LCA Replace or Put in new bushings

Looking for info on whether or not to replaces LCA's with an aftermarket one or just put new urethane bushings in.

Do urethane bushings last longer than the stock with minimal upkeep?

Also what would you expect the price/labor for each? Anything to think about/problems that might arise while doing the work?

TIA

 

Just what are you working on?

Is this just a upgrade or are the bushings so bad it tears up the front tires?Impossible to align ?

The 2012 ?? If your paying Labor to change these bushings it can get very expensive.

I won`t mess with them any more

At that Point get prices quoted to install the new ones it might be cheaper.

Planning to change Ball joints while things are apart ??

 

At my dealer we usually just replace the whole arm since on fords it gets you new bushings and new ball joint with no extra labor having to pressing the old out and the new in.

 

170k miles, the bushings are done.

Shop quoted new LCA's installed parts+labor at 1300 or adding urethane bushings for $600 to the existing LCA.

I am debating if the $600 is decent price plus the urethane bushings. I could probably do the work myself but would rent a garage at $40 bucks an hour and don't know what other problems I would run into. Ball joints are possible. I think tie rods maybe needed soon or the steering rack is loose.

 

That's fucking steep as hell, i only have ford part prices for comparison but ford UCA range 150-200 each usually. I have not needed to do my tacomas but the worse and i mean a serious pain in the ass for ford was 2 hours per side, i cant imagine tacomas are that bad. do tacomas need a alignment after new UCAs? For reference my ford dealer labor is $120/hr.

Edit sorry I've been reading it as UCA, not LCA which you asked about, so you would need a alignment afterward if memory serves but 1300 is still rather steep in my opinion, can you install new ball joints on the lowers? I know on most fords you can, for only 600 with new bushings I would go that route along with new ball joints if they are replacable, you've already got the arms out so why not.
Also if you need tie rod ends this would be a good time since you wouldn't have to pay for a alignment twice.

 

I recently spent $800 at a shop to get LCA's replaced, mount and balance 4 tires, alignment, and rear brakes replaced. This was just for labor, but the quote you have seems steep for sure, considering the bushings cost about $20. My bushings were shot, but I figured with the truck being 10 years old and with 200k on it, the ball joints would need to be done soon anyway.

I went with greasable alignment cam bolts to maintain the bushings for the future.

 

Do it yourself, don't pay someone. I did mine today. Its 25$ each side for the bolts from Wheeler's Off-Road and 120$ a control arm from Amazon. If you do both sides its $290. I unbolted the control arm from the steering knuckle (sometimes called a spindle), unbolted the lower shock mount, and then used a reciprocal saw and 10 blades to cut the bolts mounting the LCA to the frame - specifically on the inside of the bracket, right next to the bushings. Give yourself a Saturday and get it done.

In terms of pricing, think about the hours. A cheap mechanic will charge you $50 an hour, a good mechanic closer to $100 an hour, and I think many of the Toyota dealerships charge closer to $110 -$120 an hour. So, lets assume these people are efficient and it takes them three hours per side - you are looking at $150-$300 per arm for labor alone. If you do both sides, its $300-$600 for labor. Add in parts (assuming you pay what I paid, and not Toyota dealership prices) and its $600-$900 for both sides. Add in $50 for shipping the parts, and you are at $650-$950. Lets say you live in an area that results in a lot of rust and the mechanics factor this in to their rates as additional labor. Add in another 1.5hrs per side, so 3 hours total, and you are looking at $800-$1250 to get it done. The prices you have make sense.

Other things to consider. If you replace the entire LCA, you get new ball joints and bushings with it too, which will help your ride. Because I do all my own work, its not a big deal to me to swap parts out, so I don't notice the difference between urethane and normal bushings. By the time I'm ready to change these on my truck, there are usually many other parts that need to be done anyway. If your LCA is going out, its likely your UCA and upper ball joints aren't far behind. And if that's happening, and considering your mileage, I bet your inner and outer tie rods are also on their last legs. While you are at it, why not just do the CV joints too?! If you are willing and able to get your hands dirty, you can buy all these parts for under $1000 and basically get a new front end.

 

Wow.