Lower Control Arm Dilemma

[themuffinman619]

So, my front cam bolts are seized. I came across someone posting a link for a pair of new lower arms. But I cant seem to find the thread.
2007 Toyota 4Runner Front Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Pair at 1A Auto.com

If I were to rebuild my arms with new bolts, bushings, and ball joints, it would come out close to a new set from 1a Auto. My dilemma is, has anyone had any experience with such parts from 1a Auto.

One of the pluses of getting their arms is that they're pre assembled. I dont have to deal with removal and reinstall of bushings and ball joints.

 

[fdbyrne]

I know that you are asking for opinions about those particular LCA's, and I can't help you there. Just posting my experience because more options are always a good thing.

I bought the Moog LCA's from RockAuto and am happy with them. They did come with new bushings and ball joints and I mounted them on the Moog greasable cam bolts. I'm really happy with them.

With the new Moog's set right beside the old OEM control arms on the shop floor, you couldn't tell a difference. It's the same design. Everything is marked made in Japan (as opposed to China). They are good solid units.

 

[cmoua]

I was in similar dilemma and decided to rebuild OEM control arms with new bolts and bushings. Cost is almost the same as after market control arm. I've had bad experience with after market parts and prefer to use OEM.

Another cost you should take into consideration is the removal of the seized cam bolts. This could be end up being more than half of the over cost if you can't remove it yourself and end up taking to a shop to remove the seized parts.

My overall cost to replaced two sezied cam bolts end up around $500. I replaced with new OEM bushings and cam bolts, etc, .... After attempting to loosen the seized parts and unsuccessful, I end up letting a shop to remove the seized cam bolts and press in new bushings. Best of luck to you

 

[wyanrard]

So, my front cam bolts are seized. I came across someone posting a link for a pair of new lower arms. But I cant seem to find the thread.
2007 Toyota 4Runner Front Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Pair at 1A Auto.com

If I were to rebuild my arms with new bolts, bushings, and ball joints, it would come out close to a new set from 1a Auto. My dilemma is, has anyone had any experience with such parts from 1a Auto.

One of the pluses of getting their arms is that they're pre assembled. I dont have to deal with removal and reinstall of bushings and ball joints.

I used these, happy so far.

 

[themuffinman619]

Appreciate the feedback fellas. I will be doing the work myself. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is removal of the seized bolts. Hopefully I can break them free with the impact, heat, and some penetrating lube. If that fails, I'll have to bust out the sawzall and invest in some good blades. So, far, I'm leaning towards the complet arms from 1a Auto.

 

[themuffinman619]

I used these, happy so far.

Any issues with fitment?

 

[Beater]

^ I actually received mine this past Friday.

I went with the 1A Auto one's due to cost and with the intention of rebuilding my OEM LCA's myself. I also did not want to deal with any downtime while I rebuild.

I plan on installing mine sometime this week hopefully. (and I'm hoping I don't run into seized cam bolts).

 

[osphewr]

They did come with new bushings and ball joints and I mounted them on the Moog greasable cam bolts.

 

[wyanrard]

Any issues with fitment?

None at all, couldn't tell a difference at all with them side by side for the most part.

 

[KyleD]

Appreciate the feedback fellas. I will be doing the work myself. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is removal of the seized bolts. Hopefully I can break them free with the impact, heat, and some penetrating lube. If that fails, I'll have to bust out the sawzall and invest in some good blades. So, far, I'm leaning towards the complet arms from 1a Auto.

Good luck, sawzall won't cut them out. Trust me. You're gonna need a grinder and cutoff disks. It's a pretty sketchy spot, too.

 

[fdbyrne]

Good luck, sawzall won't cut them out. Trust me. You're gonna need a grinder and cutoff disks. It's a pretty sketchy spot, too.

I got mine cut off with a Sawzall. You need high quality blades and you'll go through at least 2 per side.

I tried to get it with an angle grinder and cutoff wheel but couldn't get a good angle.

 

[07V8]

Is replaced mine with new OEM arms because of frozen cams. Not worth the hassle of pressing bushings in.

 

[themuffinman619]

I got mine cut off with a Sawzall. You need high quality blades and you'll go through at least 2 per side.

I tried to get it with an angle grinder and cutoff wheel but couldn't get a good angle.

Yeah, I plan to stock up on some good blades just in case pb blaster and an iact doesn't work.

 

[Beater]

I gave it a go today with replacing my LCA's. Began on the driver side and ran into a frozen cam (surprising I know) on the front bolt! I manged to get everything back on and I now have replacement cams/bolts/hardware on order.

From what I can tell, I don't feel the 1A Auto's *look* like they are a "cheap" part. I'm certain they will be fine LCA's.

Pics of the 1A arms:

 

[t-man]

So, my front cam bolts are seized. I came across someone posting a link for a pair of new lower arms. But I cant seem to find the thread.
2007 Toyota 4Runner Front Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Pair at 1A Auto.com

If I were to rebuild my arms with new bolts, bushings, and ball joints, it would come out close to a new set from 1a Auto. My dilemma is, has anyone had any experience with such parts from 1a Auto.

One of the pluses of getting their arms is that they're pre assembled. I dont have to deal with removal and reinstall of bushings and ball joints.

Haven't been able to put them in yet but I just bought a whole kit off Ebay, was the same kit they had on RockAuto but cheaper. Here's the link to what I got. Everything seems good quality as far as I can tell. New bushings, ball joint installed in lca, new Inner and outer tie rod ends, new sway bar links, which you won't be using.
GX470 4Runner FJ Cruiser Control Arms Sway Bar Links Tie Rods $5 Years Warranty$ | eBay

 

[wyanrard]

Good luck, sawzall won't cut them out. Trust me. You're gonna need a grinder and cutoff disks. It's a pretty sketchy spot, too.

Yeah, I had no problems with a sawzall as well. Just used good blades. Heck, it was even a battery powered sawzall.

 

[t-man]

I also bought new cam bolts from Wheelers Offroad. I don't think mine are seized, but I figured if I'm replacing everything else I should just replace those too.

 

[KyleD]

I also bought new cam bolts from Wheelers Offroad. I don't think mine are seized, but I figured if I'm replacing everything else I should just replace those too.

If they're not seized, don't replace them. Especially if you have the OE ones. Just anti-sieze them.

 

[t-man]

Why's that? My thought was if I'm replacing everything else and I have to get an alignment anyways I might as well do these too, anti seize them, then not worry about it. Is there a reason to not change them?

 

[fdbyrne]

My opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that the Moog cam bolts are a better design. They are stout and they are greaseable. Greaseable is almost always going to be an improvement.