2005 to 2015 + Alignment Cams

So after reading tons of posts, write ups etc. How many people have had their alignment cams seize, replaced, or caught in time to put anti seize on them? I ask as my wife says I m crazy saying it's a design flaw from the 2005 on Tacoma and Toyota has done shit about it. She says there is no way Toyota or any other vehicle manufacturer would design something that consistently fails and not change it. I then told her about the frames from the 1st Gen to approximately the 2017 model year. And she still said in no way would a company let something like that go so long before rectifying it. So if you have done any of the choices I put just a plain yes is good to show that it's true it's a design flaw.

 

My 2006 cam seized which threw out the alignment tabs when the alignment tech tried to realign it. After replacing the cams as well as the tabs (with Total Chaos Tabs), the alignment cams kept slipping after any offroading. I finally upgraded to the Poly Performance Taco Tab Delete Kit I finally have a solid alignment that doesn't go out when I see a pothole or washboard road.
Really annoying design but thankfully there are some ways to fix it.

 

Mine were seized on my 2014, I replaced them when I installed my lift a few years ago. I just used Red N Tacky on my hardware when I reinstalled everything.
I even bought one of the Wheelers special removal tools to try and get mine out. The only thing it removed, was some money from my wallet.

 

Both LCAs had seized front bolts but the rears were easily removed and adjustable. I had to sawzall them out when I installed my lift.

I was prepared for it and was still pissed.

 

This is a problem on many vehicles. 4runners. Tacomas, lexus of all gens. But it's also a problem with all manufacturers also. I replaced my 4runner with spcs that have a plastic sleeve to avoid this issue.

 

Mine just flattened the tabs as well.

 

The design is not flawed, but if they put some grease or anti seize from the factory it would be fine. I had one front seize on me and I replaced the bushing and hardware. The others were goobered up but I was able to remove without damage. I remove the cams and clean and reapply anti seize as part of a yearly PM now, it only takes 10 minutes, include as part of an oil change.

 

All 4 bolts on my 2012 are seized. I did a lift and couldn't align it dur to them being stuck.
I have new control arms (replacing because of the bushings) and new hardware.
Just trying to find time to replace them.

 

I have these bad boys in the truck right now and headed in for an alignment at 7. I believe my front cams are seized.

 

One of my front cams was seized. Since I bought my truck in certified condition, I pushed Toyota to fix the issue under the CPO warranty. It was a helluva fight, but they eventually replaced both LCAs and all alignment hardware.

 

Hopefully I don’t need all this, and I’ll make someone local a hell of a deal on the Linex coated OEM LCA’s and alignment cams

 

Having spent 35+ years in manufacturing, let me comment on "manufacturing defects." What we're talking about here could be considered a problem - but only in places where they use corrosive chemicals on the road. Just like the rusted frame issue, one (generally) only sees this in those areas. The rest of the world? Not so much.

Said another way, it's a problem in some geographical areas and not in others. Does that still mean it's a defect? Here we need to look at the cost of fixing or eliminating that problem - all over the world. So the bean counters look at magnitude of the problem (in dollars) and make a decision as to whether or not it's cost effective to change the design, or put up with the problem. And remember, if they're not paying for it under warranty, it's a different kind of problem - a customer relations problem. And don't forget, the cam bolts work just fine if they're not corroded.

So somebody at Toyota has seen (many times I'm sure) that there is an issue with alignment cam bolts corroding (in certain areas) and seizing up. They have apparently calculated that the cost of addressing the problem exceeds the value of addressing it. Think Toyota is the only manufacturer who does this? Wrong. Look at GM with ignition lock cylinders a few years ago - and people died! I could be tempted to say that a better design (or manufacturing / assembly process) would easily solve this problem, but I haven't seen the numbers on it. So I still won't call it a design defect. I will still say that the Pontiac Aztec was a design defect though.

 

Front cams are seized

 

I replaced an LCA late last year.

My 10 year old cams were in great condition, a light tap with a rubber mallet and they came right out. I was prepared for a fight based on everything I’ve read here... had a couple carbide blades ready to go but didn’t need them.

I used marine grease when I installed the new sleeve/cams and bolts and I kept the old hardware as spares because of their excellent condition.

I have a California truck - so YMMV.

 

2014 30,000 miles when purchase and clean underneath. Was able to reuse a couple but replace the rest and added anti-seize with new bushings. Had "ok" numbers after lift, but wanted to take care of that issue since I will be running this thing into the ground.