Fj Cruiser Front Lower Control Arm Replacements

[nlk125]

So New taco owners, and FJ people, has anybody upgraded their Front lower control arms... I see Nathan has the all pro setup, who else out there has done some front end work.

I just took my FJ in for new tires, (285/70/17's) and a wheel alignment today. When they were doing the initial inspection of the front end prior to the alignment, the tech found I have a slightly worn lower ball joint on the passenger side... Which, as it turns out, is only available for replacement on an entire new lower control arm if you get it from Toyota, for........ $800...... Not the way I want to go, since it will wear out again, and whamo, another $800 ball joint... (WHICH IS TOTAL CRAP I say!!!) So I want to replace both LCA's with a stock geometry aftermarket set which has replaceable ball joints, and a bit beefier construction... Thinking long term here.

I see Total chaos makes what appears to be a really nice set of LCA's, so does All pro, but from what I see, All pro's are part of a long travel kit, which I'm not interested in right now. So, other than TC, what other options are out there? I've looked, but can't seem to find much.

Thanks,

Cheers!!!

[freeze]

Total Chaos offers a complete lower control arm with a unibal for more articulation. But it also depends on your CV of course.

I couldn't find it on their site but it's there somewhere. But you're right they're the only ones so far.

I also have a set of lower control arms from my Tacoma if you wanted to purchase them.

[Doc McCoy]

Now to fair ... Camburg is in there too copying the designs and making a long travel kit. Let's not leave them out.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/4559921181_f5bcbd9b94.jpg
Camburg's Long Travel Kit (http://www.camburg.com/?p=1406)

Looks a lot like the pioneers of the game ...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/4560550702_fd9384d17d.jpg
Total Chaos Kit (http://www.chaosfab.com/86002.php#)

So you know it's only a matter of time before the other guys design their own (completely not copied) regular travel LCA on it's own as well. For now, I'm pretty sure TC is the sole seller of such a product. It sounds a little pricey though. Around 1500 for the pair ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/4560550748_99ba24a9ee.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/4559921395_8f90f627a0.jpg

Nice lookin' arms ... but at that price you're entering Long Travel territory. Here is the link to them on Total Chaos' website;

Total Chaos Toyota Accessories (http://www.chaosfab.com/toyaccess_05taco.html)

It's about the fourth item down.

[nlk125]

Wow, very thorough. Thanks Doc! Hadn't seen the Camburg setup.

Re: TC: Even at $1600 USD for the pair, TC reg travel LCA's are in about the same price range as OEM Toyota parts. Going into Long travel territory is still a LOT more expensive. Need upper control arms, longer shocks, new springs, extended axle shafts etc... I expect it would total in the near $5k range all said and done. With the stock length I can use my OEM Upper A arms, and OME shocks/springs... Though if anybody has the Front Heavy springs around, I'd probably add those when I do the LCA's. Then I can put the Longer rear springs in, and get the alignment done.

[Doc McCoy]

Wow ... I didn't read the first part of the thread properly. I didn't realise that Toyota was getting that messed up. On my Tacoma, unless the whole LCA cracks, the only serviceable items are the lower ball joint and the LCA bushings. That is a lot cheaper than buying a whole LCA obviously.

At that price, I think it would be a good idea to get two things done. Get a second opinion on the lower ball joint being worn out. Mine is abused pretty regularly and I'm replacing mine at 300,000km as preventive maintenance. I am not an FJ Cruiser driver, so I have to wonder if this is now a problem part for Toyota?

Second, ask around to some other parts desks. I know for my truck, they do sell the whole LCA assembly but the serviceable parts are available separately. Maybe the parts guy didn't look closely enough (not all parts dept.s are created equal). I like the parts guys at Stampede and the ones down in Dallas at Toyotapartsales.com

If all that fails and puts you back into buying brand new LCAs ... TC is probably the way to go but I would get into contact with them and find out if the uniball lower ball joint that they offer with their kit is replaceable or serviceable as well. I imagine you simply buy a new Aurora uniball and get it pressed in but I don't know for sure.

Good luck either way and let us know what happens!

[nlk125]

Yeah, I've called 3 different places re: Ball joint. No go. Whole LCA needed. Spoke with Pat at TC the other day, the unibal is teflon bushed I guess, and held in with circlip. Replaceable for approx: $60 he tells me. Seems like the way to go... I'll keep you posted when I actually DO something about it. Thanks for the info/advice.

Cheers!

[Doc McCoy]

Seems like you've got it under control. TC sounds like the best option if it needs replacing then (might be why they are offering one in the first place). Definitely watching this thread.

[nlk125]

Just a quick update... 4wheel auto parts (I think) in Edmonton is now a dealer for TC, they actually have the parts in stock... apparently these beasties weigh about 50#'s...

[OwennH]

My friend got a set from all pro off road , I think he paid just under 1k shipped to his door.
funny though I dont see them listed on there site give them a call
1-951-658-7077 dollar is par ! they are great to deal with aswell.
They also offer a long travel kit that is more complete then the TC and camburg kit for a better price.

