I'm kinda stumped on this one. I'm basically doing a frame on resto of my 99 and I'm at the point where I'm putting the front steering and suspension components back together. When I removed the LCA's there was a good bit of rust on each component and had to fight each one. I got three of them, but one of them I had to cut out because the bolt (pictured) was rusted in the sleeve. I'm still waiting on Toy of Dallas to send the parts.

Now that I'm thinking of reassembly is it okay to lubricate any of these parts so they do not seize up again?

The stock LCA bushings were frozen in place. I had to drill the rubber and then notch the sleeve with a recip saw to basically bend the sleeve out. Before pressing in new, can the out sized of the bushing sleeve be lightly lubed?

Is it okay to put a light coat of lube on the sleeve that goes into the bushings or on the bolt itself once the LCA is back in place? As you can see from the photo this particular sleeve had a good bit of rust and one of my others (not pictured) had to be cut because it rusted in place.

The reason I ask is I'm wondering if putting a light coat of anti seize will mess up being able to align the front once I'm done.

 

Anyone know?

My thinking is if all the components are lubricated, then how will turning the cam bolt move the LCA? Wouldn't the sleeve in the picture turn in the bushing without actually 'catching' it if there was some anti-sieze on it?

Does what I'm asking make sense?

 

Good luck...I was directed to YotaTech as the site for tech regarding early Tacomas and 4Runners. As I was searching for my answer I found several what would appear as simple tech questions asked here with no answer. I posted a question and 127 views later in 4 days with no answers. I actually got my answer on another auto forum in a passing tech conversation. FYI-try other auto tech forums as you may get your answer with accurate and concise replies promptly or call a Pro which deals with building suspensions and they will be able to answer questions quickly.

 

This is a good question, but alas I'm one of those dumbass YT members that doesn't know anything. Your best bet would be to ask one of the service writers or better yet a tech at your local dealer and see what they say. That or find a shop that does this kind of work and maybe they'll be nice enough to let you know. Otherwise, find an online FSM that might give you specs and rebuild steps. I found this one. The one I usually go to says it's been taken down though.

 

It shouldn't affect it just don't put the anti-seize on the flat washer side of the bolt because that where the friction is that holds it in place... just try to remove the rust with a wire brush or bench wheel

 

Agreed, on the adjustment bolt itself inside the sleeve is okay. Not anywhere else. I read your post twice and couldn't tell if you were also asking about putting some sort of lube on the bushing itself before pressing in? Do NOT do this. Knuckles, control arms, bushings, and balljoints are usually washed or otherwise kept clean to make sure the press-in force and friction involved is to specification.

 

I'm replacing my bushings right now too. I'm using energy suspension polyurethane bushings. Fwiw they come with a lubricant. I'll look at where it's supposed to go and post back in the morning.

 

outside and inside the bushing. Not anywhere on the cam adjusters like before mentioned.

 

Thanks for the updates all. I went to another yota forum and they said lubing is fine on the cam sleeve outside and also the bolt. I did not put any on the backside of the cam adjusters and it makes sense you would not want to put them there.

As for the bushings themselves I'm torn. Although I already have them done and in, when you do poly bushings you do have lube the bushing itself as JBurt said. I put Light Racing UCA's on both my 4R and Taco and they have poly bushings that require lube. There's no way those things will ever back out.

Even if one was to put a light coat on anti-sieze on stock bushings I don't see how it would hurt. They are still so tight they will be pressed in and any lube in the way would be forced out from the pressing. I guess it would be better to be on the safe side and don't do it (and also - for as long as they last I would not imagine anyone ever needing to put a third set in).