PSA: Change your LCA Bushings NOW!!

[absalom]

Forgive me, as I'm very excited right now, but I wanted to share my story. I always thought my factory OEM LCA bushings were fine. Took it to get aligned after a particularly punishing weekend in Mexico, and the tech says they're shot. So, I throw in some Energy poly bushings I had laying around, and VOILA ... brand new friggin truck.

Per dollar, this is the absolute best mod I've made to my truck. The install is a PITA, but I'm here to help all those to attempt it next! Don't delay, throw poly bushings in your LCA's TODAY!

 

[JayRolla]

Forgive me, as I'm very excited right now, but I wanted to share my story. I always thought my factory OEM LCA bushings were fine. Took it to get aligned after a particularly punishing weekend in Mexico, and the tech says they're shot. So, I throw in some Energy poly bushings I had laying around, and VOILA ... brand new friggin truck.

Per dollar, this is the absolute best mod I've made to my truck. The install is a PITA, but I'm here to help all those to attempt it next! Don't delay, throw poly bushings in your LCA's TODAY!

LOL, yes I have found this is my pull hard left when braking. I cant find the time, but when I do they are coming out!!!!

What part# bushings did you order??

 

[BrianSD_42]

It's on my to do list

 

[absalom]

LOL, yes I have found this is my pull hard left when braking. I cant find the time, but when I do they are coming out!!!!

What part# bushings did you order??

Great question! A whopping $41 for upper and lower bushings.

It's on my to do list

It was on my to-do list for 7 months. I only wish I "to-do'd" it earlier!

 

[Unner]

How long did it take you to do? Any special tools needed like a press?

Also, what are the symptoms for bad bushings?

 

[T4R2014]

On my to-do list as well. The poly bushings worry me. I don't want to sound like I'm driving a squeaky POS over these awful NY/NJ roads.

 

[MONTYMTB]

VOILA ... brand new friggin truck.

Can you elaborate?

 

[absalom]

How long did it take you to do? Any special tools needed like a press?

Also, what are the symptoms for bad bushings?

About two evenings of 4 hours each. No need for a press, but you will want a butt-load of MAP gas and a torch to NOT burn out the old bushings. I also DON'T recommend burning the rubber off the old shafts in a small bonfire in your front yard. But seriously, don't inhale the fumes or you gon' get high. Oh, also a pickle fork - $10 from Autozone.

On my to-do list as well. The poly bushings worry me. I don't want to sound like I'm driving a squeaky POS over these awful NY/NJ roads.

My friend tells me "marine grease" from Evinrude will prevent squeaking.

Can you elaborate?

I can elaborate; my truck contstantly wandered over imperfections in the pavement. I'd be nervous to hit cracks, bumps, etc for fear that I'd merge into the adjacent lane. Post bushing install, the truck feels incredibly taut. Exactly like that feeling you get when you drive a new car, and there is zero playing in the steering, and the car has an almost telepathic like link with the driver. I should mention, that literally every other component in my front end in less than 3 months old. This was just the last weak link, but boy, what a difference.

 

[T4R2014]

My friend tells me "marine grease" from Evinrude will prevent squeaking.

How often? IMO rubber seems more convenient. It's not like switching everything over to poly will turn a 4Runner into a Lotus.

 

[absalom]

How often? IMO rubber seems more convenient. It's not like switching everything over to poly will turn a 4Runner into a Lotus.

I completely agree, at the end of the day, it's just a big ol' truck. But, I for one, will not tolerate IFS issues. I think the message of this thread should be replace your factory LCA bushings with either OEM rubber or poly ... when I first joined this forum, the consensus seemed to be that the LCA bushings didn't wear out. But lately, I'm noticing more and more cases of destroyed LCA bushings. To the point that I'd recommend it as part of a trucks initial service, right there with new LBJ's, new rack bushings, etc. Regarding the frequency of the greasing, just at install, unless your a masochist who derives pleasure from R&R'ing bushings.

For those in Phx and on the fence, drive mine real quick and you'll notice the difference.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I completely agree, at the end of the day, it's just a big ol' truck. But, I for one, will not tolerate IFS issues. I think the message of this thread should be replace your factory LCA bushings with either OEM rubber or poly ... when I first joined this forum, the consensus seemed to be that the LCA bushings didn't wear out. But lately, I'm noticing more and more cases of destroyed LCA bushings. To the point that I'd recommend it as part of a trucks initial service, right there with new LBJ's, new rack bushings, etc. Regarding the frequency of the greasing, just at install, unless your a masochist who derives pleasure from R&R'ing bushings.

