Lower Control Arm is stuck

[VDM]

Ok, so last weekend I put on my new skids and noticed a loose bolt on the right front control arm. Took it in for o/c and rotation and pointed out the bolt that had been loose. Guess what...........the "ear" inside my frame that connects to this c/a has disintegrated. No fix for that. The front connection of the control arm is stuck and they can't seem to break it loose. They beat the schit out of it today and it won't break loose. It goes back to Toyota on Monday. Meanwhile, the guys will be brainstorming trying to figure this out. They said it is something that just never happens! My service guy actually said "your truck beat my ass today". Normally that comment from a man would make me giggle but I'm guessing it's not good coming from the service dept.

They're going to work on breaking it loose again on Monday. If it doesn't work, they'll have to disassemble to get the c/a out.

This has been the cause of my bad rub. The right front tire is sitting considerably further back than the left. So the caster is way off. The camber is way off. The toe (sp) is way off. They said it's not anything I did , it's just some freaky thing. I will not miss the Harlan ride even if it does cost me a tire to get there and back!

Any thoughts, suggestions?

[rotorhed1]

Don't know what to say, that really biltes.

Let us know how this turns out.

[VDM]

I just found out that Matt had the same problem when putting on his lift. Sounds like there is a hydraulic hammer and some heat in my near future.

[FloJo]

This is interesting. i hope you get this figured out! can you post a pic of the location? i assume you are referring to the bolt that also has the camber adjustment cam for the passenger side LCA? i am having a hard time finding a shop who is willing to mess with those essentrics so i can get my alignment dialed in for a reasonable price. i never thought it would be so hard to find a shop to do this. so far i have gone to 3 shops and they all stop once they get toe within spec. one shop can't even do the camber and caster adjustments because he can't get his equipment to fit my TRD wheels. one shop will adjust the essentrics, but they want $196!!! i really hope my LCA bolts don't end up having your problem because my driver's side camber plate is way out of range. good luck and keep us posted.

[VDM]

Yes, that is the correct bolt. I've got a good friend in the local Toyota service dept. He's very anal and won't stop til it's right and the cost will be minimal if any.

I have to admit, the truck is kinda cool looking with all the flippers on it when it's hooked up to the machine. I'm thinking they might make a good mod for our next obx outing.

[FloJo]

VDM previously said:

Yes, that is the correct bolt. I've got a good friend in the local Toyota service dept. He's very anal and won't stop til it's right and the cost will be minimal if any.

I have to admit, the truck is kinda cool looking with all the flippers on it when it's hooked up to the machine. I'm thinking they might make a good mod for our next obx outing.

i might need to make a little day trip to greenville and let him play around with my camber adjustments.

[VDM]

He's good at what he does and I don't really trust any of the other mechanics with my truck.

[stringmachine]

FloJo previously said:

This is interesting. i hope you get this figured out! can you post a pic of the location? i assume you are referring to the bolt that also has the camber adjustment cam for the passenger side LCA? i am having a hard time finding a shop who is willing to mess with those essentrics so i can get my alignment dialed in for a reasonable price. i never thought it would be so hard to find a shop to do this. so far i have gone to 3 shops and they all stop once they get toe within spec. one shop can't even do the camber and caster adjustments because he can't get his equipment to fit my TRD wheels. one shop will adjust the essentrics, but they want $196!!! i really hope my LCA bolts don't end up having your problem because my driver's side camber plate is way out of range. good luck and keep us posted.

my local firestone dealer did mine with even blinking..

[stringmachine]

VDM previously said:

Ok, so last weekend I put on my new skids and noticed a loose bolt on the right front control arm. Took it in for o/c and rotation and pointed out the bolt that had been loose. Guess what...........the "ear" inside my frame that connects to this c/a has disintegrated. No fix for that. The front connection of the control arm is stuck and they can't seem to break it loose. They beat the schit out of it today and it won't break loose. It goes back to Toyota on Monday. Meanwhile, the guys will be brainstorming trying to figure this out. They said it is something that just never happens! My service guy actually said "your truck beat my ass today". Normally that comment from a man would make me giggle but I'm guessing it's not good coming from the service dept.

They're going to work on breaking it loose again on Monday. If it doesn't work, they'll have to disassemble to get the c/a out.

This has been the cause of my bad rub. The right front tire is sitting considerably further back than the left. So the caster is way off. The camber is way off. The toe (sp) is way off. They said it's not anything I did , it's just some freaky thing. I will not miss the Harlan ride even if it does cost me a tire to get there and back!

Any thoughts, suggestions?

vdm sounds like you have it under control..

[FloJo]

stringmachine previously said:

my local firestone dealer did mine with even blinking..

two of the firestones in my area refuse to touch the essentrics. sucks, because i bought the lifetime alignment.