nj636 DCSB DB build thread

https://youtu.be/U0E0kvHrlFI

 

Swapped the alternator yesterday and went with a complete write up for the f*ck of it!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/step-by-step-diy-alternator-replacement.384165/

 

good to see my anti-seized LCA bolts are still removable after almost two years

 

Made my day lol. Good looking truck man.

 

Lil Ging is sexii

 

thanks and thank you to @V5ioV
I had quite the head ache that day

 

when I first took ownership of this truck I noticed after the first alignment that the lower control arm bolts and cams had seized in the bushings. I took on the job of removing the control arms, removing the bushings & installing new bushings along with bolts/cams.

part of the job was deciding on what bushings to install & at the time, Moog had just come out with a "problem solver" greasable cam bolt & sleeve. this product would allow the LCA cam to be greased during normal maintenance, eliminating the common seized cam/bolt issue. No brainer, I ordered a set of Moog problem solver LCA cams and bolts.

With that said, vehicles that I replace steering or suspension components always get MOOG products. I have always had great luck with the fitment of their products and I like the fact that their ball joints come greasable with a zerk fitting. Moog offered both lower control arm bushings and greasable ball joints for my truck so I purchased them.

I ended up installing the Moog bushings in my truck knowing I was installing a great reliable product. There was only one disappointment; the greasable bolt kit was a fail. The bolt for the front LCA bushing was too large in diameter. I purchased these from Rock Auto, so making them aware of the situation, I sent the bolt kit back & installed the OEM cams and bolts for the time being. (more issues on receiving incorrect Moog bolt kits than I care to speak of now).

I drove on the Moog bushings for a few months before I started to notice a clunk in the LF of the truck. Seemed to be when pulling into/backing out of my driveway or making a full lock left turn. I checked the ball joints, tie rod ends & wheel bearings – they were all tight. A few month back I noticed Sandman614 had a thread about the

$16 Moog K200773 Suspension Control Arm Bushing for Toyota Tacoma

Moog K200773 bushing moving in the control arm. He posted a GoPro video with some shocking evidence. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/moog-k200773-lca-bushing-shifting-bang-clunk.376233/

I decided to do the same and put a GoPro mount on my IFS skid and came up with this:

https://youtu.be/u-Lln299Ano

Knowing these bushings were coming out it was time to look for other options. OEM is always an option, but why not try to find a poly option. v5iov successfully installed the Energy Suspension poly bushings but they involved reusing the old bushing sleeve so that option was out. I did some research and found that Mevotech makes a poly bushing for the Tacoma. They have a 5 year no questions asked warranty. Out came the Moog’s and in go the Mevotech.






Moogs out Mevotech in



Anti-Seized cams and bolts came out without a problem





Driver side clunker out



You can see the witness marks from the bushing moving in the control arm





Driver side swap complete



I only have about 20 miles on these bushings but so far so good. Hoping these hold up

 

few other pictures of the

$16 K200773 Suspension Control Arm Bushing for Toyota Tacoma

K200773 bushing

 

Hey Kev, how was it relpacing the needle bearings?

 

the front diff needle bearing? replacing with the ECGS bushing?

 

Yeah, I have about 70k on the truck I think that are due, that and I just started getting a droning noise at 60.

 

I did it on the silver truck and this truck. It's not bad at all with the removal tool. I stuck the bushing in the freezer while I was disassembling, it knocked right in with a seal driver set.

I definitely recommend the ECGS bushing.

 

So the bushing replaces the needle bearings?

 

I just

I just answered my own question by looking at the ECGS site. But enough to derping up your build tread, I'm just going to shoot you a text later with a few more questions.

 

yea man, an actual solution to a manufacturing flaw with our trucks

 

I know it's only been a month but how are those bushings working out for ya @nj636

 

so far so good! no pops, bangs, squeaks or clunks. Let's see how they hold up.

 

I know you got a busy schedule but let me know when you have time for a trail ride



Have you seen the the signs post at the entrances off the pway? Drove by to fast can't read them, can't be good.