Bushings or whole control arms?

I see complete after market lower control arms for half the price of a set of new OE bushings from Toyota parts online.

What have you all done? Any regrets?

 

When I do mine, I'm buying new control arms. I've done the cut, burn, pry and hammer old bushings out, and it's not fun.

 

I'll be going oem LCAs with oem ball joints. Very much an important component. Pretty much life or death.

 

I bought new OEM control arms when my old bushings were shot, along with new OEM LBJs etc. Everything went back together easy-peazy and my truck performs great. No regrets.

I've read plenty from others replacing the bushings is trouble. Depending on your rust situation, you may have to cut out the alignment bolts and replace them as well. Can't speak for reliability of aftermarket LCA's.

 

I replaced both LCAs... no regerts. Depending on the condition of your eccentric bolts, you may have to replace those while you're there. If they're frozen on (as is usually the case) a Sawzall with a Diablo carbide blade will make short work of it.

 

Stay away from Mevotech LCAs. Complete junk with bushings that don’t last.

OEM and Moog are the ones I’ve seen people use.

 

Moog have been serving me well.

 

If the cam bolts aren't seized, is there any need to replace them or can one reuse them? Mine don't have any rust on them like I've seen from others.

 

You can reuse them for sure.

 

All I know is I have had my truck aligned twice. And both times the tech have had a problem with the adjusters. Also, I get bad steering wheel wobble at highway speeds.

 

I reused mine. There was minimal rust on mine, but I ground it off and rubbed anti-seize all over them.

 

Is it the same tech/ place that aligned your truck twice that says they're having problems with the adjusters? If so, I would get a third opinion. Have the tires been rotated regularly?

I don't think there's anything wrong with your adjusters personally, but these are the adjusters many people end up going with aftermarket. Note, one kit is only for one side. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SPS-25445

 

Two different shops. The tires are shot. I'll be getting new tires, but not before Im sure the suspension and alignment is good. I'm going to jack it up and try to wiggle the lowers with a pry bar before I order anything.

 

If they are having trouble with the adjusters, that's just another way of saying the cam bolt bushings are sized. The only thing they can adjust is the tie rods. You are not getting what you paid for.

Cut out the old bolts and replace along with control arms and LBJ's then get it aligned.

 

Again, half the price of OE. These look like junk though. They are really popular?

 

I replaced with these Moogs: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...yReqSAVwjyA1yoEFwe7WZzVlSoAmkX5AaAupPEALw_wcB
Not sure what everyone else is running but these work well and have grease zerks that fill the sleeves.... so they won't be freezing again. I like.
Sold "per wheel".

 

Make sure that you mark the existing alignment on your old bolts before removal so that you can install the new ones relatively close to where the old ones were. I use White-Out for this. You'll still need an alignment (obviously) but this will make it easier for the shop.

 

Thanks, I like those Moogs better. Not sure if hollowing out the bolt for the grease weakens it enough to be worried about though.

 

I'm pretty abusive with this truck offroad and haven't busted one yet. Lord knows I've tried. I do some stupid shit.