1997 Toy-Tacoma lower control arms.

Hello, and thanks to everyone who makes this forum possible.



I am working on a 1997 Toy-Tacoma, currently busing replacement all, including the lower control arms, what I have not been able to find is what do I do with the dial, or gage indicator, what does it indicate and before I remove should I mark a spot, if so what and where. I am installing ES, bushing set 8.3115. Also what is the outer metal shell look like? Will I damage it by using ball joint press, Kit#46. or will it come out with the bushing?



Thank you for any and all assistance.

P.s.

After reading a little bit more it’s the alignment cams, but I don’t know how to mark their location.



Ruben.

 

Your going to need a alignment no matter how many marks you make.

 

Thank you for taking the time, to address my concerns!

Yes, and I am ok with that, so what your saying is don’t worry about them, Right ? Or should I be taking some precaution?

Ruben.

 

The important part is being able to get them out

It is not uncommon depending just where you live that they seize up being in there from new .

I needed to replace all mine just to do the alignment

 

Yeah that's kind of where I'm at I went to go buy some tires I was told I need a front end alignment at that point found out they couldn't be aligned without repairing the inner link rod also had a bad CV that has to be replaced so I can take it all apart do all the bushings and be done with it.

 

You just need to draw a mark on the alignment cam and continuing onto the frame mount point. That way when you put the new lower control arms in and put the cams back in, you know approximately what position they were in so that you can get the alignment close enough to at least drive it to the alignment shop. If you have to cut the alignment cams out to remove the lower control arms then it won't matter if you mark them or not since you won't be able to match up the marks upon reinstallation. In that case just take a picture so you can approximate the position of the alignment cam when you put it all back together.

 

Just gonna let you know I'm doing the exact same thing and I didn't bother with marking it because of needing new hardware . All the hardware needed to bolt on the LCA'S will run you about 130 from camelback toyota. I luckily got 3/4 out with just an impact . My question for you however is did your cam alignment nut thing (closest to the front of the vehicle) come off separately or did it come out with a sleeve stuck to it because idk if the sleeve is just stuck to mine thanks to years of rust or its suppose to be lol any help would be great .