Hi All,

Got a new set of rubber installed today and we noticed that the rear bushing on the lower control arms are totally shot and have a ton of play in them. After a little research it seems the bushings vary throughout the 3rd gen. Are the bushings for my 96 4x4 v6 replaceable or do I need to replace the entire lower control arm.

(Toyota dealership and my research say that I do need to replace the control arm. just looking for a second opinion)

That being said, would a used LCA from another 3rd gen year be compatible?

Thanks for the help.

 

Just why can`t they be replaced??

Have you priced new control arms??

 

I'm not sure what the term was but the bushings are one piece with the control arms.

The arms are 350$ a side from the dealer or 150$ a side from the wrecker (for a newer year).

 

Looks like Ill probably just be buying these parts online, Rock Auto is selling different brands from 50-100$ per side. Any recommendations on brands, these are listed from cheapest to most expensive.

Dorman, Raybestos (ball joint included), Mevotech, Bech/Arney

 

To be honest with most all these parts made in China I really don`t know anymore.

Before I would have said Raybestos or Beck-Arnely

 

Thanks for the input. I wish I could shell out the 350$ per side for the OEM parts, but I just don't have the cash

 

Edit!

I assumed you were referring to the Rear Lower Control Arm bushing (AKA Trailing Arm) so I deleted my input.

Carry on.

 

No worries! I suppose A arm might be the more appropriate term. Not 100% what the exact name is. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...638&cc=1272552 This is the part

 

Any of those from Rock Auto are probably just refinished & re-bushed factory arms. I have a very difficult time believing that any aftermarket supplier would manufacture new arms.



Andreas

 

Have you made a choice or decided what your doing??

I think I would go with the Raybestos one less thing to mess with as the ball joints are included .

You are doing both sides??

These bushing are a major pain to change on the ones you can just swapping control arms seems much easier.

While you have them out it would not hurt to change the hardware .

 

Not quite sure which avenue I'll be going. Raybestos seems most convenient, but for minimal extra money I could put on the arms with Moog BJs which I know are quality.

I will definitely be doing both sides at the same time. Likely along with tie rod ends, a new suspension kit and new cv joints. So it'll be a bit of a task...

 

What about the upper BJs?

 

Yeah I suppose I should do those at the same time as well...

 

The control arm bushings are replaceable, dealerships simply replace the whole arm so some of the parts guys don't realize you can get them separate. Go oem, not that generic stuff. At least, if you don't want to be replacing them again in a year or two. There is a great write-up on here somewhere, I remember putting the link on JBurt's build thread....will look to see if I can find it.

Edit: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/9...rd-gen-265072/


https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f200...l#post51985286
post 855
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f200...1/index45.html
post 887, 888

 

I got the AC/Delco ones and they are just rebranded 555s.....

 

Awesome! That's good to know. Probably gonna go with that avenue then!

 

I should clarify, they are the AC/Delco Professional Grade.

 

Just to wrap everything up. After a long wait time for parts I was very much unable to get the cam bolts out. Took it into the shop and they had to torch them out. I guess 330k will do that.

Not sure what the issue is with the cam bolts but North Shore Off Road (who did the work) said they've even had to cut them out of 2013 4runners. I replaced them with greasable units.