Introduction:
Chances are, if you own a Toyota or Lexus truck or SUV, you’ve heard of seized alignment cam adjusters (also called eccentrics) in control arms. Let’s break down why this happens, what to look for, and why fixing it might cost you more than a trip to the dentist.
Why Do Alignment Cams Fail?
Your alignment cams are the unsung heroes of your suspension system, quietly being used to adjust your wheels’ alignment to ensure proper handling and tire wear. But they live a tough life, bolted to the frame and control arms, exposed to every salty winter road, muddy trail, and the splash of rain you throw at your vehicle. Over time, dirt, corrosion, and rust work their evil magic, welding those cams to the control arms like nature’s unwanted superglue.
Now, when it’s time for an alignment, those once-adjustable cams refuse to budge. Or worse… an untrained technician cranks on the adjusters thinking he has broken them loose only to realize they are still seized and they ruined the rubber bushing causing cracks and tears that will cause poor handling and tire wear.
Symptoms:
Unfortunately there's no real symptom of cam adjuster failure as you only really know when you need to adjust the arm for the alignment or remove the arm and realize you can’t.
- This is why anytime we recommend a steering or suspension repair we double check all adjusters are free to move. Ensuring we don’t find out later causing an unexpected extra expense and additional time.
- We also check the adjusters in any of our paid inspections like a Pre-Purchase Inspection or Pre-Lift Inspection
Why Are Cam Adjusters So Expensive to Fix?
This is where things get spicy—and by spicy, we mean “time-consuming and labor-intensive.” Fixing seized alignment cams often requires the following steps:
- Lets cut to the chase - Literally, we found with experience it's a faster repair if we opt to just cut the bolts out. Instead of potentially spending hours air hammering, torching the bolts out and potentially causing damage to the arms.
- Replacing the Control Arms: In many cases, trying to salvage the old control arms isn’t worth it. If the adjusters are seized, just think how stuck the metal casing that holds the bushing to the arm is. Rather than wasting hours trying to salvage the old arms by torching and cutting, we find replacing the entire lower control arm is often the best long-term solution as you get all new bushings and a new lower ball joint for some models.
- Of course, after installing new arms and cams, your wheels need a fresh alignment to restore proper handling.
- All this to just put another soon to rust adjuster in there? No way! We only use quality problem solving parts like SPC adjusters. A local company that specializes in alignment cures and solutions. The SPC adjusters have a protective sleeve preventing rust and corrosion from welding the two parts together.
- We also use a liberal amount of anti-seize. Pretty self explanatory compound. It's like grease but with a metallic factor preventing corrosion. Allowing for buttery smooth alignments.
All of this takes time, skill, and specialized tools. And trust us—this is not a fun DIY job unless you’re an experienced wrench-turner with a workshop that doubles as a battlefield.
The Bottom Line:
Seized alignment cams in Toyota and Lexus trucks and SUVs are a classic example of “small part, big problem.” The combination of exposure to the elements and years of wear make this a common yet frustrating issue.
While the repair isn’t cheap, replacing the control arms and doing it right the first time will save you headaches in the long run.
So next time your alignment goes rogue, don’t blame yourself—blame those rust-loving cams. And when you’re at the shop watching sparks fly during the torching phase to address cam adjuster failure, just think: at least someone’s getting a good workout.
