I was told by the alignment guys that I need to replace the 2 bushings on the front lower A-Arm. Said there was excessive play and barely got it aligned.

I am reading through the shop manual and the Haynes. Seems pretty straight forward. I need to know 2 things:

1) What type of bushings should I buy?

2) Do I need a special tool to remove and insert the bushings? The shop manual says use SST and Haynes says take it to a shop. I am pretty good at red-neck rigging, so if there is a way, I'm game.

Thanks for your help!

These aren't as easy as they sound. I suggest using Moog replacements, some will suggest poly bushings. Anyways, here's some reading material from my adventure into this subject.

front LCA removal & bushing replacement - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...-press.134846/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ5BMfkuHlM

You need a press to remove the bushings and they will probably need to be persuaded with a torch. you can put a bottle jack in the arm as a way of jury rigging to get them out. I did mine last year and they were a PITA to get out. I went with Moog on mine.

Not sure if this was the right move but my lower ball joint and bushings weren't looking too good so I just bout these. Seem to be holding up with just a few thousand miles on them so far.

2004 Toyota 4Runner Front Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Pair at 1A Auto.com

Wow this is awesome. $237 for a complete set of upper and lower control arms. I just price moog ball joints and bushing and it was gonna run $202 on rock auto. Throw in the price of a torch and your are literally saving $10 to try and DIY this.

Doesn't even show a brand name?

I doubt these will last.

anyone have experience with these?

Detroit Axle - Both (2) Front Lower Driver & Passenger Side Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly - 10-Year Warranty
by Detroit Axle
Link: http://amzn.com/B01ACJNRQM

I currently have just over 200k and finally need some lcas. I've read several threads on this and other websites, and asked around. What I am hearing is that you are better off going with the Toyota lcas. They are more expensive but you will be replacing the other brands in a year or two. I would appreciate any comments and experiences on this since they need to be replaced. Also, if you are not diy, than it is about the same price to buy the whole control arm then just the bushings. I guess labor to replace the bushings makes the difference.

Also, Mike at Camelback Toyota sent me a quote. New lcas are $270 each. With all of the hardware is $658.00 plus tax. See pdf. Sorry it is sideways.

Attached Images

frontlca.pdf (66.0 KB, 266 views)

considering the price difference I think it would make more sense just to have to replace them every few years. I mean if you have 200k miles on your rig and you get three more years our of a $150 pair of LCAs, I think you are doing good.

Unless you are going to upgrade to ply bushings, do yourself a favor and buy the complete LCA assembly.

Having just done this, swapping the bushings is a real pita if you don't have the right tools. Most of the time the cam bots are seized and have to be cut out. You will need a touch, vice, bottle jack, and installation tool (get the 11pc Kit, the 9pc kit will not work) A shop press with the right sized press rings is incredibly helpful for this job. The torch is your friend! good luck!

Exactly how I look at it. Toyota wanted something like 2k, if i end up doing it for 700 dollars. not dealing with pressing out old bushings, direct replacement getting done in half the time is a pretty good compromise.
I guess you also need another 100 dollars for alignment.

I understand where you are coming from. But, the labor has a lot to do with it also. The cheapest I have been quoted, and trust is $450. I would tempt a diy project but I just do not have the time and it is a dd for my wife. We plan on keeping it for another 150 to 200k miles. Give it to the kid when he starts driving in a few years.

Considering replacing the ucas also while it is torn apart, depending on the price though. Any help and information would be appreciated on those also.

I had two separate mechanics look at mine and both recommended arm replacement rather than pressing out the bushings and replacing. Granted, if I had done it myself it would've been far cheaper to do bushings vs. new arms. Regardless, unless you have a lot of patience replacing the entire arm is prob. your best bet.

Just had uppers and lowers replaced by a dealer + misc mounting hardware. Here is part and price list to give you an idea. 95% covered under an extended warranty I purchased with my 4Runner.

You could save a lot by doing the labor yourself, supposed to be moderately easy. If planning on doing UCAs I would do aftermarket. LCA OEM

Dig around, @t-man posted a link that's the lower arms with bushings and ball joints installed and tie rod ends for like 200. I have it book marked at home for when I get around to doing it but not here at work and can't currently find the link.