Went to the dealer to get an alignment, and after 6 hours they came up to me and said, "sorry, everything is too rusty to align. We got it as close as we could, but it is not perfectly aligned." Well, they were right, but it was even worse than before! So I took it back so they could put it back to how it was and they told me they would not touch it unless I paid them $2000 to rebuild the front end!

So, I just told them to write out what needed to be replaced and I will come back when I have money...yeah right.

Anyway, here is what they say needs replacing:
Lower control arms cams bolts, upper ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, tierod assemblies.

My Questions:
-Do I really need to replace all the above to get a proper alignment?
-What are the nececities, tierods?
-Can someone point me to a guide on the net that shows how to install these parts (guides, diagrams)? My Haynes book doesn't cut it.
-Is Toyota insane for wanting $2000 to replace the above!?

Thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

First off, the $2k the dealer wants, atleast half of it is in labor, at retail prices the parts should run about $5-600, plus the lower A-arms. The idler arm and pitman arm should run around $250-300 (for both retail), around $150 if you know someone who can buy parts at cost. Figure about the same for the upper and lower ball joints(if I remember correctly). New tie-rod-ends and adjuster nuts for both sides should run under $75(at Napa). I am not sure about the cam bolts(shouldn't be more than $50 for the pair). The lower control arms if yours are completely rutsed out, should be replaced. You should be able to get them for free plus shipping off of either this board or Pirate. Actually you could probably get most of this stuff from someone who is doing an SAS, except the pitman arm. Check out the for sale items, and post what you need in the wanted section. For a correct alignment, all of the items listed above need to be in working order, or adjustable(cambolts). J94_4runneráis goiing to be doing an SAS on his 4 runner, you should send him a PM and see what parts you can get from him.

As far as replacing the stuff, it is pretty straight forward, just disassemble and install. You can download a complete factory service manual for $10(full day access) here http://techinfo.toyota.com/ If you have some friends that have Toys, you should you could split the cost and download one for each truck.

Tie rod ends are a safety issue, because if they fail at high speed, there's no way you can control the truck. Replacement is pretty straightforward. You DO need a front end alignment after replacement of those buggers.

Idler arm, unless bent, usually replacing the bushings is in order.
Tech article is over at http://www.offroad.com/toyota

As mentioned, JRunner is doing a SAS, and other 4x4 bbs' have IFS stuff they want to get rid of; check the for sale board here too.

Consider shopping around for a bushing kit too; tightens up the stuff that crumbling away. Good luck on the scavenge hunt! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Where you at? I just did an SAS and if you come pick the stuff up that you need (coolecting spiders in my back yard)I'll charge you a whopping $20.

Here's another link for the idler arm rebuild. I had this done ealier this year. A local mechanic did it for me and said it was pretty straight forward. The write-up says it takes under and hour. I think parts were $15 in total.

Where's your link? You forgat it!

Sorry for being a n00b but what is SAS?

Also, I am in San Diego CA if anyone can find me some part sources within driving distance.

Thanks for all the info,

Rich

Rick, SAS stands for solid axle swap. If you ever get hardcore into rock crawling, it's a good option for suspension. If you are wheeling Los Coyotes, desert stuff, Lake Morena stuff, you don't need to cut out the IFS for a solid axle, just a locker is fine.

As for your front end parts, if you have to go to the dealer, I found Toyota Escondido to be reasonable, much more so than Toyota Carlsbad. I haven't tried the dealers in SD yet.

Personally, I bought all my front end stuff at Napa with lifetime warranties. I haven't had to use those warranties yet but it's nice to have 'em.

Frank

rich,

try posting at the pirate BB.

lots of people in the socal...

This dealer has good prices on parts over the internet http://www.toyota-parts.com/