2001 Taco Lower Control Arm Bushing Inspection

Does anyone know what is the correct method to inspect the Lower Control Arm (LCA) bushings on a 2001 - 2004 Tacoma 4WD TRD SR5. I checked the Tacoma service manual and it looks like Toyota does not cover the subject.

I had my 2001 Taco on jacks Sunday replacing brake rotors. While replacing those I stuck a pry bar between the frame & LCA. When I pry it the bar moves Lower Control arm back n forth in the horizontal axis. The thing is the Lower Control arm has lots of room to move back n forth i.e. its not a tight (interference) fit between the LCA & frame. Seems strange Toyota would engineer this much excess space so there must be a reason.

My symptom is when tapping the brakes on/off at walking speed you can feel the LCA moving back no forth. It feels rubbery and disconnected mad Last year the same symptom caused me to replace the Upper Control Arm with OEM parts.

I am all ears & TAI

 

good luck

 

I saw those Pdfs in the Service Manual too, thanks for sharing MEDICDUDE423. Although I could check the torque of those bolts to rule them out. BTW I just replaced the Upper & Lower Ball joints with OEM parts three weeks ago.

I am sure another Forum member has run into the same issue with the Lower Control Arm feeling like jelly

 

it sounds like they're shot. You can go forward ~5 mph and press the brakes hard and firm and if your bushings are bad the front tires will jiggle, you can feel it and hear it. That's what my mechanic did.

 

Yes, mine had too much play with pry bar and you could feel it when driving. I replaced the bushings, problem fixed.

 

I just replaced my LCA bushings this past weekend and I think I found a new (unmentioned) technique for removing the bushings from the lower control arm.

1. Spray penetrating oil in and around bushings
2. Use bottle jack (normal jack works too) and correctly sized wrench socket to apply outward force on bushings (see image)
3. Bang on the control arm with small sledge hammer to release bushing from LCA.
4. Repeat for opposite side of LCA.