Total Chaos UCA how-to Install

Thanks brotha!

 

Thanks for the quick reply Chris4x4. Looks like Ill be buying TC control arms. I really need to get this alignment fixed asap.

-Bart

 

Subbed for the future

 

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So if I were doing coilovers and UCAs at the same time, I follow these instructions then swap in the CO once the UCA is out?

 

Just did both, they are pretty much unrelated though, ie you can install either one without removing the other. I went UCA, then coilver though.

 

yes

 

I've got an 08 tacoma that came with TC UCA, the uniballs needed replacing, and upon removal, I see that whoever installed the last set must have gone WAY too hard with a hydraulic press, as the retaining cup/lip is pushed way out/folded over. I'm choked, I haven't gotten to the other side, but im hoping I can grind out the lip, measure the depth of my other one, and weld in a retaining ring/salvage the UCA.

I dont even know how this damage would be possible, outside of maybe when they were changed last they were attempting to push them out the wrong way? not paying attention when setting them up to be pressed out? I'm a HD mechanic, I realize shit happens. But this still sucks.

 

Nice write up. This just helped me make up my mind on what I was looking to do with my 03 Prerunner. I didn't know that it would help with the alignments. I have been considering just doing shocks and struts before, but think it is best to wait for now.

First post and love the forum.

 

Damn, have pics?

 

X2.... I gotta see this.

How was this not clearly visible during maintenance?

 

I'll throw some pics up tomorrow. I saved the UCA. There was scoring in each UCA, the one with the damaged lip being the worst. I'd say bearings being pushed in crooked with a hydraulic press.

As for the maintenance, I've has this truck for under a year and this was the first time ive had a tire off.. Field mechanic, so service truck was my DD, and I had a '00 Tacoma for wheeling. Sold the '00 and transferred to a shop position though, so my 08 is no longer just the grocery getter/mall crawler.

 

If these don't belong here, sorry. I'm a big fan of Total Chaos products, this damage is completely user error. The first pic is of the drivers side UCA (most damaged), after I had polished out the deep scoring as best I could. The Uni-ball assembly didn't push in as tight as I'd like, but I had to make it work for the time being.



Sorry for the bad pic, but if you look closely at the left of the UCA you can see the cup flared out slightly. I'm assuming this is from attempting to push the bearing out the wrong direction?


The retaining lip was pooched, I ground it out, measured the passenger side for the depth, pressed in a slice of the old bearing race and welded it in to act as a retainer.


Good reminder to any would be mechanics, use proper tooling, and most of all, your head. Or some poor fuck gets stuck farmer fixing your mess down the road. I will be replacing the UCA's asap, but it's fine for now.

 

Hey, I'm having a hell of a time trying to remove the stock ucas. I've got the long bolt out but can't seem to get the ball joint bolt out of the top of the spindle. I removed the nut of course; does it just slide up and out or is it threaded into the spindle? HELP!!

 

Cool, I got 'em out. I didn't want to hit it too hard with the hammer, but I guess that's what it takes. Now just need an alignment.

 

I am buying TC upper control arms and installing myself it looks straight forward thanks for the write up!! Sounds like the Total chaos are the best bang for the buck? I don't rock crawl maybe some mudding here and there its my daily driver.

So when i get the alignment I want?
0 camber
0 toe
2.9 caster correct

I have a 3" skyjacker lift kit with rear AAL on a 2013 tacoma dcsb sport.
My current alignment is within spec but my caster is at 1.4 on both sides roughly and it wanders more than I like, trying to get a better handling lifted truck and it sounds like this is the ticket.

Where should I buy these from BTW?
Thanks

 

Downsouth Motorsports......ftw. They are a vendor here. They are awesome.

 

Really struggling with my ball joint bolt too. Working with a damn claw hammer... is it even possible with a claw hammer or do I need to get a dead blow?