Cam Tabs

When I had my truck aligned after dropping from a 3" level kit with pucks to 6612's they told me I had a bent cam tab and couldn't get camber in to spec. Left it set at -.5 degrees.
Been a few weeks so I figured the coils had settled all they're gonna settle, went to bend the tab back to hopefully get it aligned and of course it broke off.
Whats the best option to fix it? The TC gussets? I've been fighting shit alignments for months, destroyed a set of tires, and I'm about to lose my mind.
I'm just gonna take it it and have them do a toe and go on it for now but I've got to get this damn thing aligned before I buy new tires

 

Hey OP, any updates on this? I just realized that one of mine is bent and I need to figure out a solution. I haven't tried to bend it back up but I'm sure it will break off....that's just my luck.

 

I'd think @Vizsla, @papasmurf, or @osidepunker would know or be familiar with the fix here.

 

The OP hasn't been on here since January.... so probably not getting a response from him

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/new-product-cam-tab-double-shear.46647/

 

You can get Total Chaos cam tab gussets. Or if you don’t want to spend the money and time, I honestly think you can just weld on a little bar in place of the bent tab. Either way it needs to be fixed.

 

Same thing happened to me.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/suspension-slip.63836/
I took it to a small shop and had it welded, then back to the alignment shop. All good

Just make sure the shop uses a "jump box" on the battery....it makes it safe to weld on the frame, or bad things can happen. Exhaust shops have them

 

Thanks guys for the feedback/info. I'm dropping my truck off tomorrow at a local off road shop, they are going to install some UCAs. I'll also ask them to take a look at this as well. I'll ask them to bend it back and if that doesn't work I'll see if they can weld it back.

I'm pretty sure this was caused by a local Toyota shop....smh.

 

Even if they can bend it back without it breaking, I would still weld on a little backing. The metal is already fatigued and it’ll just bend again.

 

Okay, that's a good point. I'll ask the shop if they can do this.

 

This just happened to me today time to go with the total chaos kit

 

You have a 2021. Make Toyota fix it. That’s unacceptable on a brand new truck!

 

Bring it back to Toyota, should be totally fixed under warranty.

 

I am getting push back due to the Icon suspension. Plus I have no confidence that this won’t just happen again with the factory p.o.s. piece of metal.

 

How is having a suspension and the tabs getting bent/broke off a denial for fix? Lifted or not they have a potential of getting mangled when getting a alignment. Unless I’m missing something here, the dealer is lazy unless they deem it’s a wearable part per Toyota????

 

Push back harder. That’s BS. Get them to fix them then weld a bead to the backside of the tabs and never worry about it again.

 

My local Toyota dealership installs lifts.. warranty by demand

 

You're both right, there should be no reason why the suspension would affect the cam tabs shearing off. I have figured out the root of the issue, Les Schwab did not tighten the cam bolt all the way..... when it was last aligned.

This all happened while I was in Bend for the weekend and when this happened I brought it to a Les Schwab there and they said the bolt was super loose. So the Bend Les Schwab aligned it and tightened the heck out of the bolt so I could drive back home. I just got back from the Les Schwab that didn't tighten the bolt and they are covering it fully. They will work with the shop I trust who will install the Total Chaos Cam gusset kit and Les Schwab will cover the cost. Happy they made it right but more happy this all didn't happen while on the freeway.

 

I think many of these problems stem from the different design of the front / back cam bolt parts. They differ in terms of loosening the bolt, or nut.
I suspect that some techs are cranking on the cam washer before properly loosening the cam nut / bolt.
Regardless, if you want to improve the odds of success you should make sure all of those bolts and nuts can be broken free before you drop off the car.
These folks are expected to get a certain number of cars done per hour or day, nobody has time to take care of your baby, you have to prep your baby for the best results. Spend a few hours, do an "at home" alignment, this way you understand the terminology for real, get all the nuts / bolts broken free, then drop off for a more "precise" alignment.
fwiw, my cam bolts / nuts were also very under torqued after an alignment. Glad I checked!.

 

Another one down. Got an alignment on the 6th after the lift kit. At some point this happened in the last 600miles. Not sure if it happened day of or happened after. Shop that did the work wants it back to check it out(200 miles away). All highway miles besides my fairly maintained county road....and I was just about to take in on a trip to my folks 4hrs away

 

I feel your pain! My truck gets the Total Chaos cam gussets on Friday finally. I would check that the bolt is tight, that bolt would have shifted a pretty long way.

 

Did you continue to drive it. I did my best to see if it was tight then marked it with a paint pen. It drives straight and feels normal.

 

It happened after. Because the shop didn’t torque them high enough. If it happened before the alignment, they would’ve noticed it while doing the alignment.

 

Am I correct in thinking the “tabs” are just to aid the cam washer in moving the cam during alignment?

 

The tabs hold the cams in place. As the cam is turned it changes the position of the LCAs. If the tabs are flattened, you can’t get a proper alignment. And the tech would’ve said so. It’s also very unlikely they damaged it during the alignment. Overwhelmingly likely scenario is the tech didn’t torque them tight enough and as the cams moved while you were driving, the tabs got flattened. This happened to another member a few months ago and I believe the shop took responsibility and replaced the tabs with Total Chaos gussetted tabs. Because just bending them back won’t hold anymore. Hopefully your shop will take responsibility and replace it for you.

 

Thanks for the reply. After some time thinking....this is the likely situation. It’s a very frustrating issue. I live remotely and dont have many options locally. I went to a larger town(where my in laws live) to have leveling kit, tires, and alignment done. To date all my wheels are scared(they agreed to have them refinished), asked for 2” level and got 3” , then today found the alignment issues. Been a fucked up month.....time for another beer.

 

The alignment shop should be responsible for it and they know it. Hopefully they work with you and offer to replace it. It’s likely going to take some work and maybe some welding. If they absolutely refuse to and only offer to bend it back, ask if they can atleast weld on a little piece behind it to reinforce it.

 

It’s a chain that doesn’t offer that level of work. They wanted to check alignment and tighten is so it won’t move. Per the assistant manager. The main guy is supposed to call me tomorrow. Honestly at this point they will more than likely not touch my truck again. I think they will own up to the repairs as they are large enough to have insurance for it....we will see.

 

Bend it back, put a good weld on the backside so it doesn't happen again then get it realigned. You'll be GTG.

 

What precautions should be taken on a vehicle with modern electronics when talking abound welding on the frame?