Moog Control arm

Soooo like I want to put new control arms on my truck and I was thinking moog upper control arms but I don’t know if I should get them for my Tacoma what do you guys think of them?

 

Why would you get upper control arms that don't offer adjustability for a "lifted Tacoma" scenario?

Are your current upper control arms cracked?

You can often find a factory used set for next to nothing; you'd just need to replace the bushings.

 

Well it just has normal wear and if I take it off-roading I want to just bite the bullet and replace it so I don’t have to pay later you know ?

 

That's just it, an upper control arm isn't a wear item.

Only thing you need to service (or replace) are the bushings.

You've also got the upper ball joint, but that's pressed into the spindle.

 

I have moog lower control arms since I needed new lca bushings and didn't want to press them out. So far no issues. My upper control arms are spc

 

I sold Moog steering and suspension components in my auto parts stores for years and found them to be high quality.

 

I’m also thinking of MOOG LCAs and currently have 155k on the rig. The reason being is because I did notice that on Toyota Parts Official website they listed the 2nd Gen LCAs as “Parts No Longer Available” which was my first choice.

(1) Does Anyone know the actually long term quality of MOOG LCAs? (heard a lot of negatives on them)

(2) Is there another reputable website for Toyota Genuine Parts that anyone can recommend?

 

I'm gearing up to replace LCA arms or bushings but OEM LCA's are $500 a set online so I'll probably do bushings.
I think there is an easier way to replace the bushings than what you see on most Youtubes etc. and you only need a vice.

I saw where a guy cut the washer end of the bushing insert with sawzall (off the truck) and then simply drilled out the rubber part (and/or a hole saw), then used a sawsall to cut the metal insert. No heat to ruin the rust protection, no special tools which I will likely never use again. I have a sawsall but actually I would probably just use a hacksaw (remove blade and thread the hole) so I can better see what I'm doing.

Then press bushings in with vise using wood blocks with holes drilled to accommodate bushings or similar. He used a special tool here, likely because he was working alone.

Some of the videos/guides are confusing because depending on what type of bushings you get, you leave the metal sleeve in the CA. With Whiteline of course you are replacing the metal sleeve.

Not against buying enough special tools to fill a truck bed but not for single use. Can also use bottle jack to remove old bushings but I think its risky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX62NFGJwZ0

 

I think the thing you've probably heard negatives about are Moog LBJs (lower ball joints). The Lower Control Arms (LCAs) from Moog are just fine and you should feel totally fine running them. They'll come with new LCA bushings as well, which will help with alignments if you're having any issues with those at the moment.

Genuine OEM LCAs are super expensive, like super expensive. Before you go that route, I'd ask you why you're replacing the LCAs in the first place? Generally, except for the bushings, they are a non-wear item on our trucks. Here are the parts though, if you must:

• Toyota OEM: (L: 48069-35120 | R: 48068-35120),
• Moog L: Left | R: Right
• Mevotech L: Left | R: Right - another good brand

If all you need are new bushings, you can read this guide on how to replace your existing bushings: Step-by-Step Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement on a 1st Gen Tacoma (or 3rd Gen 4Runner)

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@turbodb
I appreciate the response. I just received my lift kit and JBA UCAs and simply wanted to replace the LCAs as a preventative.

I don’t mind replacing the whole LCA with a MOOG if that’s good quality but as for the MOOG LBJ is the one that come with complete MOOG ok quality?

If it comes down to it I don’t mind replacing the LBJ and bushings and keeping the OEM Toyota part

What’s your recommendation?

 

@turbod I’ll post a picture of my LCAs tomorrow if that helps a bit

 

Personally, I don't think there's any reason to replace the LCA as a preventative measure. However, if you want to replace them, then I'd use an aftermarket - Moog or Mevotech rather than OEM for the LCA.

For the LBJ, definitely go with OEM, and not aftermarket. You'll hear arguments on both sides of that one, but given that a failed LBJ can lead to thousands of dollars of repair costs (new steering rack, suspension, etc), I wouldn't risk it. You can see the part numbers and how to replace the LBJs here: Step-by-Step Replacing Lower Ball Joints (LBJ) on a 1st Gen Tacoma For OEM LBJs, you have several options on the parts, depending on what you need:

1. If you also need 4 new flanged bolts to secure the LBJ to the lower control arm (LCA), then you should purchase part numbers - L: 43340-39585; R: 43330-39815.
2. If you plan to re-use your 4 existing LBJ bolts, then you can usually save a bit of money and get - L:43340-39436; R: 43330-39556.
3. Toyota has a recall on some model year Tacoma LBJs. If you can find Lower Ball Joint TSB Kit (Left+Right) (04005-03235), it is sometimes cheaper. However, note that it does not come with LBJ bolts or castle nuts.

A pic would be great, I'd be happy to give another opinion once I see the photos.

 

I came to work earlier than I thought. I took these photos as best as I could @turbodb

 

Yeah, you could certainly use some new LCA bushings since yours are cracked (though the LCAs themselves appear to be in great shape). The *easiest* thing is to replace the entire LCA if you don't want to go to the trouble of replacing the bushings. The Moog or Mevotech will be 100% fine for that. Note that you're likely to also need to adjustment cam hardware when you do that, since yours are probably rusted in (and may need to be cut out):

• 4 of Toyota OEM Alignment Cam Sleeve (48409-35050)
• 4 of Toyota OEM Alignment Cam Nut (48452-35020)
• 4 of Toyota OEM Alignment Cam Bolt (90080-11283)

Go OEM on those sleeves, nuts and bolts - aftermarket are known to strip out and make alignments impossible.

For the Lower Ball Joints, I'd replace those too if you've never done it before (or don't know when it was last done). Just from a preventive standpoint. The guide I linked above for that shows a video of how to test them if you don't want to do the replacement unless it's totally necessary.

Good on you for thinking about all this stuff before it fails. You're in a better position than a lot of folks!

 

@turbodb
Thanks for all the advice. I will be replacing the LBJ and bushings and keep the LCAs original

 

Cracks from fatigue on the lower shock mount aren't uncommon. While rarer, there have been instances of cracks developing under the rivets, which is concerning based on how much "meat" is involved in that connection. If I were to do it again, I would do LCAs and not just bushings but I do know that calling it PM is a stretch.

 

I was going to rebuild my genuine original LCAs but found them online for $240each and for pickup same day and I couldn’t resist. I also order all CAM Bolts from Toyota of San Bernardino online for $140 (picking up Monday) in the event they are seized.