What is this attached to my rear lower control arm?

[jsnppp]

I am replacing my rear lower control arms with ones I pulled from a local yard. A '99. My 3rd gen is a 2002 4WD SR5.

The odd thing is that these have this triangular wedge metal welded to one end.

These aren't on my originals nor can I find a photo of another like it. They look well done and original.

Any ideas? The only way they seem to be able to be mounted is how I have it..

Thanks in advance..!

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

I have the triangular wedge on the control arms on my 97 4Runner. The wedge faces up and goes inside the front bracket. That's weird that your control arms don't have the wedge but hopefully someone with a 2002 will chime in.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

the stock Toyota rear LCA does not have the triangular attachment.

 

[T4R2014]

the stock Toyota rear LCA does not have the triangular attachment.

I can verify my 1998 had this from factory. My two 1996s do not. Seems like it was added at some point, then removed. 1996 uses a different style bushing, but I do not think the change relates to that.

The rear axle I pulled from a 2002 did not have these attachments as well.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

i stand corrected then.
there are 4 different part numbers for the rear LCA:

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I can verify my 1998 had this from factory. My two 1996s do not. Seems like it was added at some point, then removed. 1996 uses a different style bushing, but I do not think the change relates to that.

The rear axle I pulled from a 2002 did not have these attachments as well.

 

[jsnppp]

I have the triangular wedge on the control arms on my 97 4Runner. The wedge faces up and goes inside the front bracket. That's weird that your control arms don't have the wedge but hopefully someone with a 2002 will chime in.

Thanks folks, very helpful. And greatly appreciate the installation orientation advice too, I'll install it the same way..

It may have been a '98 that I pulled it from, thought it was a '99..

~Jason

 

[Sarki]

I can confirm my 02 did not that that affixed to the rear control arms.
Recently completed replacing all bushings in my original rear upper & lower control arms and they did not have that affixed to either end.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The 96 and both 97’s had them.


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[Devbot]

Huh, super strange, I've never seen this difference between years before. I'm curious what the hell it's purpose is, as I can't see it doing anything besides possibly getting in the way

 

[D'arce]

The 96 and both 97’s had them.


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My 96 does not have the wedge.

 

[St Runner]

My 97 had the wedge but my 2001 did not. They are different bushings so you need to check that if you are going to replace the bushings. I am pretty sure I checked the lengths and they were close to the same but I kept the wedge ones on my 97 and the ones without on my 2001. Its possible they changed the length for the lowered suspension starting in 2000

 

[jkeith.w]

My 96 does not have the wedge.

same here

 

[19963.4lsr5]

My 96 does not have the wedge.

Have you owned it since new?


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[jsnppp]

Length of the wedge control arms are the same as the non wedge originals from my 2002.

Also, the poly bushings I bought (not realizing there may be a difference) fit great. Suspension techniques.

I'll do a careful measurement but I'm thinking they are the same other than the wedge. Not sure what the wedge is for, especially if pointed up into the front LCA bracket. My initial though was some sort of rock guard.

~Jason

 

[jkeith.w]

Length of the wedge control arms are the same as the non wedge originals from my 2002.

Also, the poly bushings I bought (not realizing there may be a difference) fit great. Suspension techniques.

I'll do a careful measurement but I'm thinking they are the same other than the wedge. Not sure what the wedge is for, especially if pointed up into the front LCA bracket. My initial though was some sort of rock guard.

~Jason

I bet it has something to do with crash safety? to keep the axle from entering the rear seat area of the cabin, maybe?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I bet it has something to do with crash safety? to keep the axle from entering the rear seat area of the cabin, maybe?

I think it has something to do with limiting travel…….


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[jkeith.w]

I think it has something to do with limiting travel…….


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ooh, possibly - does it contact the frame at droop?

 

[jsnppp]

ooh, possibly - does it contact the frame at droop?

I don't see it contact the frame nor the lower control arm bracket. It's close but doesn't touch.

I'll grab a photo.

 

[brillo_76]

I suspect they were limiters either fully extended or fully bottomed out. My 5 speed 1997 has them as well. I don't think any others do though in my fleet.

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[T4R2014]

Its possible they changed the length for the lowered suspension starting in 2000

I believe all LCAs are the same length, but I guess we won't know without measuring. I can tell you that 2WD upper links are about an inch shorter than 4WD.