Loose lower control arm adjuster bolts

[Kraggle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Kraggle]

I recently lost steering while doing 80kph and felt a strong pull to the left. Managed to get to the side of the road. Front right wheel was pointed inwards, but left front was straight. Tow truck job.

Mechanic had a look at everything steering related. Turned out that the lower control arm mounting/adjustment bolts were loose (hand tight). They weren't damaged and so he torqued them back up to spec.

I had 5 new tyres and a wheel alignment done 2,000kms ago. Mechanic has said that in his opinion the bolts didn't rattle loose, and were never torqued correctly after the alignment.

Anyone encountered this before on their 95 series Prado? Tyre shop is denying it.

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

Another reason I always go over all suspension bolts after an alignment.
However…. 90’s are getting old. I’ve seen many that have been driven with semi loose adjusters which quickly wears away the cheek plates.
No matter how tight you do up the adjuster, it will try to move back to it’s worn spot and of course it’s then loose.
This can also be caused by rough removal of seized adjuster bolts. Blokes get in there with an angle grinder or recipro saw and start cutting, not realising they’re removing metal from the cheek plates.
Yo’d need to keep a close eye on her until you’re sure everything is staying put.

[Kraggle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Kraggle]

carco

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carco Thanks mate.

I’m noticing again that the alignment seems to be slowly drifting out again, so might need to jack her up and check the bolts again.