Hey all,


Long time reader, first time poster.
Last year I finally got a hold of a 95 4x4, went to get it aligned, and was sent home with "bent control arms."

I was wondering where on earth other 90-95 4runner owners are getting their lower control arms from! Every parts site has turned me away, and I can only find a single lower arm on PartsGeek for $280. I can find the uppers left and right but, man, the lowers seem to be hiding at every turn. I'd really like to get this truck aligned with some quality parts, and will take all the help I can get. I've heard much controversy over MOOG parts and would really just like to get anything that will hold up over time (and a few bumps here and there).

 

Are they really bent that bad??

Quite often the Adjustment bolts are seized .

Check Car part .com

Look for someone doing a Solid Axle swap

 

Wow that is strange. You will definitely be able to find a good used set. Lots of people have parted out these trucks. Check ebay?

 

Also check your local junkyards.

 

You can still get new ones. Rockauto has them, saw them yesterday when I discovered you can separate out and view all the clearance/wholesale priced items for your vehicles. They weren't on sale though, I think they start at like $70/ea

 

Thanks for all the replies!

I was hoping to refrain from junkyards/used arms so I wouldn't have to replace the bushings. Also, rock auto doesn't have any lowers for the 2nd gen, that was definitely the first place I looked.

Turns out cut rate auto parts found MOOG brand lowers (their website doesn't even have them!) in California and can get them up here by next weekend.


I guess I was just more curious if there was some reason behind the shortage. It seems like production for the earlier models was stopped, or at least significantly reduced. Seems like for most other truck models you can buy a full front control arm set on Amazon pretty easy.

Anyway, until next time!!

 

You're right, just looked again and only saw upper control arms for 4wd, not LCA.

 

"Bent lower control arms" on a 2nd gen? I'm sure it's possible, but seems unlikely unless the truck was wrecked or jumped. They are pretty tough, and just normal driving and offroading won't do a thing to them. I'd ask the alignment shop how they know the arms are "bent". More likely worn bushings.

 

typically the lower control arms would crack prior to bending, but not to never. Could always switch over to a long arm travel kit now haha