This just keeps getting better and better.

So after the pain in the ass I had putting my lift in (broken sway bar bolt that had to be welded $140) and all the trouble installing it gave me, I take it in today to get aligned, and I find out one of my cam adjustment bolts is seized. It's gonna cost me $850 to get it replaced, and aligned! I really wish I had a time machine to go back and never do the lift in the first place. In the end this whole ordeal is going to end up costing me like $1900! How is it that something like that gets seized on a 4 year old truck? I have Toyota ECP, but the guy I spoke to doesn't think it's gonna cover this...something about it being a wear and tear item. So pissed right now I feel like kicking an f-ing hole in the wall!

 

This is what I work on my vehicles myself keeps me from being ass-raped by mechanics.

Don't worry once you get everything taken care of you will be glad you did it.

 

The people that told you it was seized may have just been being lazy. Find out which ones are seized and spray some rost off on them and let them soak. The best stuff I have found is a product called Free All. It hands down is the best penetrating oil I have ever used, it worked on mine. Or just take a small propane torch and heat up the bolts until glowing them try to free them up with a larger wrench like 18-22" in length. You will be able to free them up it just takes some time effort and muscle.

 

that blows man the alignment shop my offroad shop sent my truck to broke a uca bolt or something and i got it replaced for free and they even offered to drive me to where i needed to be.

 

Dealership tried spray, impact gun, heat, 4ft bar and the bloody thing will not move. They even had me come back to see...the guy could hang off the bar and yank on it and no go I checked in the ECP coverage thing I have, but it is pretty vague on what is covered in the front suspension. Below is what it says...

Suspension arms, links and stabilizer bars, struts, bushings, wheel bearings, shocks

I feel that seeing as it is part of where the lower A arm pivots, it would be covered under the bushings part, no? I'll have to wait until Monday to even see if ECP will cover it, and then I'll have to go from there.

I still don't understand why this happens to a 4 year old truck in mint condition?! I used to have an 93 4Runner, and it was pretty rusty underneath, and never had problems like this...it baffles me. Sorry for the rant, just ticked.

 

They are saying the cam bolt is siezed into the a-arm, and that the whole a-arm has to be replaced?!

 

Cool, I'll mention that to them if my ECP won't cover it then. Maybe I should just order the parts and have someone else do it for me... The dealership is usually really good to my wife and me, but I almost crapped my pants when he quoted me $850.

 

Well, my ECP won't cover it, so I'll have to pay out of my own pocket. I asked them if they would just replace the bolt and bushing, and they said no, the whole A-arm has to be replaced...guess I'll have to look into alternatives...

This makes me wonder if my next vehicle will be a Toyota. If a part on a 4 year old truck with extended warranty isn't covered like this then what is?!

 

Well you are going to the stealership to get a fairly cheap part to get replaced for $850.00. You should get quotes from other mechanics in your area.

 

Already doing that...
The dealership says they will have to cut off the bolt/ a-arm, and then it will no longer be usable, therefore the whole unit has to be replaced. I think they are just trying to hose me...

 

Carp man! I feel your pain. I always mistrust those "extended warranties" and experiences like yours here are why.

Depending on how much time I had available and how pissed off I was, in your shoes I might start a big stink about the warranty and coverage of a control arm bolt. Wear item my @$$. "It wore out, so it must be a wear item " By that logic, they don't cover anything, and maybe that's the point. Somewhere in the fine print of your warranty, there might be an explicit list of "wear items." See if you can find it.

Extended warranties: "We cheerfully and eagerly take your money up front, then reluctantly drag our heels on paying any claim."

 

Sounds fishy to me.... Don't let them touch it till you get other mechanics opinions.

 

sounds like BS to me. they have to cut off the A arm to get a bolt out?! no way... maybe cut the bolt out....the most expensive bolt ive ever seen was like 80 somthings bucks but that was for an aircraft...

 

I phoned another local shop and I guess the bushing is $125, and the bolt is $41, and then $160 worst case scenario to install plus alignment...$460 ish...

 

The fact that he called him 'carp man' in the post previous to yours sounds 'fishy' to you?...


("Carp man! I feel your pain. I always mistrust those "extended warranties" and experiences like yours here are why")

 

same thing happened to me when I had my lift installed. 10 ton press would not get bolt out. Guy melted it out and replaced the cam bolt for $150.

 

Now you're just baiting us.

 

Sorry, i'll get 'reel'...