Replacing Lower Control Arms on a Toyota 4Runner with KDSS (same for a Lexus GX460)

[@IntoTheMystery13]

You don't have to remove the sway bar to swap the lower control arms. You can just disconnect the ends. Use a jack on the drivers side under the kiss piston to move the right side of the sway bar. Other than that lots of great tips in here. Thanks for taking the time to make the video

[@jason.hartson]

I'm a little late to this party, but a great video. One tip for the kdss reinstallation, put the outer ends together first and hand tighten the bolts, then use a jack to lift the bar up and into the kdss cylinder and static arm. You reinstalled the opposite way, which I did my first time as well and it was a big pain. I've removed and reinstalled mine several times now with minimal effort.

[@ExitOffroad]

Thanks man. Yeah. You're right. The next few times, I did it the way you said

[@jason.hartson]

@@ExitOffroad Awesome! Thanks for the vid on the LCA replacement. I'm shopping for replacement arms now so this is on the list to do.

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

excellent video explanation... and nice GX460 👌

[@ExitOffroad]

Thanks! 👍

[@matthewmoser2090]

Mike keep up the DIY videos. also quick question. will you be running a dobinson suspension sale soon :) thanks~!

[@ExitOffroad]

Thanks man!! Yeah, black Friday will be the next one. Not sure when it will start though as we usually only get 1 day advance notice

[@iQuantium]

Mike, Thanks for doing this video. I am preparing to replace the drivers side CV needle bearing with ECGS bushing and want to know how to handle the KDSS. I don't have to remove the LCA but apparently I do have to disconnect the swaybar. 1) Would'nt it be easier if the shudder valves were open for detaching the swaybar? 2) If i open the shutter valves do I have to get all 4 wheels off the ground so the system stays balanced? I think you left the shutter valves closed on this video. Thanks

[@ExitOffroad]

You can leave the sway bar on to pull out the CV shaft and do that job. The lower arm is still a little in the way but it can be done. I recently did it on mine but didn't finish the video yet. I didn't touch the valves and it was still balanced fine when put on the ground.

[@iQuantium]

@@ExitOffroad Fantastic, it is a relief to hear that! Time for me to get It done.

[@johnromylgordula483]

Hi did you had to loosen the kdss valve first when doing these job?

[@ExitOffroad]

I did. It's hard to get the piston to go back up if you don't loosen them

[@vladd5291]

Thank you for the video! Why did you decide to replace the LCAs altogether instead of just replacing the consumables (bushings, ball joints)? Did you use Toyota’s LCAs? Any consideration given to aftermarket? Thanks!

[@ExitOffroad]

The lower ball joints were toast. I used aftermarket because of the price and availability. Replacing ball joints and bushings in the arms is incredibly hard without shop tools, so replacing the full arms is a lot easier for a DIY job

[@vladd5291]

@@ExitOffroad thanks! I see you used OE style arms, bushings, etc. how have they been holding up? Have you considered aftermarket arms like TC or Dirt King?

[@ExitOffroad]

Holding up fine. Only 6 months old though. They were less than $300 I think shipped

[@ahmadabdullah5940]

Thank you for the explaination, i recently got the GX460 2022 luxury trim but i am really annoyed by how stiff is the OEM suspentions and thinking of replacing them with Dobinsons IMS (only the suspentions). What do you think? Any one tried to do so and got huge improvements in terms of ride comfort and stability?

[@ExitOffroad]

I've never had anyone describe the stock suspension on that vehicle as stiff. Dobinsons suspension firms it up. Adding any lift would firm it up

[@trashpanda_t4r]

Are those the Mevotech LCA’s? Any feed back on them or the overall quality? I have their tie rod ends and the boots have torn after less than 6 months.

[@ExitOffroad]

Yes they are. 6 months later and they're fine. The paint isn't holding up so great though.

[@JakeJake2308]

Tightening the front lca on the ground. Do I have to do anything in particular so the alignment doesn't change?

[@ExitOffroad]

When you tighten the main bolts, it doesn't turn the cams. Turning the cams is what changes the alignment

[@matthewmoser2090]

you can loosen the cam bolts without changing the alignment i believe. thats the process i will use when i swap out my front coilovers on my 4runner. ( will leave the tie rod and upper control arm connected)

[@JakeJake2308]

@@matthewmoser2090 yup! Thank you. Did it yesterday. Got a few turns in. Still looking for the mysterious noise. 😆

[@Andron-007]

What was your symptoms for bad LCA?

[@ExitOffroad]

The boots on the ball joints had gotten damaged and there was no more grease in there. Also the threads where the KDSS mounts were damaged on two of them, so I wanted to get that replaced as well.

[@Andron-007]

@@ExitOffroad was your ride rough too?Mine has lke no grease to put there is no play

[@ExitOffroad]

@Andron-007 no. They had only just gone out a week before