12' front travel

http://www.allprooffroad.com/fjfrontsuspension/fjlongtravel

I would gladly do the welding / install for you /
funny the comments on the kit by (freeze) calgary , ab is this are freeze ?
I have not found anything to replace LCA's to oem fit for a competeive price.

[canadian bum]

Red Deer Toyota quoted me $400 for the lower control arm. Also you can buy the ball joints on Ebay. I haven't bought the joints, but you can press out the joints in the factory arms.

[tacotaco]

I bought a set off E-bay and they seem to be a good quality joints for both upper and lower L/R and they are made in Taiwan @ $85 USD a set and after everything it was around $110 CDN.

[nlk125]

Hmmm, this is a much nicer budget to work with.

Does anybody have the vendor/part number I'd need to look into to get these E-Bay Ball joints?

Then again, if you guys were planning to keep this truck for a long time, which way would you go. Economical reasonably fix for a couple $100 now, and possible headache again in the future. Or Spend the dough (a lot of dough by comparison), buy the TC kit, and know that you're putting bombproof Gear on the truck, which will hold up for the long haul, and is easily serviceable in the future with readily available parts?

The budget aspect is appealing, but bombproof is good too... :)

[freeze]

Yeah totally agree... It's a lot of coin on the TC LCA's which doesn't provide much benefit. The way that Albert is talking about is awesome! If you wanted protection for your LCA's you could always weld on their skids.

You can service the TC LCA's with easy drop in/push out uni-balls.

[tacotaco]

Hmmm, this is a much nicer budget to work with.

Does anybody have the vendor/part number I'd need to look into to get these E-Bay Ball joints?

Then again, if you guys were planning to keep this truck for a long time, which way would you go. Economical reasonably fix for a couple $100 now, and possible headache again in the future. Or Spend the dough (a lot of dough by comparison), buy the TC kit, and know that you're putting bombproof Gear on the truck, which will hold up for the long haul, and is easily serviceable in the future with readily available parts?

The budget aspect is appealing, but bombproof is good too... :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390088825817&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I decided to buy the Ball joint kit because all the aftermarket control arms have a exposed ball joint which I think would end up pitting the chrome and destroying the outter ball joint cup. I personally don't think the aftermarket ball joints were made for the winters up here with all the salt and gravel they spill on the roads but I might be wrong. If the people with the aftermarket control arms have little to no issue with them I might go back and buy a set.

[Grandpa Smurf]

I just had my FJ in for alignment (38,000KM) and both toe adjusters are seized. The tech could not free them, he told me I must have got them wet when driving offroad and water got in a seized them. Maybe he hasn't driven in Calgary in the winter "THE ROADS GET WET HERE" and besides that, he is talking about an FJ Cruiser (toyota ment it to go off road, or did they?). Thank god for extended warranty or $2500.00 to replace would have been the bill.
I should have bought a motorbike if I can't drive my FJ in the rain LOL.

[Doc McCoy]

Do you guys have the same tech?

[Grandpa Smurf]

Took mine to Heninger. Understood they had a great alignment guy. It will go back 2 months before the warranty runs out for another alignment and maybe another set of LCA's.

[nlk125]

I just had my FJ in for alignment (38,000KM) and both toe adjusters are seized. The tech could not free them, he told me I must have got them wet when driving offroad and water got in a seized them. Maybe he hasn't driven in Calgary in the winter "THE ROADS GET WET HERE" and besides that, he is talking about an FJ Cruiser (toyota ment it to go off road, or did they?). Thank god for extended warranty or $2500.00 to replace would have been the bill.
I should have bought a motorbike if I can't drive my FJ in the rain LOL.

I can guarantee I will not be spending $2500 on OEM LCA's... Just for an alignment... For that price I can buy the TC upper and Lower Control arms...

[freeze]

yeah no doubt. It's mostly likely the person before just never had an alignment done and the bolts seized. The Tacoma has the same set up and it's seen really horrible conditions but I do get aligned often which probably prevents them from seizing.

[Tacorossa]

I'm wondering why you would have to replace the whole lower control arm if the toe adjuster is seized? I'm asking because I'm having the same problem. I bought All-Pro UCA's to get my caster back within spec. Found out today that my toe adjuster is seized and they can only barely get me within spec, not optimum but good enough apparently.

I'm not happy with "good enough" so will likely want to fix this problem and get it re-aligned. I'm out of warranty, so I will not be paying for a new LCA. My friend who is doing the alignment priced out a new bushing to the tune of $120 from Heninger. He figures he can fix it without replacing the LCA, but does that seem like a reasonable price for a bushing?

[nlk125]

Ha... It seems if it's OEM, reasonable has nothing to do with anything...

[Tacorossa]

Ha... It seems if it's OEM, reasonable has nothing to do with anything...

Damn disposable trucks. New LCA every time I need a wheel alignment.

[freeze]

Just align the truck regularly and it'll be fine. I usually do an alignment quite often as I'm changing suspension settings or the odd trip will mis-align the front end. Plus it'll keep the tire wear nice and smooth.

[Tacorossa]

Just align the truck regularly and it'll be fine. I usually do an alignment quite often as I'm changing suspension settings or the odd trip will mis-align the front end. Plus it'll keep the tire wear nice and smooth.

