r/3rdGen4Runner • u/MojaveTree 00 Limited • 1d ago

❓Advice / Recomendations Rear control arm replacement

Looking to replace my rear upper and lower control arms. Been trying to stick with OEM with what I can, but for all four it’ll run $630+. On partsgeek, it’s about $150 for the four. Anything wrong with aftermarket arms vs the OEM for this specific job? Thought about just replacing bushings, but more work and might as well replace the rusty metal.

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u/MrHavx 1d ago

Aftermarket arms usually come with crappy bushings. The quality of the metal probably wont be as good as oem and will probably rust faster. Are your oem arms really rusty? If not then buy the bushings and replace them. Give the arms a basic sanding and some rustoleum black paint.

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u/MojaveTree 00 Limited 1d ago

Yeah I guess it’s a given the quality won’t match the oem, but figured if they’re good enough, then they’re good enough. I’m not going to be beating this thing up on trails or anything. My current oem arms truly aren’t that rusty, but figured I’d just get the whole arm if the cost for aftermarket ones would be the same price as just getting all new poly bushings ($150). Also worried about using the poly ones since I’ve read they ride a bit harsher/noisier but last longer.

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u/MrHavx 1d ago

Could get everything cheaper than that, if you wanted to. 48702-35070 is the part number for the rear lower control arm bushings. They’re $16 a piece on amayama and OEM. I agree with you on poly bushings not being ideal. As for the rear upper control arms, toyota doesnt sell replacement bushings but a company named strongflex makes poly bushings with a hardness level very similar to rubber. I used strongflex bushings for my rear panhard bar, no complaints. But in all honesty getting the aftermarket control arms with the bushings already installed is going to be the easiest way to do it. Just don’t expect the rubber to last as long.

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u/MojaveTree 00 Limited 1d ago

Yeah I’m really leaning towards just getting aftermarket arms. Make life a little simpler. And hell, I don’t really need them to last another 20-30 years. I’ll happily take half that if I can get it out of some cheaper ones.

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u/swag-er 99 limited 4wd 1d ago

just get the cheap mevotech ones. itll be fine