POLL: Have you had your LCA nut/bolt loosen up?

[Mr R2FJ]

505FJ previously said:

These ones:

thanks!

[BMThiker]

TrAiLbUs1 previously said:

Just changed out my bushings and they looked fine a little warn but not much..I need to go articulate to see if it still clunks. I swear its the upper links the johnny joint hitting metal every time it rotates..I hate clunking while wheeling

jeshua previously said:

Rick my friend that is not good man. If its moving that mean the hole is no longer a round hole but oblong/oval. My guess is that you will have to have the stock mount cut off and a new mount fabbed up then welded on. The hole should be about the same size as the bolt. With it like this the axle is not aligned and is moving back and forth during braking and acceleration and will cause the FJ to handle very pour.

I wonder how that happened though man, at first I though you had a shiny new washer under the other washer. Is it just the one side?

Yes, it turned out that I have an oblong bolt hole. Problem solved. No need for a cotter pin either...The solution is really very simple. Read on friends.
[Cross-posting here, most of this post can be found in the SE section]

Fast forward to last week and I notice I've got this serious "CLUNK" in my rear axle. I posted about it in another thread, but it didn't garner much attention. See post #50: POLL: Have you had your LCA nut/bolt loosen up? - Page 5 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
I climbed under and see that the bolt seems to be sliding back in forth in the rear control arm bracket. Hmmmph! I am supposed to go wheeling this coming weekend and now I'm not sure if things are safe for even daily driving.

And sure enough, the bolt has reamed out the hole in the bottom bracket. We discuss the options and decide the most solid solution would be to reinforce the bracket hole with some grade 8 washers. Brian grabs his MIG welder and centers the washer on the outer side then lines the bolt up inside the bracket and welds the flange nut on the inside of the bracket. They go ahead and do both sides of the axle just to prevent it from happening on the passenger side too. PERFECT! No clunking and it feels like it should when I hit the gas, solid.
Oblong hole with about 1/4" of slop

washer actually left impression in the bracket

New Grade 8 washer welded in place

Stock flange nut welded in place

These guys did a great job and were very quick too (about 30 minutes). You really need to look these guys up and give them some business because they've been wheeling and working in the 4 x 4 community for a long time (for someone else up til now) and now they are running their own shop. These guys know Toyotas inside and out and are familiar with the FJ's drive train and suspension. Don't let their name fool you, they can do your 25K or 35K interval maintenance too. These guys are far more knowledgeable than the dealership dudes I've run across (The last time I was at the dealership, they actually screwed up an oil change and I lost about a quart of oil by the time I got home.)
Atlanta Custom Creations 404-508-4800 Atlanta Custom Creations :: Land Cruiser & Toyota Trucks/SUVs :: Maintenance, Expedition Builds, Restorations
I'll be going back in a couple weeks to finish off my original project, to reinforce my skid situation.

[Toledo FJ]

I like those red wheels!

[DEWFPO]

Great solution. Those brackets look a little to soft for the job they are asked to do.

DEWFPO

[SkyKing]

Mr R2FJ previously said:

Well ace hardware sells grade 8 nylon lock nuts in this size. I have to imagine anything at this size is meant to take a pretty good beating in grade 8?

I have used them on the trans. of all of my Harley's, never hear or have had any problems with them. Lots of problems without them...