Slipped LCA bent cam tabs, Dealer wants to replace frame $26k

Ahhhhhh, and now the truth out's itself. Dealer CYA.

 

It was aligned 5k ago by dealer but I haven't been able to look at it yet. Hopefully after getting sone ideas here it will be clearer what happened when I can check it and look for evidence.

 

I just did a big suspension refresh on my BMW 135 and I noticed that the cam tabs on the 3400lb car are significantly beefier and better designed than the ones on the front of a Tacoma.

 

Once again, it mildly irks me that people use the words "Toyota" and "dealership" as synonyms. No way the dealer franchise even called Toyota over that one.

Get the aftermarket tabs. Leave the dealer a terrible review and then move on.

 

If your tab is not broken off, bend it back. Then put weld bead to hold it in place. Then put a weld bead on all your other tabs. I had the same thing happen to me. That was about 5 years ago. No problems since.

 

Thanks I changed the title from Toyota to dealer.

 

Small block of steel 1/2'' x 1/2'' by length of tab. Bent tab back carefully. place water soaked rag over rubber, weld block behind tab taking time to keep the rubber from getting too hot. It should never fail again. Just welding the tab itself isn't enough, it needs to be braced higher so there is support behind the cam area.

Even a 120v buzzbox should have zero issues with this.

 

This is the solution, simple and effective. I’ve worked with some great techs over the years but the overall state of the automotive industry is pretty sad.

 

Multiple people do it often. And it's a very mild pet peeve. I'm not exactly going to draw lines in sand or burn friendships over it.

 

I would also remove auto brake from the title

That was not the root cause, even if they failed under that event. They would have eventually failed during some other event anyway.

 

Another option for LCA cam tabs that is arguably a better option — this replaces the full lower area and the cam tab areas are much beefier.

https://jdfabrication.com/collectio.../products/tacoma-2016-lower-arm-pivots-899-99

 

You've gotta be kidding me with this. Get a cold chisel under that tab, bend it back straight and run a bead of weld between it and the frame to support it, realign the truck. $26K estimate at the dealer? You don't even need that tab, it just makes it a bit easier.....use a prybar instead, leave the tab alone, tighten the bolts properly and it won't happen again.

 

Agreed, this what I am realizing as the root cause has become more apparent. Good to know most 3gens can typically handle a sudden stop. Is it fairly certain the root cause is under-torqued LCA bolts after a dealer alignment? I'll get a chance to look at it soon too so will grab some pics.

I agree the bent tabs are not designed to support any load under power so the LCA bolts seemingly slipped as a separate issue. Thanks for the groupthink on this as the truck is stock and I have never dug into the front end before.

 

Now that you and I/us know more about the actual problem, I'd like to offer some reasonable "to me" advice. Talk to the dealer who did the alignment pointing out that a loose bolt is the most likely cause of this problem - an emergency STOP should never have been blamed. If he comes around to seeing it this way and wants to or is willing to make amends have the work done at a GOOD 4x4 shop. The dealer will most likely not be equipped or willing to do a job that is not a Toyota approved repair, hence the frame replacement. If the Service Manager refuses, take the issue to the Manager and then the Owner. You could also take it to Toyota Corporate, if all else fails.

If you are dealing with any type of an honorable dealership, I bet someone there is already thinking they made a mistake in their communications with you.

OR just have the work done at your own expense. I do not agree with the other posters who say this work will increase the value of your vehicle, nor do I agree with any decrease in the value - it is a wash and not noticeable to almost anybody. The only value would be seen by a true 4-wheeler, but then one of those people, I am one of those people, would be willing to do it themselves to get it done correctly.

Good luck with this issue next week.

 

This. You can add a bit more beef behind it by welding a piece of keystock (

$8 Steelworks Corporation Steelworks 849-1961-4155 Boltmaster Keystock 1/4" x 12" L Blue, No Size, Grey

https://www.amazon.com/Steelworks-C...id=1756684083&sprefix=keystock,aps,175&sr=8-8) behind the tab. Then, give it a slap and say: That shit ain't goin' nowhere!

 

We set the alignment and bend the tabs back in. But the offroad gussets are all you can do for a 100% fix.

 

Tons of people wheel their trucks and never had tab flattened. Your case has nothing to do with the design.

 

I still want to see what is logged in the service history.

Go to toyotaowners.com, make an account and enter your VIN. You can now see all the service the dealer has ever done.

I use the site every time I research a used Toyota. You don't even have to own the vehicle to do the check, you just need the VIN.

 

I just wonder if OP’s Truck is the one in his Avatar….

 

only way those tabs would of bent so easily is of the cam bolts were loose. im on page one commenting this so idk if its already been said but you could just bend the cam tab back. realign truck and itl be fine. average drive isnt gona hit something hard enough to move the cams when properly torqued