LCA replacement

The dealership says my front driver side noise when the wheel is near lock and the suspension is under high compression is the LCA bushing and they are not replaceable. Looking at options, I can go with the Toyota part for $458 each (I will do both sides, I figure if one is going the other is likely not far behind), or Moog, Mevotech, or Dorman replacement, all for under $200 each. While I absolutely don't want to compromise safety when it comes to brakes, tires, or suspension, I also understand that many OEMs sell their components under different names, and that other manufacturers make parts that are just as good or sometimes better than OEM for the same money. The fact that I've got 85K on a 2018 Tacoma and am replacing suspension parts already makes me think that I have nothing to lose by going non-OEM. My question is this: Out of these companies (including OEM), are there any that are significantly better or worse than the others? Thoughts? I do tow, have a steel front bumper, winch, and will be putting on an OME lift when I do the LCAs if any of that matters.

 

Bushings are replaceable, OEM or OEM style bushings bind. If you are doing lift and some offroad then the ones on the link are the way to go.

https://whitelineperformance.com/products/w53522-control-arm-lower-inner-bushing

 

You can get replacement lower balljoints from Ebay from Japan (for whatever reason Toyota USA doesn't sell them here) for about $100/pair. Part 43330-09510

You can use the Whiteline bushings above to rebuild the inner bushings.

I have a set of both of these above sitting in a freshly painted set of used LCA's I found. I have a bunch of other stuff to do at the same time (more bushing work throughout the front end) so it will be a few months before I have them in.

 

The Toyota LCA is like $265 online. Your dealer's retail markup is high
https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/...--Rear--Upper--Lower/14762436/4806904060.html

Moog is acceptable too but probably doesn't last as long.

Bushing replacement requires a lot of butchery with a torch, shop press, etc.

 

I have those whiteline bushings installed in my truck. They've been great so far...

A little heat and a bottle jack and the old bushings pop right out.

 

Toyota won’t press in bushings, so maybe take it to an independent shop and have some white line bushings installed.

 

Just like me in the video

https://youtube.com/shorts/IhzEkSnkKNU?feature=share

 

^This works half the time. Other times the LCA deforms from jack pressure before the bushing budges.

 

You only perform this with non rusted, soaked on pb blaster and using heat LCA’s. The link for the Whiteline bushings are for the 3rd gen. I have installed multiple sets on 3rd gen Tacomas and 5th gen 4Runners.

 

On their site they say they fit for 3rd gens. I don't recall having to drill anything out of mine. Just popped them in and they were good.

 

I believe @3JOH22A was not aware that there are now a model for 3rd gen. They have not been around for long.

 

^Ah ok, I see different P/Ns

$168 W53312 Front Control Arm Bushing, Black

W53312 for 2nd gen vs. new W53522 for 3rd gen. Took Whiteline long enough to offer them.

 

And as you know they work wonders. I cringe big time when I see people with aftermarket suspension and OEM bushings.

 

They are. There is a reason I stopped taking my truck to the dealership for service. They also add "shop fees" on top of the quoted price that you only find out about when you get the invoice. I noticed them and was unhappy enough with their service that most of the customers that were waiting now know to look for them LOL. Making up BS fees is one thing, adding them on top of your quoted price is a whole new level of stealership. Thanks for the link. For that price I'll probably go OEM.

 

I don't really go off road. Only reason I/m doing the lift is because I tow and the stock rear leafs are junk, even within the towing, tongue, and bed limits of the truck. To go with heavier springs I pretty much need to lift, unless someone makes stiffer ones I haven't found yet. Even unloaded my leaf springs are flat now.

 

I believe they are pretty flat from factory even. But anyway, I recommend stuff that will allow proper use of the other components people buy. But, yeah OEM bushings bind and over a short period of time they’ll show. Cheers my dude.

 

Not to derail the thread, but if you're happy with current ride height, just order some new leafs from Alcan Spring (https://www.alcanspring.com/). They'll make you whatever ride height/load capacity you want. Love mine.

 

I hope that's actually what's causing the noise. I'd be under the truck with a pry bar checking bushing play myself.

And keep in mind, if the LCA cam bolts are seized in the sleeves they'll have to be cut out and replaced too

 

Damn, that shows how excessive weight on stock suspension makes things wear out faster.

 

Dealers replace bushings. TW members replacing bushings. Half of which is pressing a new bushing into a hole. The same as a factory.
Replacement bushings exist, to be replaced.

90k is a common suspension wear point.

I've got used OEM LCA's with aftermarket bushings and LBJ. What you choose is up to you.
I would not go with a dirt cheap $50 whole arm from China. Made that mistake. The parts sucked.

I don't know who the supplier is for OEM. OEM arms are good. You can find a deal on them and install them in a parking lot. That is cheaper.

There are springs made to accomodate bumpers. 90k is a normal bushing wear time.

Steel bumper does not affect common dealer policy to upsell unnecessary work.