HELP: lower Control Arm Adjuster Plate Sheered

[CrazySte]

Hello,
I just went to do the alignment on my TRD Pro and they were unable to fully adjust the Driver Side.

The reason for it is that the Driver Side, Lower Control Arm Adjuster is messed up.

Specifically: the Adjuster Bolt and related Eccentric Washer are OK.

But the Plate against which the Eccentric presses against to do the adjustment is sheered and doesn't offer any resistance.

Does anyone know the Toyota Part # for the Plate?

See attacched Pictures to better understand issue.

Thank's for any insight

 

[CrazySte]

Well...,
i guess i am the first one to have this problem in the Forum because nobody answered, but upon researching this issue OnLine, i found hundreds of Pictures just like the ones i posted, so it seems to be a very common problem on all 4 Runner TRD, as well as Tacoma and apparently also FJ Cruisers.

Toyota does not sell the Gusset Plate as a spare part, if you want to order it, Toyota sells you a whole Lower Control Arm with a Plate already mounted on it, and it is kinda silly to spend $300 to replace what in reality is just a little Metal Plate with bent edges.

WELL THERE IS A SOLUTION

On the TOYTEC Site i found these:

" https://www.toyteclifts.com/59860-10fj-total-chaos-lower-control-arm-cam-tab-gussets.html "

They are made by Total Chaos and they require tac welding to secure em in place where the original Gusset Plate was.

I hope this can be helpful to other users in the future
CIAO

 

[Xhado]

Buying a new LCA won't work, the alignment cam tabs are welded to the frame.

The TC tabs are great, the only issue is that the install requires you to remove the LCA in order to weld them to the frame. This makes the whole process labor intensive.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

That is really a strange thing to have happen. It looks like someone put a grinder to it. You MIGHT be able to get a good welder to put a quick fix on it. The TC tabs are good but are 3 pieces that need to be welded together, then welded to your frame. Xhado is right you have to remove the LCA to weld the tabs to the frame.

 

[CrazySte]

That is really a strange thing to have happen...

Not really...
do a quick search OnLine and you will find out that this is a very Common Issue on all 4Runner TRD and Tacoma TRD.

The guy i took the Car to, does a lot of these types of Weldings, and he was working on a Tacoma where 2 of the Tabs got sheered.

So really: nothing that extraordinary apparently;

sadly Toyota won't fix this design with something better than those stupidly folded sheet metal plates

Anyway: they are replacing the 2 Front Tabs right now.

I'll keep you guys posted
CIAO

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Not really...
do a quick search OnLine and you will find out that this is a very Common Issue on all 4Runner TRD and Tacoma TRD.

The guy i took the Car to, does a lot of these types of Weldings, and he was working on a Tacoma where 2 of the Tabs got sheered.

So really: nothing that extraordinary apparently;

sadly Toyota won't fix this design with something better than those stupidly folded sheet metal plates

Anyway: they are replacing the 2 Front Tabs right now.

I'll keep you guys posted
CIAO

Hope that cures your alignment issues. I can understand the tabs getting bent and damaged from rocks and stumps, but that pic looks like the damage has circular rings from a grinder. Thanks for updates and good luck! EDIT: I guess if the cams are loose they would cause that kind of damage when the control arm cycles. Just never seen it before, but in Fla we have sand, mud, and more mud. Very few rocks, maybe a few stumps.

 

[Drunner97]

Hope that cures your alignment issues. I can understand the tabs getting bent and damaged from rocks and stumps, but that pic looks like the damage has circular rings from a grinder. Thanks for updates and good luck! EDIT: I guess if the cams are loose they would cause that kind of damage when the control arm cycles. Just never seen it before, but in Fla we have sand, mud, and more mud. Very few rocks, maybe a few stumps.

If the LCA bolt is loose the cam can move enough to make it look like it's sheared. If you look at the picture close enough, it just looks like it's super flat and not actually sheared off. I flattened mine on the driver side because my LCA bolt came loose during a 2 day trip in the desert. Thought I just knocked my alignment off because I hit a couple hard dips but when we hit pavement it was obvious something wasn't right. Ended up getting the TC cam tabs welded on, haven't had an issue since.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

If the LCA bolt is loose the cam can move enough to make it look like it's sheared. If you look at the picture close enough, it just looks like it's super flat and not actually sheared off. I flattened mine on the driver side because my LCA bolt came loose during a 2 day trip in the desert. Thought I just knocked my alignment off because I hit a couple hard dips but when we hit pavement it was obvious something wasn't right. Ended up getting the TC cam tabs welded on, haven't had an issue since.

X2 on the TC gussets. Just had them welded on my current 4th gen project.