It's been posted before but if this will save someone else from a lot of grief I will say it again. "DO NOT BUY DOORMAN FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS!!!" same story my old ones were worn out and I thought buying the whole assembly would be the best way to go. I spent the next year driving on trips with a lot of stress keeping the vehicle straight on the road. accelerate and it would jink left, decelerate and it would jink right. put on the brakes and hard pull to the left. I kept looking else where for the problem, (can't be the lower control arms I just replaced them) the vehicle aligns alright, I eventuallly took it into a shop and told them what it was doing they threw up their arms and said "can't find anything wrong" I replaced calipers, rotors, and pads thinking it might be more than one problem "no difference" bled brakes, replaced brake lines, replaced some pieces in the rear suspension. no luck. finally I searched this forum and found another member with same problem (identical) rebush original LCA with toyota bushings. I had already thrown mine away so I bought 2 used ones, rebushed them, took the Doormans out reinstalled the toyota units and voila! it so nice to have the old 4runner back. I'm just glad I didn't keep track of how much I spent otherwise I would probably be depressed! it's gonna be a pleasure throwing away the Doorman LCA's
Burned by the Doorman Lower Control Arms
- Thread starter Johnnie
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01thunder
New member
what do you expect from garbage from china? lesson learned i would expect. get OE parts for these trucks. that is what they came with and that is what they like. they cost more, but is the aggravation worth it when something happens because inferior parts were used? not to me it's not. not to mention, doing the job again.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
I didn't know Dorman even sold a complete LCA for the 4runner
On the other hand, a local parts house once told me MOOG was better quality than OEM - "just look at the zirc fittings!" he said "even the factory doesn't give you those"
Glad you're back on track, literally
On the other hand, a local parts house once told me MOOG was better quality than OEM - "just look at the zirc fittings!" he said "even the factory doesn't give you those"
Glad you're back on track, literally
rkymtnman
New member
We were in a pinch and needed a new LCA "right now". Went to NAPA and bought a replacement, installed it and have had zero issues thus far.
However, we are definitely anticipating issues and took the extra set of OEM LCAs we have and are having them rebushed for when this part jumps up to bite us. We'll swap them back in prior to our next alignment just for a piece of mind.
However, we are definitely anticipating issues and took the extra set of OEM LCAs we have and are having them rebushed for when this part jumps up to bite us. We'll swap them back in prior to our next alignment just for a piece of mind.
AnotherCO4Runner
Member
Moog Stabilizer Bar Links
I bought some Stabilizer Bar Links from Moog, I will see if I am disappointed or if them zirc fittings are as cool as they look.
I bought some Stabilizer Bar Links from Moog, I will see if I am disappointed or if them zirc fittings are as cool as they look.
BigFishAllDay
New member
Don't feel too bad [MENTION=58318]Johnnie[/MENTION] , I consider myself fairly savvy when it comes to 3rd gens and I made the same mistake... below is a quote from a post I made in the build thread for my '97 when I realized that the Dorman arms were crap. Unfortunately, the realization came AFTER they cost me a set of tires.
The big problem with the Dorman arms is the bushings. They are too soft and when they see road force, they allow the front wheels to toe out. They also allow for all kinds of janky motion in the arms while turning.
So, in trying to save a couple hundred dollars on new LCAs I cost myself almost $700 in tires.
My 2001 needs LCAs currently, and I have a brand new set of OEM arms from Toyota in the garage awaiting install. They cost me $380 but included new OEM bushings already pressed into the arms and will make for a trouble free, and WORRY FREE repair.
Original Dorman LCA install post (where I was still putting cost ahead of reliability) > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...runner-%93build-thread%94-13.html#post1322470
The big problem with the Dorman arms is the bushings. They are too soft and when they see road force, they allow the front wheels to toe out. They also allow for all kinds of janky motion in the arms while turning.
So, in trying to save a couple hundred dollars on new LCAs I cost myself almost $700 in tires.
My 2001 needs LCAs currently, and I have a brand new set of OEM arms from Toyota in the garage awaiting install. They cost me $380 but included new OEM bushings already pressed into the arms and will make for a trouble free, and WORRY FREE repair.
So.... this is a problem.
I've mentioned in other threads that the Dorman LCA's I installed last winter have horrible bushings that are extremely soft, allowing the control arms to deflect and cause the vehicle to go out of alignment while in motion. I've had this rig aligned three times since I installed the Dorman arms and here we are a year later, looking at front tires that are completely shot. These tires were nearly new when the Dorman arms went on the rig, and my last set gave me 60K+ miles of service. This inner tread bar on this set has been worn down nearly to the wear bars in under 10K miles.
Thanks for a crappy product, Dorman!
So, as it goes in life... some lessons must be learned the hard way. Don't go cheap when it comes to replacing your LCA bushings!
In the interest of fixing this problem, and getting my '97 back in tip top road-tripping condition... I picked up a set of these:
Original Dorman LCA install post (where I was still putting cost ahead of reliability) > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...runner-%93build-thread%94-13.html#post1322470
01thunder
New member
LittleCaesar
New member
Like EF Hutton, when BFAD talks, people should listen. Nothing Dorman should ever be used on any automobile, except my ex-wife's Tahoe. Then more the merrier.
I recently replaced a coil pack on a Subaru. The box from Napa was Echlin, but I could see where the Subaru sticker had been so better replacement parts are making their way back into auto parts stores.
