Frozen Cam bolts

Hey everyone,

I tried to get my truck lined up a few days ago and they said the Cam bolts are rusted to the bushing's. Not exactly what I was hoping to hear lol. I guess my options are new lower control arms, cam bolts. Has anyone found a way to press the bolt out and just replace the bolts? or should I try to just replace the bushings and the bolts? Hoping for some suggestions on this one lol.

 

Double Like on this...

 

I like PB Blaster too. Do they still make "3 in 1" oil? That used to be great stuff. I'm old....is Monkeywards still open? Joking of course.

 

Acetone, ATF, and penetrating oil. Put some one every day for a week. Then hit them with some heat and give it a try with a breakerbar with a long pipe or an air ratchet. Make sure you're working on the nut first to get it loose then try to free up the bolt.
If that doesn't work then get them cut out and replaced and cost them with sometime and some never seize

 

right...

 

I used a balljoint press to get them out. Mine were seized pretty badly, too. I put new OEM bolts in with a bunch of anti-seize.

 

^^+1

 

I've always used a ball joint press as well. Not a fan of most penetrating oils, as they are advertised. The best lubricant I have ever used is TriFlow. For my many experiences of not being able to get 3 in 1, PB Blaster, etc., to work, that stuff has never let me down. For years, I couldn't get a super heavy shower door to stop squeaking. Then I applied triflow, 1 year ago. Problem solved. And no, I don't work for them! Good stuff, available at most Ace Hardware locations or Amazon.

 

Anyone have OEM part number for the cam bolts I’ll need?

 

481900C020 & 484090C020. You'll need 2 of each.

 

Thank you!

 

Number #13 is the part that siezes in the bushing. It's a long tube that the bolt goes through. It's not an easy job but you have to drive out the bolts. The sleeve (#13) usually has to be cut so the control arm can be removed. I then use a long special punch to split the sleeve inside the bushing then hammer it out. Most techs like to just replace the bushing but the bushing are expensive and sometimes they don't come out of the control arms in a friendly way requiring new control arms. Spending a little time to remove the sleeves is the better way but it does take some skill to spit the sleeve so it can be removed.




BTW, once the sleeve seizes no amount of penetrating fluid is going to loosen them.

 

Man, wish Toyota developed these a little better. Going to put a lift on the truck in the beginning of the summer. Budgeting new control arms was not in the plans haha. Hopefully mine are still good (fingers crossed). Factory LCA are pricy. Someone recommended Moog. Idk

 

Moog makes some good products. Because the ball joint is not in the ball joint, I would consider Moog if the price was substantially less.

 

I'm going to invest into inductive bolt heater. MAP torch works, but it heats up everything around, wiring and rubber including.

Reuse factory LCAs if can, they are very good.

 

Moog is less. Almost by half of the factory cost.

 

I would buy the Moog. I believe Moog has a lifetime warranty on the BJ.

 

I’ve cut so many of these out. Even new trucks had corrosion on the cam. If it’s seized, it will need to be cut out. Don’t waste time with trying to use penetrating fluid. Poly bushings are a great replacement. Super pro makes some super solid bushings. Then you’ll need the new cam bolts to replace them with. I’ve used a grey moly grease to prevent any further corrosion on the cam bolt, but Lucas red n tacky works very good as well.

 

Do these also come with the other parts in this photo? #16, 15, and 12? Or will those parts be reusable?

 

13 and 14 will be the only unusable cam bolt parts

 

Awesome, thanks.

 

Just remember it's not an easy job and does take a level of skill. Once you start there's no going back.

 

Yea doesn’t seem easy. Might have the shop do it when I do my lift. They will prob say I need new LCA’s

 

Maybe they aren't siezed? I've had a few that weren't on newer trucks. If you live in an area that doesn't use road salt they may be fine.

 

From experience here.
Air hammer them out. By far the easiest method.
Moogs are ok.
On my Tacoma I went moog. But…
I later went long travel and the moogs were not compatible with my kit. Ended up buying oem again. It’s been awhile but the bolts were damn expensive.

 

Live upstate NY… they use salt. It’s only been through one winter here. Bought it last summer from PA. Truck was in Delaware and PA and they use sand. It looked perfect underneath when I bought it. No rust at all. Hopefully one winter didn’t ruin it. Thanks for all the info guys. Much appreciated.

 

You might be OK.

 

Don’t know who told you they use sand, but they lied to you.