I was reading a review on the FA5040, and the reviewer said that AutoZone changed the manufacturer and it was not as sturdy as it used to be. Can anyone confirm or dispute this?

And how can one visually tell the difference if they have changed it?

 

I know for sure that they did something different with it. I had the older FA5040 on my 4Runner and when it started to get sloppy, I went in to get a new one the arm itself is much thinner than the old style. I decided to keep it and ended up ordering a brass bushing kit from 4Crawler and rebuinding it. Then I added bracing kit from blazeland - it has been over 2 years and I have not had a single issue with it.

 

I work at an AutoZone, and I can say they have not changed suppliers across the board.


There are at least 2 suppliers for that part number, certainly many more for Duralast chassis components in general (I've seen several parts come out of Duralast boxes, with Moog stamped right on the part. Which theoretically we are not supposed to carry). 4Crawler's website talks about how to identify the difference (the "555" stamping on one of them....I don't remember off the top of my head which is which).

I got the correct one, first try, last summer.


Be patient with whoever you're talking to. There are a few ways that "we" can order parts in, some just cost us time, some actually cost the company money in shipping (which I'm not generally OK with just so you can look at the part).

 

Just went through this. Both victorville CA locations had the new style....generally crappy looking casting and a slightly thinner shaft, not to mention the wrong castle nut with it. I bent my arm otherwise i would have rebuilt it.

 

Guess I wont be making anymore Braces to fit the Duralast FA5040. I'll still offer the DIY Weld Up version- that you can fit to any of them, even a bent one if you straighten it.

I still cant understand why one of these manufactures doesn't just build something bullet proof. They could double the price ($35 to $70) and we would all be really happy. Someone should start a petition.

 

im trying to find the FA5040 part .. also here in Victorville . finally wore out original after 300,000 miles it was John Bull trail that killed it .

 

someone mentioned mcmaster carr . i found bushings there 2.06 each i ordered 6, i think that they will fit the 18mm shaft . since i can't locate a FA5040 with .786 shaft . my original is .767 not as big but not much smaller . the bronze bushings at mcmaster for my shaft and housing are part # 6659k37 they are 18mm shaft size,22mm od with a flange 26 od x 2mm thick .

 

$4.12 repair the bushings listed above fit perfectly , there was a very small area at end of shaft was swollen dinged mushroomed or whatever else it might be called . once i polished it down the bushings slipped on perfect fit . also fits perfectly into the housing and installed a zerk for greasing .