LCA Bushings: OEM, Energy Suspension, Whiteline

LCAs are not a 30 minute per side job. You have to take a lot of front end components off just to get to them.

Then there is the issue of what you find when you do get them out. Are your cam bolts frozen? A telltale for that would be the alignment shop telling you they couldn't get the alignemnt right because they couldn't move the cam bolt adjusters properly.

 

lca's = not some damn 30 minute job.

 

*300 minute per side

 

I could be mistaken, but I am pretty sure he said bushings. I'll call them and see if there are any notes on the account. It makes me wonder if I should be doing my own brakes as well. Is there a reason he would be unable to do the brake job with bad bushings? I assume they needed to be replaced so an alignment would hold. If I were more organized I could pull out my alignment results from a few months ago. The alignment shop didn't seem to think it was all that bad, but I'm pretty sure my tires would be a lot happier as from what I can tell the inside tread is getting eaten.

I think my truck has about a quarter million miles on it with what I am assuming are the original bushings. I'll double check the next time I hop in.

 

Any good alignment shop is going to do a visual inspection of your suspension components. If they can get that alignment within spec, then those LCA bushings and cams are fine. Alignment tech would tell you if those bushings were worn and needed to be replaced.

As for not being able to do a brake service/replace pads/rotors because of worn LCA bushings - thats a new one on me... Sorry, don't think so. If they stick with the bushings needing to be replaced then look for another brake shop. Personally, I think they're just trying to suck some funds from you. Could be wrong though so definitely check and confirm what they recommended.

Sounds like you have some work that needs to be done. If I were you, I'd consider what I could do given any time constraints, availability of tools/place to work. If you can do it, then give it a shot. There is enough info here on TW and youtube to pair with the FSM to get the job done. Plus side to doing it yourself - you KNOW its done right, you control the parts being used and you'll feel good about it after the fact.

 

I think I'll look for another brake shop. I'll look for a shop and ask if they will report any odd findings while doing the job. I've been putting off brakes and alignment since I was told that my bushings were fucked. The truck drives well enough, but maybe I'm just used to it :shrug:

 

I wouldn't even ask them to look - just find a shop and have the brakes done. Alignment as well. You should pop into the SoCal section and see if anyone can recommend a decent shop. https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/southern-california.43/

 

thanks

 

DEFINITELY not when you're cam bolts are rusted in place... then you spend 30 min just looking for the right tool to cut them out.

If I hadn't butchered my driver side LCA while trying to remove the OEM bushing I would say it woulda taken me about 2hrs per side...and that's IF nothing else broke while I was trying to unbolt it! I used the Whiteline bushings and so far so good. I feel like it's a wash between those and the energy one, because you still have to go through the trouble of removing the original bushing.

 

Same here, these threads remind me to service stuff quite often but keeps me rolling. I’ll probably buy oem again when I’m do mine I’m @ around 270 also.

 

Not only that but the rack and pinion is in the way and you have to wrestle the damn thing.

 

I'm pretty much convinced that the only "30min" job is adding washer fluid....

 

And checking tire pressure, and if you get lucky and compressor is already aired up you might be able to add air to the tires in that 30 min block. Otherwise throw another 30 min block on to the task time

 

dude i plan to go at it 2 more times and thats with new bushings

 

Jumping into this thread as I think this is probably the best place to ask...

Cam sleeves are definitely fused solid on mine.

Has anyone who had to cut their cam sleeves replaced them with OEM cam sleeves or gone with aftermarket? I'm a cheap SOB and am having a hard time justifying spending a lot of money on essentially a few chunks of Toyota branded metal.

 

Didn't have to cut mine; having said that I have a new set by SPC if you want for less than new.

Bought them about 2-3 months ago when I replaced my LCA bushings.

 

Don't waste your time and money on the SPC cams. They won't hold an alignment, and will strip out sooner than later, and not allow it to be aligned at all.

 

You could also hit up a salvage yard and see about finding a Tacoma or a 4Runner to strip the cams out of.

 

I would... except i've planted the car where it currently sits. She's only got two wheels on her at the moment and has only storage insurance until the end of September.

Nearest decent salvage yard that I know of is a good hour's drive away at least.

 

Yikes.