Need help in Denver

[eddie_93]

Hi guys,

I need some help in the Denver area if possible (I live in Wisconsin). I just found out the right front camber adjustment plate in the 4runner I bought is spot welded and I need it cut out and a new one welded in so I can get the alignment perfect. Is this anything anyone here is capable of? Or is this a body shop only deal? My camber is pretty out of whack and I don't really want to drive back to WI like this.



I know I know, it was my fault for not noticing it earlier. Please PM me if you can help.

 

[JayRolla]

You would rather just cut it out and install a used control arm with new cam bolts.

 

[eddie_93]

You would rather just cut it out and install a used control arm with new cam bolts.

Thanks. This is kind of out of my wheelhouse, I'm just going by what the guy at Firestone told me. I just don't want to drive all the way back to Wisconsin like this.

 

[atalarico]

I'm in Denver but afraid that's a bit outside of the tools and know how I have.

How soon do you have to drive back to Wisconsin? A few things to consider;
1.) Parts departments and junk yards (yota yard is in Denver!) have rather limited hours on Sunday's. It might be tough to manage getting it all done today if that's what you need to do.

2.) I've been in a time sensitive bind before and posted for help here. Unfortunately I couldn't wait much longer for my issue, but about an hour after I decided I couldn't wait, I got a cascade of offers. So, if you have some time to sit tight, I'd do that and see what happens.

3.) If there isn't a member who can lend a hand, consider one of the many Yota shops around in Denver. I like comprehensive car care on Evans. Affordable Toyota and Lexus Repair (ATLR) is good too over on the west side of town.

Side note, why would someone spot weld that?

 

[eddie_93]

I'm in Denver but afraid that's a bit outside of the tools and know how I have.

How soon do you have to drive back to Wisconsin? A few things to consider;
1.) Parts departments and junk yards (yota yard is in Denver!) have rather limited hours on Sunday's. It might be tough to manage getting it all done today if that's what you need to do.

2.) I've been in a time sensitive bind before and posted for help here. Unfortunately I couldn't wait much longer for my issue, but about an hour after I decided I couldn't wait, I got a cascade of offers. So, if you have some time to sit tight, I'd do that and see what happens.

3.) If there isn't a member who can lend a hand, consider one of the many Yota shops around in Denver. I like comprehensive car care on Evans. Affordable Toyota and Lexus Repair (ATLR) is good too over on the west side of town.

Side note, why would someone spot weld that?

Hey atalarico! Thanks for the response. I don't need to get it done today, but I don't want to be stuck in Denver forever! Ha! I do have some time to sit tight. I probably could drive back to WI as is but I'd like to get it fixed out here if possible. Thanks for the shop recommendations!

 

[eddie_93]

Does anyone know if I could get away with grinding down that current mess and just installing a new camber bolt set? Is it fine to drive as is? (Aside from likely wearing my tires unevenly)

 

[alumarine]

Does anyone know if I could get away with grinding down that current mess and just installing a new camber bolt set? Is it fine to drive as is? (Aside from likely wearing my tires unevenly)

If it feels good to you when you're driving it I'd go for it if you're not worried about your tire.

Has it been wearing oddly?

 

[eddie_93]

If it feels good to you when you're driving it I'd go for it if you're not worried about your tire.

Has it been wearing oddly?

It feels OK but not great. Unsure on the odd wear, a new (very used) set of wheels and tires were just swapped on from an 08 4runner.

 

[kindred4x]

That pic blows my mind! Why would someone do that? That is crazy! Where is the eccentric cam, and why did they get rid of it? Maybe they did not install a new one and the bolt kept on coming loose because i think the cam works like a washer also, so they said... i can fix this! and welded it? crazy......

But you might be able to grind it all off, then have new factory bolts and cams installed, aligned and headed home.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Does anyone know if I could get away with grinding down that current mess and just installing a new camber bolt set? Is it fine to drive as is? (Aside from likely wearing my tires unevenly)

I don't know why you couldn't do that.

However, be aware that to remove the rear cam bolt you'll have to undo all the nuts/bolts on the steering rack to be able to pull it far enough out of the way for the bolt to clear.

If it's just the front one that they decided to ruin you may be fine with just undoing it and putting a new one on.

 

[eddie_93]

That pic blows my mind! Why would someone do that? That is crazy! Where is the eccentric cam, and why did they get rid of it? Maybe they did not install a new one and the bolt kept on coming loose because i think the cam works like a washer also, so they said... i can fix this! and welded it? crazy......

But you might be able to grind it all off, then have new factory bolts and cams installed, aligned and headed home.

Thanks man. I'm going to head to some shops tomorrow and see what they can do.

 

[eddie_93]

I don't know why you couldn't do that.

However, be aware that to remove the rear cam bolt you'll have to undo all the nuts/bolts on the steering rack to be able to pull it far enough out of the way for the bolt to clear.

If it's just the front one that they decided to ruin you may be fine with just undoing it and putting a new one on.

Thanks. Hopefully it is as easy as that.

 

[JayRolla]

I don't know why you couldn't do that.

However, be aware that to remove the rear cam bolt you'll have to undo all the nuts/bolts on the steering rack to be able to pull it far enough out of the way for the bolt to clear.

If it's just the front one that they decided to ruin you may be fine with just undoing it and putting a new one on.

Or just cut the bolt. Comes right out. Lol.

To the OP. Camber and toe directly affect tire wear. Caster just moves the tire forward and back. It's kind of normal for them to seize up. Not a huge deal if toe and camber are good.

 

[eddie_93]

Or just cut the bolt. Comes right out. Lol.

To the OP. Camber and toe directly affect tire wear. Caster just moves the tire forward and back. It's kind of normal for them to seize up. Not a huge deal if toe and camber are good.

Thanks man. Pretty much know nothing about this stuff other than what I read here! I got a new set of bolts on order from O'Reillys that are coming in today, going to see if I can find a shop to fix me up.

 

[D Farms]

I would get new alignment tab plates. grind the old one off completely and weld the new one on. you can get aftermarket ones from total chaos.

I hit a fisher that swallowed my 35 at speed once and it moved the cam bolts over and flattened the alignment tabs just like in the picture. looks like some booger welder got in there and chowdered it all up though, not the way I would have done it obviously.

 

[csp]

What part of the Denver area are you in?

 

[eddie_93]

What part of the Denver area are you in?

Hey man, thanks for responding. I ended up just driving back home to WI where I'll figure out a fix here. Just thought I might be able to pick the brains of some Toyota guys out in Denver.

I'm started a new thread here for the issue for future reference/confirmation on how to repair.