You still have your stock LCA's for sale Nathan?

[Tacorossa]

Good news, you can get replacement LCA bushings from www.toyotapartsales.com (http://www.toyotapartsales.com) for about $40 each. That's much cheaper than the Heninger quote I got of $120 each.

They also sell adjustment cams, ball joints, and the complete LCA with bushings and ball joint for about $250 each.

Come to think of it, they have great prices on most everything. Interesting....

[Doc McCoy]

Yeah, I love toyotapartsales. The one downside is that everything I have ever had shipped from them came usps and was questionably packed.

[nlk125]

Good news, you can get replacement LCA bushings from www.toyotapartsales.com (http://www.toyotapartsales.com) for about $40 each. That's much cheaper than the Heninger quote I got of $120 each.

They also sell adjustment cams, ball joints, and the complete LCA with bushings and ball joint for about $250 each.

Come to think of it, they have great prices on most everything. Interesting....

WOW!! Sweet link! Thanks for Posting this... Just found the Lower ball joints for $58.00 Each. Time to do a little undercarriage inspection and order some replacement parts me thinks!! So, probably Bushings, and Ball Joints would be the most likely worn out bits... Any thoughts to other considerations?

Cheers!

[nlk125]

WOW!! Sweet link! Thanks for Posting this... Just found the Lower ball joints for $58.00 Each. Time to do a little undercarriage inspection and order some replacement parts me thinks!! So, probably Bushings, and Ball Joints would be the most likely worn out bits... Any thoughts to other considerations?

Cheers!

Hhmmmm... Upon closer inspection, it looks like the actual BALLS themselves are still part of the LCA... Thoughts?

[nlk125]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390088825817&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I decided to buy the Ball joint kit because all the aftermarket control arms have a exposed ball joint which I think would end up pitting the chrome and destroying the outter ball joint cup. I personally don't think the aftermarket ball joints were made for the winters up here with all the salt and gravel they spill on the roads but I might be wrong. If the people with the aftermarket control arms have little to no issue with them I might go back and buy a set.

So... How tough was it to press out/in the old, then new Ball joints... Is it something that can be done on the Truck, or do the control arms need to come off. Also, any feedback so far on the durability of the aftermarket joints?

I think I'm going the route of new Ball Joints, and if necessary new bushings... The TC setup will have to wait. Right now, I just want to get some confidence back in the Front of my FJ.

[CalgaryRider]

If they are anything like the Tacoma LCA then its just a matter of replacing the whole LCA as they are a sealed unit.

I think Albert has pressed out the ball joints, he might be the one to ask.

[tacotaco]

They were a little bit of a pain to press out as I used MAPP gas to heat and used my ball joint press tool to get them out. I don't have pics but they are servicable joints.

[Tacorossa]

Found this as a solution for the siezed control arm bushing problem. Looks like they can be pressed out from the comfort of your own garage.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/134846-redneck-lower-control-arm-lca-bushing-press.html#post2624304

[CalgaryRider]

Thats a great link thanks!

[Tacorossa]

I'm sure you could find a puller to do the same thing, but I like how he has used what was laying around in his garage. I have the same stuff kicking around my garage too.

I'm thinking though, it looks like there is some meat to the LCA, maybe enough to install a couple of grease nipples on the back of each bushing? That way greasing can become part of our regular maintenance and keep the bushings from getting locked up.

[nlk125]

Good to see some info shared because of this thread... Just thought since I started it, a follow up is probably in order. Haven't done anything with the FJ yet. Had it in to Henninger for a second opinion on the general condition of the whole front suspension. After a thorough inspection the tech tells me everything is fine, within toyota Spec, and there is no need to worry... So, no need to spend any extra cash either... Therefore I have time to plan and prepare for when bushings, ball joints, etc start to fail.

Thanks to everyone for their input, suggestions and solutions!

Cheers,

[CalgaryRider]

well it sounds like your news was better then mine...

Truck is in the shop now, and it seems the ball joint in my lower control arm on the passenger side is starting to go..... Man my front suspension is going to end up costing me more then my truck!!

[Tacorossa]

well it sounds like your news was better then mine...

Truck is in the shop now, and it seems the ball joint in my lower control arm on the passenger side is starting to go..... Man my front suspension is going to end up costing me more then my truck!!

$250 for a complete LCA with ball joint and bushings from www.toyotapartsales.com

[CalgaryRider]

and you guys come through again! love it!

Hopefully I still have one from when I JUST did a rebuild on the passenger side suspension.

That brings my list of new/newer parts in that side to:
2 Wheel bearings
Upper Control Arm
UCA through bolt
Spindle
Lower Control Arm (with new ball joint)

I hope that it is it! if not, screw it, I'm going all aftermarket....

[nlk125]

and you guys come through again! love it!

Hopefully I still have one from when I JUST did a rebuild on the passenger side suspension.

That brings my list of new/newer parts in that side to:
2 Wheel bearings
Upper Control Arm
UCA through bolt
Spindle
Lower Control Arm (with new ball joint)

I hope that it is it! if not, screw it, I'm going all aftermarket....

Or you could Just SAS IT! :D