Lower control arm bushes. Am I being fleeced?

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

Just had the rig in for its 130k service, and was told (and shown) that the front lower control arm bushes are stuffed. All good, few bushes never hurt anyone.

I was then told that you can't replace the bushes, and that the whole arm has to be replaced! Is this true, or am I dealing with a lazy mechanic? It's the local Toyota dealer here in Mount Isa.

Unfortunately there aren't many other suspension specialists in town to compare.

If it helps the conversation, the front struts were stuffed too (originals) so I'm fitting OMEs all around.

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[OziOffroad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OziOffroad]

Your being fleeced, they are able to be replaced and are available aftermarket. I have supplied for customers in the past in the "Energy Suspension" brand (US made) The kit we have supplied is a complete upper and lower control arm bush kit.
Do a bit of research, I imagine Super Pro and Nolathane do them also.

Mick

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

Figured as much. I just spoke to Pedders and they can do both of them for 1/4 of the price. Only problem is they're 1000ks away.

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[OziOffroad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OziOffroad]

Figured as much. I just spoke to Pedders and they can do both of them for 1/4 of the price. Only problem is they're 1000ks away.

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Buy them online/over the phone and get them done when your struts go in?

Mick

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

I was thinking that. I spoke to the local ARB dealer here and they don't have the gear put the bushes in. I might order them online anyway and ring around and see if someone can put them all in together.

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[wholesalesuspension Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholesalesuspension]

Just had the rig in for its 130k service, and was told (and shown) that the front lower control arm bushes are stuffed. All good, few bushes never hurt anyone.

I was then told that you can't replace the bushes, and that the whole arm has to be replaced! Is this true, or am I dealing with a lazy mechanic? It's the local Toyota dealer here in Mount Isa.

Unfortunately there aren't many other suspension specialists in town to compare.

If it helps the conversation, the front struts were stuffed too (originals) so I'm fitting OMEs all around.

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Superpro do do bushes for these as suggested by Ozi Offroad, but in my experience the Prado's ride too harsh with them in the front end.
Use them anywhere else in the car & you'll love it, but on Prado's in the front end they are not the nicest of ride.
I always recommend customers to use Genuine Toyota bushes in these only.
That's what i put in my own car & have found over the years that they are the only ones that really hold up well in them.

At only 130,000kms though, i'd seek a 2nd opinion first before dropping the money on the repairs, as that seems low kms to need them doing.

Regards, Jason.

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

Thanks Jason,

Do you know what the Toyota part number is? The dealer told me that they only come together with the control arm in 1 package (and at $1100 a peice mind you)

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[wholesalesuspension Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholesalesuspension]

Thanks Jason,

Do you know what the Toyota part number is? The dealer told me that they only come together with the control arm in 1 package (and at $1100 a peice mind you)

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Hi again, I have got those part numbers at home & i'll check tonight for you.
Bushes are definitely available individually.
I did put the 95 series rebush kit up on the Pradopoint store, but never got to put the 120 Series bush kit up.
Will let you know.

Regards, Jason.

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

According to Toyotdiy, I think this is the parts:

48632A BUSH, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER ARM, RH
48632‑60020 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 2 $50.01
48632B BUSH, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER ARM, LH
48632‑60020 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 2 $50.01
48654E BUSH, FRONT LOWER ARM, NO.1 RH
48654‑60030 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 1 $69.55
48654F BUSH, FRONT LOWER ARM, NO.1 LH
48654‑60030 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 1 $69.55
48655D BUSH, FRONT LOWER ARM, NO.2 RH
48655‑60030 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 1 $83.66
48655E BUSH, FRONT LOWER ARM, NO.2 LH
48655‑60030 GRJ12*, KDJ120, KZJ120, LJ12*, RZJ12*, TRJ12*..ARL, GCC, GEN 1 $83.66

Looks like there only 3 part numbers here, the upper bush pack, and the lower front and rear.

Given I'm already driving around on "buggered" ones, how much harsher/firmer are the poly's. It does the school run most days, but we'd probably put 5000ks a year on highway driving as well.

[rovingmedic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rovingmedic]

I had the same experience here in Qatar. The problem was that the Toyota workshop did not have the required gear for pressing the old bushes out or reinstalling the new ones. There was a workshop down the road that could press the bushes for me, but there were concerns over the alignment of the new bushes or getting the job done without damaging the new bushes. In the end I decided to go with installing the complete LCA assembly. At least this way, the job came with a limited warranty.

[wholesalesuspension Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholesalesuspension]

Thanks Jason,

Do you know what the Toyota part number is? The dealer told me that they only come together with the control arm in 1 package (and at $1100 a peice mind you)

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So so sorry it took me this long to get back to you.
Couldn't find the part numbers.
Found them this morning.
Bushes are certainly available separate to the arms.
Have listed the retail prices there for you also.

Lower arm bushes part numbers are as follows:
4865460030 $97.56ea x2
4865560030 $117.49ea x2

Upper arm bush part numbers:
4x 4863260020 $69.63ea x4


The bushes are a pain in the a** to replace.
We used to blow them out with an oxy, as they were almost impossible to press out.
Pressing them back in is no worries, with no special press required.
If you do lowers only, it should cost around 4 to 4.5hrs Labour + a Wheel Alignment.
Add another 2 hrs to do the upper bushes at the same time.
Again, sorry for the late reply.

Kind regards, Jason.

[demomanca Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close demomanca]

So in summary, it appears my 3 options are:

Toyota do the arms, $2,200 plus labour. Easier job, warranty etc
Get 3rd party to do the bushes only, with Toyota Parts, $430.10 (plus Mount Isa tax) plus labour (probably 5 hours or so)
Get 3rd party to do the bushes only, with Superpros, $290.00 plus the same labour as above.

It would seem as long as I'm confident the guy doing the work isn't a clown, replacing are definitely the way to go. The Superpro's certainly are cheaper, and I would have thought longer lasting too, but the harsh ride part does concern me.

I think I'll go the Superpro's, (even after Jason's comments about the ride) and if they turn into a nightmare, order the Toyota ones. My wife seems to think she would prefer the firmer ride (the Prado is the first car she's driven that wasn't some sort of sporty thing that crushes your spine).

I'll report back on the damage.

[wholesalesuspension Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholesalesuspension]

So in summary, it appears my 3 options are:

Toyota do the arms, $2,200 plus labour. Easier job, warranty etc
Get 3rd party to do the bushes only, with Toyota Parts, $430.10 (plus Mount Isa tax) plus labour (probably 5 hours or so)
Get 3rd party to do the bushes only, with Superpros, $290.00 plus the same labour as above.

It would seem as long as I'm confident the guy doing the work isn't a clown, replacing are definitely the way to go. The Superpro's certainly are cheaper, and I would have thought longer lasting too, but the harsh ride part does concern me.

I think I'll go the Superpro's, (even after Jason's comments about the ride) and if they turn into a nightmare, order the Toyota ones. My wife seems to think she would prefer the firmer ride (the Prado is the first car she's driven that wasn't some sort of sporty thing that crushes your spine).

I'll report back on the damage.

PM sent.

Regards, Jason.

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

a cheaper option is to buy some second hand lower control arms from a wrecker with low KM swap them over
cost me about $250 delivered for both mid last year

make sure you ask for all the bolts & adjusters & ball joints as well

i had to replace mine as they were all seized and couldn't wheel align it

[wholesalesuspension Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wholesalesuspension]

Good point that i forgot to mention ^
The Camber/Caster adjusting pins on these seize all the time.
Make sure the mechanic wire buffs all the rust off them & reinstalls them greased to stop them seizing again.

Regards, Jason.