Suggestions / Warnings About Aftermarket Control Arms

[fdbyrne]

It looks like I need new ball joints. I've read up on the procedure for pressing the old ones out and pressing the new ones in. I have all the tools and other than it being a PITA, I'm sure I could get it done. My question is whether or not it's worth it?

It looks like decent Moog ball joints run about $25 each. I was thinking of replacing the control arm bushings while I'm in there. My truck is a 2004 with 125k miles and it's spent most of it's life up north so there is some rust under there and the bushings don't look so good.

Adding up the costs for ball joints and control arm bushings all the way around it's really not a whole lot more to just replace the control arms with aftermarket ones that come with ball joints and bushings.

I guess my question is this. Are the OEM control arms of such superior quality that it would be best to keep them and just replace anything that touches them or should I just go ahead with an aftermarket set of control arms? I see multiple options for aftermarket control arms. Which ones are good and which ones are crap?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Is your 4runner lifted? If so, then I would go with aftermarket control arms. Even though there is a lot of hate towards the SPC arms, I've had good luck with them on my 4th gen. I have Camburgs with BJs on my 5th gen. The build quality looks good but they don't seem to have any additional caster built into them like advertised.

 

[fdbyrne]

Good question. No, my truck isn't lifted. It's a completely bone stock 2004 SR5 4x4 V6 that I just picked up. Other than replacing the front shocks with Monroe Quick Struts and replacing the driver side CV shaft, I've not done anything to it.

 

[gm350reratliff]

From a quick search, looks like you can get complete Moog UCAs for $167 per side. There are some cheaper options as well for as low as $105 per side. I know the SPC arms are about $400 for the pair. Any of the other aftermarket arms ( Camburg, Icon, TC) are at at least $500 a pair.

If you have no plans on lifting, I'd just go with the complete Moog UCAs.

 

[fdbyrne]

I don't plan on ever lifting it. I'd like to keep it as stock as possible.

 

[gm350reratliff]

In that case, I'd just go for the Moog replacement UCAs with the BJs already installed. Not sure how much an OEM pair would cost.

 

[Cisco Kid]

I have Camburgs with BJs on my 5th gen. The build quality looks good but they don't seem to have any additional caster built into them like advertised.

When you got an alignment after installing those arms, where did you end up on the caster settings? Was it maxed out? I was planning to get a set of those Camburg's but if they aren't going to give me any more caster, it won't be worth the $400+. I'm not looking to go with uniball arms either since I don't need the added travel or increased maintenance.

 

[gm350reratliff]

When you got an alignment after installing those arms, where did you end up on the caster settings? Was it maxed out? I was planning to get a set of those Camburg's but if they aren't going to give me any more caster, it won't be worth the $400+. I'm not looking to go with uniball arms either since I don't need the added travel or increased maintenance.

I could get 4° out of the left side but only 2.3° out of the right side so both sides ended up at 2.3° of caster and yes, that is maxed out while still keeping camber at an ideal angle. My 5th gen drives perfect though. In fact it drives better than my 4th gen that has 4° of caster.

 

[Cisco Kid]

I could get 4° out of the left side but only 2.3° out of the right side so both sides ended up at 2.3° of caster and yes, that is maxed out while still keeping camber at an ideal angle. My 5th gen drives perfect though. In fact it drives better than my 4th gen that has 4° of caster.

Mine is currently at 2.7 on both sides and is maxed out. I would like to see at least 3.5 degrees on both sides but now I am having some doubts about whether the Camburg's will get me to that spec. You are not the first person that has posted about those particular arms not giving much of a change in caster.