Alright here is something you guys may appreciate.
Quite a few threads have been posted already about people having their VSC Track and Off light on for various reason.
Here is a new one.
Last week end I was wheeling with other FJ'ers and got stuck in really deep sticky mud. It took 2 other FJ's to pull me out. After gettinbg out and disengaging my 4x4, I noticed that the 2 VSC lights and the "slipping car" lights were on. So first I thought, ok my under chassis is glazed with mud and maybe that messes up the sensors. Rode back home, took the wheels and all the skid plates out and started cleaning. After 4 hours of that, I ended up with 2 wheel barrels of dirt I scooped off my drive way. Lights wer still on.
Did several other checks but nothing. So I decided to sleep on it and if I can not come up with anything, to the dealership I would go to see what is going on.
2 Days later I decided to go under the car again to check for loose connectors or broken wires and there I noticed that my lower left rear control arm, which keeps the axle tied up to the chassi was bent pretty badly. And sure enough, after a close look, I can see that my axle is a little crooked.
I checked with the dealership for a new arm, cost $180. I check online and found much stronger ones for $300 for the pair at Man-o-free.
Of course I need my car, those things need to be ordered, and so I figure I was going to take the bent one out and try to straighten it and reinforce it while I am waiting for the new ones.
2 hours later, I put it back in, test drove, and the darn lights were off!!!
Found out that the computer is sensitive enough for your balancing and traction system that it knew my axle was crooked. How about that.
So here are some pics of what it was and what I have done:
1 - The problem
2 - The control arm
3 - The solution (2x2x1/4 thick steel angle welded in several places)
4 - Finished and painted:
5 - INstalled and voila:
Of course I did the other side as well after this.
Maybe not as good looking then the Man-o-free ones, but they sure did not cost me $300.
And yes, getting those either reinforced or replaced with stronger ones is highly recommended since the stock ones are really thin and super week.