For those in Phx and on the fence, drive mine real quick and you'll notice the difference.

I have no doubt you are correct in your advice. I have a hard pull left when braking and I have always suspected the LCA bushings. I just wonder if this is a job I want to tackle myself, without access to special tools/press/welder/etc. I do have little propane torches for pipe soldering.

 

[T4R2014]

I completely agree, at the end of the day, it's just a big ol' truck. But, I for one, will not tolerate IFS issues. I think the message of this thread should be replace your factory LCA bushings with either OEM rubber or poly ... when I first joined this forum, the consensus seemed to be that the LCA bushings didn't wear out. But lately, I'm noticing more and more cases of destroyed LCA bushings. To the point that I'd recommend it as part of a trucks initial service, right there with new LBJ's, new rack bushings, etc. Regarding the frequency of the greasing, just at install, unless your a masochist who derives pleasure from R&R'ing bushings.

For those in Phx and on the fence, drive mine real quick and you'll notice the difference.

Same here. Can't stand any suspension issues in general IMO. Whoever said these bushings don't wear doesn't know sh!t. No such thing as a lifetime bushing, especially when you decide to throw on a lift and/or off road often. Driving on the Harlem River Drive daily will wear out any suspension bushings in no time, I know.

 

[absalom]

I have no doubt you are correct in your advice. I have a hard pull left when braking and I have always suspected the LCA bushings. I just wonder if this is a job I want to tackle myself, without access to special tools/press/welder/etc. I do have little propane torches for pipe soldering.

Well, you're in luck as all I needed was a little propane torch and a pickle fork. The rest is just basic hand tools and beer...lots of beer. This is what you want.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

[MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION], here are the bushing kits I have in my garage right now...
8.7104G Track Arm
8.3107G Rear Control Arm
8.3108G Front Control Arm

I bought all of them used, from a guy who was going to install them on his 3rd gen and then sold it.

You recommended part number 8.3115G. Is the kit you recommend the same as 8.3108G with the added metal bushings/washers? Will my kit work when I take the front end apart and try to re-use the existing metal bushings/washers?

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Well, you're in luck as all I needed was a little propane torch and a pickle fork. The rest is just basic hand tools and beer...lots of beer. This is what you want.

Thanks!
I have the standard 14oz propane tanks, and I have several. Won't those work for the job here, or do you highly recommend I go out and get the MAP?

*Edit: Reminder to myself - Get more beer.

 

[absalom]

[MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION], here are the bushing kits I have in my garage right now...
8.7104G Track Arm
8.3107G Rear Control Arm
8.3108G Front Control Arm

I bought all of them used, from a guy who was going to install them on his 3rd gen and then sold it.

You recommended part number 8.3115G. Is the kit you recommend the same as 8.3108G with the added metal bushings/washers? Will my kit work when I take the front end apart and try to re-use the existing metal bushings/washers?

It looks like the two on the left are the same, but I wonder if they include two more in the box or if it's simply a 1 kit per side deal. Then again, I could be looking at the picture wrong.

 

[JayRolla]

Great question! A whopping $41 for upper and lower bushings.

It was on my to-do list for 7 months. I only wish I "to-do'd" it earlier!

Man was hoping you had found a LCA kit for half the price. Good stuff!

 

[JayRolla]

How often? IMO rubber seems more convenient. It's not like switching everything over to poly will turn a 4Runner into a Lotus.

Poly does not wear out. WHen you offroad a lot the rubber tends to wear out quicker since its always being pushed to the max.

I had every rubber part on my Talon in Poly, motor mounts and all. Never heard a squeak. You need to grease them prior to install.

 

[JayRolla]

I have no doubt you are correct in your advice. I have a hard pull left when braking and I have always suspected the LCA bushings. I just wonder if this is a job I want to tackle myself, without access to special tools/press/welder/etc. I do have little propane torches for pipe soldering.

You dont need to torch them out, this works pretty well. I have used this method on other cars. Stole this cool picture from another member that posted the other day.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

You dont need to torch them out, this works pretty well. I have used this method on other cars. Stole this cool picture from another member that posted the other day.

Excellent advice. Thanks for posting this!