large, If I remember correctly, its States on the web sites information that you must re use metal sleeves, I almost bought these for my pickup, but ended up goin oem.

JBurt

So after a while the guy at ES emailed me back and told me that there was no way that what was in there was a factory bushing so it wasn't going to work. His recommendation was to find a stock bushing or to go to one of their retailers and order a complete bushing by size. Not a bad option but my local dealership had them in stock so I went and picked up some oem bushings.

Moral of the story is that if you want the poly bushings from ES make sure you've got stock bushings to begin with.

KZN185W the main reason I went wanted to go with poly is because they got much better reviews than any other aftermarket and the whole set was less than one toyota bushing.

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

I see. there's a thread on UY about replacing the bushings. you might want to look it up.

hatda02

Man, it has only been about a month or two since I removed (drilled out) my LCA bushings and they looked exactly the same as your first pic. I know mine were stock because of the amount of corrosion on the outer sleeve and the LCA itself. I could not press them out because of the amount of corrosion and had to drill the rubber and then notch the outer sleeve and "crush" it inwards to fold it out.

When I did this I already had new ones and they were the exact same. I did not go with OEM, I went with Moog because they are a good name and its hard to screw up a pressed in pushing.

With that said, since you picked up the OEM does it look like this will fix your problem? Will they come apart where you can use the inner sleeve?

JBurt

I could use the OEM bushings with the ES but to do that I'd have to destroy the OEM ones. Seems like kind of a waste if I've got brand new OEM's. I'm going to return the ES ones and just use the toyota's. I found a good thread on replacing them here

I put the rest of what I did on my build thread. Glad my sleeves came out a little easier and glad you got yours done. Corrosion sucks.

hatda02

Yea, I don't blame you one bit. When I did that total poly kit on my 87 I noticed no difference at all. On my 99 I just put on poly body bushings from 4Crawler, but I only did that because going poly was cheaper than replacing stock with new bushings, sleeves, bolts, washers...etc. I'm pretty convinced poly is overrated.

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

This guide's a lot better!

JBurt

Got to tell you the bottle jack worked like a charm