The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[riber3]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question has anybody had any issues with their rear axle upper control arms?

The one I have got well, its not so much as a Pop or a Crackle but it is definitely snapped!! (drivers side rear)

So I was wondering if there was an issue with these parts? Its on a 1997 Colorado.

[Google]

[modvrs]

I'm not aware of any inherent weaknesses in the links, my 1997 95 series is still on the originals at 200,000 miles. The towers that connect them to the axle are known for rusting through as the drain holes block up easily, I had to weld mine a couple of years ago. Replacement struts are available at Roughtrax, Milners and elsewhere.
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1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado 3.4VX

[riber3]

[modvrs]

Could be worth checking the bushes on the panhard rod and the main trailing arms. I guess if they were a bit slack and allowed too much sideways movement the upper locating rods could snap due to side loading.
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1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado 3.4VX

[riber3]

Thanks for that I will check them out but the car just came back from MOT and no mention of the parts but will check anyway

[Andyk80]

Mine had a snapped upper arm when I bought it, but the old one was very old and rusted, so I assume just snapped due to fatigue etc.  Replacement upper arms were pretty cheap if I remember right.

[riber3]

[Andyk80]

It's worth mentioning I did the upper and lower arms (came with new bushes) and fitted an adjustable panhard rod (with poly bushes) at the same time.  modvrs's comment about bush wear would be well worth considering.  I bought my truck in a fair old state, so it's entirely possible worn bushes were an underlying cause on mine as well.  Best way to sidestep all that would be replace upper + lower arms and the panhard at the same time if viable.  They were all significantly rusted on mine, just potentially too thick to snap unless under some serious load.

[riber3]