I recently replaced a coil pack on a Subaru. The box from Napa was Echlin, but I could see where the Subaru sticker had been so better replacement parts are making their way back into auto parts stores.
mtbtim
Elite Member
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made a video of replacing the OEM LCA bushings on [MENTION=142071]sunsetrunner[/MENTION] rig with Whiteline poly bushings so I figured I'd post it here for you and others finding this thread. Be sure to read the video description for other info and helpful tips.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmaZNBp1gZM" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
BigFishAllDay
New member
I had no complaints. They completely resolved the issues the Dorman arms produced, and were indiscernible from OEM bushings in terms of ride quality, noise, deflection, etc. They install easily once the old bushings are removed and the sleeves on the arms are cleaned. I never ran any really hard trails in the '97, and although it saw lots of washboard roads, rocks, and articulation, the alignment never got knocked out due to the Whitelines. Also, they were completely quiet for the duration of time that I ran them, with no squeaks and no additional lubrication post install.
When choosing Whitelines versus OEM for the '01, the decision came down to time for me. I have two small children now and a lot less time to wrench, so I wanted a quick R&R rather than having to remove the old bushings and refurbish/paint the old arms. My time is worth more than the money I would have saved in this case.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, and I agree, never again Dorman.
Tim, while I understand you are looking for opportunities to promote your videos, you never seem to pay very close attention to my posts. So, I'll clarify... I installed those Whiteline bushings before YouTube videos were even a twinkle in your eye. The vehicle they were installed on was sold nearly two years ago. I've personally tackled nearly every procedure you've ever made a video about, save for the timing belt. That one will be of help to me. Thanks.
I'm sure your video will be helpful to less experienced members, though.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
[MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] I think Tim quoted your post in context to benefit the OP, not to suggest you need to watch his videos. :couch2:
Sgtausy
New member
I went in to AutoZone to get a new fan clutch and he said he could have a doorman there tomorrow and I started to laugh. He looked at me funny and said you must be on t4r and I was like I sure am. He said I wasn't going to let you buy it anyways Doorman Products are crap LOL. Needless to say I got an OEM for $10 more and free shipping on Amazon.
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mtbtim
Elite Member
Well, it wasn't clear to me you where talking about a vehicle you no longer own. I don't know what it is, but for some reason, I rub you the wrong way. First, it was the fact that I was mentioning you when discussing the rear axle seal job and you asked me to stop mentioning you. Now there's this comment. You make it sound like my sole purpose on this forum is to promote the videos [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I have made and it's all for our benefit. I can assure you the time Sean and I put into these videos is not just for our popularity and money we're making off advertisement revenue. We like to help people, plain and simple, at the cost of hundreds and hundreds of personal hours spent doing it. Think of the time it took you to do all your write-ups and multiply that by a factor of at least 100 and then you'll have an idea the time we've spent producing the videos for our channel. Maybe it bothers you that our contributions to this forum have surpassed your contributions. This isn't a popularity contest for us. We like to contribute just like you and many other good dudes on this forum. That's what makes this forum great.
That's great for the most part you don't need our help but lots of others do. It's like, how dare I try to help the great and knowledgeable BFAD. He knows all and I should just shut up. It's clear to me I need to steer clear of you on this forum so rest assured I won't respond to your posts ever again. There's plenty of people who appreciate what Sean and I are doing for the 3rd Gen community so I'll just mosey on down the trail and continue what I've been doing. Take it easy and lighten up.
opcorn:
BigFishAllDay
New member
Tim, if you'd like to talk numbers, lets do it...
Your TOTAL channel views... 689K for a total of 58 videos.
My threads... 944K for 5 write-ups.
It is clear that when people need help both of our contributions are being well used.
All of my write-ups were done back when I had the time to do them. I no longer have time, so they no longer get done. I never monetized mine or made money off of them, and I never promoted them the way you do. The fact that you do that so often leads me to believe that the profit has become part of it for you. We all know you make videos at this point, believe me, we get it.
As far as popularity, again lets talk facts. I have never liked a single post on this forum. I speak my mind as I see fit, and my posts are often critical. I try not to say anything if I can't say something nice, but sometimes I can't help myself. Popularity is not a big concern for me here.
It's not a matter of you helping me, it's a matter of you being so quick to post a link to your video that you often misread and misinterpret what I post, which I find mildly disrespectful. Combined with the constant linking of your videos in thread after thread, you have come to rub me the wrong way.
There, I said it.
Thanks again for the t-belt video, and as I have said before, keep up the good work on documenting your repairs for the benefit of the community.
BigFishAllDay
New member
One more point of clarification... the only reason I asked you to stop mentioning me in the rear axle seal threads is because there is/was another member who liked to troll those threads and argue with me about the superiority of their "alternate" method.
I just didn't want to argue with said member any more. It didn't have anything to do with you personally.
I just didn't want to argue with said member any more. It didn't have anything to do with you personally.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
I'm over here like
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mtbtim
Elite Member
You are obviously a much better person and contributor on this forum than I am. You win the popularity contest but it's not going to affect how I conduct myself on this forum. I will continue to do what I do and I think the large majority don't have a problem with me sharing helpful videos. The reason I post our videos when the chance presents itself is because somebody doing a Google search might come across my post and be stoked to find our video and our channel. I know there's got to be a huge number of people who wrench on their 3rd Gens that haven't discovered our channel yet. By posting our videos, there's better chance people will find our channel and benefit from our work.
The overwhelming response to our channel has been very positive and I'll let the positive feedback fuel my motivation to keep spending an enormous amount of my personal time making new videos with Sean. Happy Trails BFAD.
