Cam bolt question (now with answers and writeup)

Nice job. Gotta do this on my next truck while they are still in good shape.

 

Thanks brother.

Just to add to this...I have a buddy with an '08 who recently had tires and an alignment done. They told him that 3 of the 4 adjusters were stiff and crusty, but freed them up without much drama. But the driver's side front was completely seized. They ordered the new sleeve and cam bolt and cut out the old one. Don't know what that cost him

 

Mine got a good coating of anti seize last weekend when doing Pro install and welding cam tabs

 

Well, I'm at 126k on a truck that has been in Texas it's entire life (with the exception of road trips. Maybe seen snow a dozen or so times). Tried to remove the LCA so that I can press out a LBJ and couldn't get the sleeve out. Bolt came out fine, sleeve wouldn't budge. Looks like I'm going to have to cut it out. Any idea what this part number is?

I'm leaning toward this one, but the diagram isn't the best. https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-...hY29tYSZ5PTIwMTEmdD1iYXNlJmU9NC0wbC12Ni1nYXM=

maybe this? https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-...hY29tYSZ5PTIwMTEmdD1iYXNlJmU9NC0wbC12Ni1nYXM=

 

I agree....the first one appears to be it. But can't say 100% as I've never had to actually replace one.

Assuming you're talking about the front cam?

 

I will definitely be doing this when I replace my LCAs. Went to a buddy's to do the cam tab gussets and the bolts were seized so bad that the only thing that is going to remove them now is a sawzall. Got a lead on a set of OEM replacement LCAs and I will 110% be using this method when I install the new ones.

Thanks OP and +1 for the write-up and pics.

 

Great write up,I’m in the same boat as @geekhouse23 and just waiting for my new LCA with new poly bushings to be finished.

 

Great write-up. I ended up having to cut two of the bushings out of mine.

 

About to do cam gussets... and almost considering having spare cam bolts and bushings at the ready just in case.

 

First of all, great writeup! It got me thinking about doing something to my 2014 - if it's not too late. I live in an area where we use tons of road salt and I fear it may already be too late.

I do have one thought / comment though. Never Seize does not contain any corrosion inhibitors. In fact it was designed to prevent metal to metal contact causing the surfaces to gall and lock together - not corrode (rust) and lock together. When I do mine, I plan on using Waterproof Trailer Bearing Grease instead. It's designed for use on boat trailers where the bearings take regular baths - sometimes in salt water. It also contains corrosion inhibitors to prevent rust. Although either product will definitely do more than the factory plated finish on the bolts, I think the grease with corrosion inhibitors will work better.

Hope that helps.

 

Currently waiting on a call from the shop to let me know if my Carmax insurance will cover this. After installing my lift and getting the alignment done, realized I had a frozen cam bold too. After calling, the only way the CarMax insurance provider will cover it is if there is something wrong with the bushings and or LCA. Rusted frozen bolts are not covered. After getting that bit of info, I made sure the shop knew it for their report... I told them to replace everything if they could. If approved, which I have a good feeling about from talking with the shop, I will get them to add some anti seize too. Have a $150 deductible.

 

I'm sure the grease will work well too.

I went with antiseize/lubricant because I've had great luck with it over the years. I've used it many times to prevent wheels from seizing to hubs. Also, rotors to hubs....and many other applications.

The whole point is not so much actually lubricating the cam bolts and sleeves....but to prevent them from becoming one with each other and/or the LCA bushings.

 

Whether you use some sort of heavy duty bearing grease, a type of marine grease or antiseize....the important thing is that you get them lubed up....the bolts, sleeves, and inside the LCA bushings.

As mentioned in the 1st post....lubing the back side of the cams themselves is not recommended. You want some good grip on those.

 

It's been about 2 years since I did this. I plan to repeat it, mainly to see how easily it all comes apart.

Stay tuned for an update soon

 

You are one dedicated guy, lol...

 

Ok. 2 year update. I wanted to pull these adjusters again just to get an idea of how things have held up after two years, including two more winters. I also wanted to share with others so they could have an idea as well.

I'm pleased to say I have nothing negative to report. Everything came apart like butter....easier than the 1st time, in fact. Nothing frozen. Zero corrosion anywhere.

I didn't take any pictures as nothing significant was different other than not having to sand off any corrosion. The only other differences between this time and 2 years ago was that I have a TRD skid. No reason to remove it like the factory skid, as you have plenty of clearance. I didn't need to mark my alignment either because I could still see my white touchup paint marks with a bit of wiping.

So now I know. This procedure works great and the anti-seize does a great job of keeping things easy to disassemble and corrosion free.

I encourage everyone to do this ASAP. Don't wait. And I don't think it absolutely has to be anti-seize. Any type of high temp grease or marine grease. Just some kind of heavy duty lubricant to keep things from becoming one

 

subd for future reference
thanks OP

 

You are most welcome.

This headache doesn't flare up until someone attempts an alignment or LCA replacement, etc. So it's kind of out of sight out of mind. How often do those kinds of things get done? Not very often. So by the time it's necessary....the damage is often already there

 

Thats good to hear,lol. I would never got back around to it. Guess one good thing that came from tardo at the bum shop bending my tabs out. Pro setup has been rather nice, as well, lol.

 

I replaced one of the cam bolts when I replaced my LCAs last year. I've noticed a creaking sound when I apply the brakes. I used Lucas grease as I couldn't find my tube of anti-seize. I'm not sure whether I think it's because they were greased upon re-install (not likely) or because I didn't use OEM LCAs for the replacements....I'm thinking my issue probably lies with the Dorman LCA bushings.

....FWIW...