Non-OEM Replacement Lower Control Arms

Dam that’s not a bad dea at all especially with that warranty. Never heard of AM parts though. Wonder if they are any good

 

Not much info. Probably chinese knockoffs

https://www.am-autoparts.com/about.html

 

I used raybestos lower control arms when I replaced mine in 2015. At the time I had 97k on the truck.

They are still on there now and the truck is at 180k miles over 2.5 years. The bushings are tired but that's expected. The OEM bushings don't last that long either. They haven't had an easy life either.

 

That’s good to know. I would hope any non oem would last that long. Hoping the new moogs do.

 

Most likely knock offs for sure. The warranty is good though, if it’s actually honored. Any experience with import direct?

 

Im about to pull the trigger on the MOOG Lower Control Arms for my Tacoma. Is it recommended to replace with a new caster/camber adjusting kit or use the existing stock ones?

 

Well... The OEM cam bolts are far superior to the aftermarket cams. However, the OEM cams are really expensive. Something like $160 for everything. The issue is that if your cams are rusted solid in there and you have to cut things apart with a sawzall, then you are forced to replace the cams. With your truck being a '11 in San Diego, you have a slightly better chance than most.

 

I used the Moog after market grease fittings Ones and haven no problem keeping it in alignment.

 

Yes, Chinese made and they compete with MAC auto parts. But quality is not bad. I put their LCAs on wife's Lexus and they are holding up, but rust is visible on the edges; have 25K on them. I would suggest spraying a fresh coat for added protection. 10-yr warranty may sound good but I believe you have to pay for shipping and the LCAs are rather heavy.

I went with Dorman LCA's. On Rockauto for $78, but you have to find them by part #:

$116 Dorman 522719 Dorman 522-719 Front Driver Side Lower Suspension Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly Compatible with Select Toyota Models

Dorman 522719 and 522720.

 

I’m about to have a new suspension upgrade installed on my truck pretty soon. I own a 2011 Tacoma with just a little over 94k miles on it and was thinking of replacing the stock LCA’s with non-OEM MOOG LCA’s as a preventative maintenance. What’s your thoughts on this? Should I replace or keep the stock for now?

 

I would say inspect them first and see if they even need replacing. If they don't need to be replaced there's no reason to do it. They come out on their own too so it's not like you have to remove 100+ other things to get to them. It's literally 5 bolts per LCA and you're good to go!

 

I went with Moog LCAs and have no had a problem...... BUT, do NOT use aftermarket alignment cams/bolts like the SPC ones, etc. For the alignment cams/bolts, go with genuine Toyota one. The aftermarket ones are crap compared to factory....

Whereas there isn't much difference between the LCAs..... there's a huge difference in alignment cam/bolts.

 

I put in Febest cam bolts and they are holding up as expected. Construction didn't look out of the ordinary. Part # 0132-005. Didn't replace any other hardware as it looked good.

 

Where did you order the OEM cam/bolt sets?

 

Late to the game, but buy MOOG over the doorman. I used to sell both and we had a lot of issues with doorman chassis parts. Cheaply made and no Q/C

 

As important as the lower ball joint is I'm going oem haha

 

The word on the streets is that Toyota doesn't sell lower ball joints seperately. So if you buy the OEM control arms, you are stuck with the split bushing tubes. It amazes me that for most people that little gusset tab holds the tube together. People who wheel hard have had it blow apart. I wonder if the orientation of the split is random or if it's always just that little tab holding it together. The Moog control arms don't have the split.

 

I am not picturing "split bushing tubes". If Google pics are right, there is no such thing on Tacoma LCA or UCA's.

 

Picture a piece of welded seam tubing but they forgot to weld the seam. That's what the tube on the OEM control arm looks like. There are pics on TW of the tube failed.

 

Didn't find an LCA eye failure in my search, but I sure did find some other good fails .