Alignment Help

[A-dog]

I recently installed new suspension components, so I took my 2002 Sport Edition 4x4 in for an alignment. The shop said the alignment bolts were seized and they were unable to adjust anything. I soaked them in penetrating oil for 2 weeks and took it to another alignment shop. They said the exact same thing. They also said the price to cut out the old bolts and replace them would be about $1000. Does anyone have any solutions for this, or any recommendations? Thank you for you help.

 

[jkoni426]

It's pretty common, the adjusters are seized up on the metal collar inside of the control arm bushing. They need to be cut out and either replace just the bushings and the adjusters or the entire control arm and adjusters. Replacing the control arm is a lot easier than struggling with the bushings but obviously pricier also. $1000 seems high though, think Toyota quoted me about $400 when I needed mine done.

 

[Toyotayoda]

I recently installed new suspension components, so I took my 2002 Sport Edition 4x4 in for an alignment. The shop said the alignment bolts were seized and they were unable to adjust anything. I soaked them in penetrating oil for 2 weeks and took it to another alignment shop. They said the exact same thing. They also said the price to cut out the old bolts and replace them would be about $1000. Does anyone have any solutions for this, or any recommendations? Thank you for you help.

yeah the adjustment cams are aluminum, while the sleeves through the control arm bushings are steel. The different metals oxidize and corrode to become impossible to move or remove. Getting new arms and adjustment cams and bolts is definitely the easiest solution

 

[A-dog]

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but I assume that I will need new lower control arms? Will these come with the new alignment bolts already installed? Is there a recommended brand of aftermarket control arms that I should be looking at if my car has the bilstein 5100/OME upgraded suspension, or should I go with OEM Toyota ones? Thank you for all your help.

 

[A2toHgt]

Have them adjust the toe. Should get you close enough.

 

[A-dog]

The toe is adjusted. They said the tire wear should be even but the ride quality will still suffer without a proper alignment.

 

[DaMonkey]

The toe is adjusted. They said the tire wear should be even but the ride quality will still suffer without a proper alignment.

If it was just caster, your tire wear would be even with poor handling, but if you did any kind of lift, I'm sure your camber is now positive and you will wear the outsides of tires. Did they give you report? If Camber is within 0.5° of vertical and you think it drives okay, you can be on your way, but best is to get the new bolts in.

I was quoted $400 to cut out bolts and replace them recently. I cut them out myself. It will eat up a couple $15 reciprocating blades to get the job done. Loosen steering rack mount to make it easier getting old ones out. Not necessary to cut your lower arms for the job.

Moog makes a camber bolt kit that is greasable to avoid freezing up again. Need one kit for each side.

 

[A2toHgt]

What are the alignment specs? When they have your rig on the alignment rack, they should give you the before/after specs and the target range.

If your 4runner falls within spec (camber/caster/toe) and it drives straight, I wouldn't bother trying to fix the frozen bolts. When I had my rig aligned last year, the tech mentioned my adjustment sleeves were frozen. Luckily camber & caster were within spec.

 

[Slodrivr]

I only had to cut one out when I replaced the bushings in my LCA's. It wasn't too bad. If all four of them are frozen it may take a while to get the job done.

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with this tool:
https://www.amazon.com/Specialty-Products-40915-Camber-Extractor/dp/B00BURHGOU

I don't recall thinking that I could cut the adjuster out without damaging the bushings. It's pretty easy to put new bushings in the old arms though. I used the hydraulic jack placed between the bushings removal method. Had to use a propane torch to heat the part the bushings are pressed into though.

Use plenty of anti-seize during reassembly.