Nothing like seized cams midway into a suspension install, any creative ideas?

I finished up the rear suspension replacement and figured the front would go pretty smoothly (famous last words)! I unbolted the lower control arm from the knuckle to drop the LCA to insert the new coilover. However the LCA did not move at all even with the front cam bolt and rear nut completely loose. Both cams sets were completely seized in the bushings.

The back cam bolt is completely seized in the bushing and while I could remove the front bolt the sleeve is also completely seized in the bushing. I've soaked it in BP blaster for a day, blow torched it, and pounded on it pretty well with a heavy hammer. Nothing is moving much.

I am assuming at this point, there is no point continuing with the coilover replacement until I have dealt with the LCA bolts since there is no way to align the truck.

Do I have any other options besides the following?

A) Put it back together, take it to a shop, and have them cut the bolts and bushings out and then charge me an arm and a leg for it.

B) Cut the LCA out myself, sawzall method seems the only option at this point, then either decide to replace the bushings (also not easy) or get new LCA all together.

I am not particularly excited about having to deal with this. Seized cams was not even something I was thinking would be a problem on a 2017, but guess I underestimated the damage the mud here in Utah can do!

I've searched through the forum and youtube pretty well but figured I would ask if anyone has any creative ideas?

Thanks!

 

I think your best option is to cut them out. I'd get a set of Moog arms, throw them on the truck to get you back on the road, then rebuild your OEM ones and swap em back on the truck when you have time

 

Use an air hammer/chisel on the cam bolts.

 

https://youtu.be/oX62NFGJwZ0

 

Thanks for the input!

Found that same video for the LCA, I was hoping I could get lucky and not need to cut them out myself but it may not be looking that way. Wish I had some air tools, those would sure be handy!

For fun here are some pics.

For the Front: The cams themselves are off on the front, so is the bolt, but that sleeve is not going anywhere.
On the rear bushing: The back cam is off and the bolt is out about 1/4" but that is the extent of it's movement.

Is the general consensus keep and rebuild the OEM LCA? There must be 10 companies making UCA for every one that makes a LCA and you really pay for them. The Toyota ones seem good. Just need some greasable bolts.

I need to call around and see if a shop would be willing to remove the old bushings and press in new ones. Maybe I can save myself a little work if the price is right.

 

I would put a nut on the end of the bolt and hit it with a BFH and see if you can get it to move anymore. It's also worth trying to rotate it in the bushing to break it loose. I think the big thing is when you go back together no matter what you use is apply anti-seize on the sleeve and the non threaded portion of the cam bolts.

 

I have nothing else to add to this thread than I dig your username, d00d

 

Yeah it seems like most guys rebuild theirs with a greaseable ball joint and Whiteline poly bushings. Then give everything a good coat of anti-seize when reinstalling. You can get a set of Moog or Detroit Axle lower arms for pretty cheap, but the quality of the ball joints is kinda hit or miss. If you decide to go with upgraded arms that aren't the "OEM style" ones it'll cost you a pretty penny

 

Final update: Sawzall it is.
You think for a truck costing $35K+ new $0.25 worth of antiseize from the factor would not be too much to ask for. Oh well, I guess I get a sawzall out of it!

 

Get some good blades!

 

You could put them back on, then separate ubj from the spindle, and then take off the castle nut and pin from the tie rod, then squirm the coilover in that way.

Then put it all back together

 

I did the exact same thing this is the way to go

 

You will need a spare cam bolt set on hand or order the oem cam bolt with the sleeve since it will be the only one you end up cutting. I threw in a SPC kit for now and saved all of the oem stuff that didn’t get destroyed when cutting out the LCAs. Hopefully it will clean up and be usable someday.

 

Hey dirt_seeker don't feel bad apparently this is common for Tacoma's my truck is older than yours but I ordered all new lower control arms and tie end rods and some other items totalling close to $1000.00 ( the things we do for our Tacoma's!) Good luck buddy