2nd gen UCA install

So, I found 4 hours of free time yesterday and overambitiously planned to install a lift at 1 hour per corner.

I ran into an issue that I haven't found much search results for so I wanted to post this up for future users and to get an answer on something that has been bothering me. I'm sure its well known I just didn't type the right search words I guess.

When I replaced the UCAs, the long ass bolt slid out in the front bumper direction and smacked some body piece/rib flange/apron thingy preventing it from coming out. So I beat the shit of that to make room to remove the bolt.

When reinstalling, i just put it in the other way, from the back sliding towards front.

Whats bothering me is why didn't toyota install them in that direction at the factory....or were they supposed to be installed in that direction originally?

Anyway, this slowed me down and took 3 hours to do just the front. Now i'm temporarily bro style with goofy street tires.

...to be continued

 

hah!

 

ha! sounds like last time i did anything on my truck... ever

 

Maybe I should have cut it... didn't think of that. substantial bolt, sparks.. painted my apron body work though to try to protect it.

good to know it was assembled per their plan though. not sure how i would have felt if my truck was assembled incorrectly...

 

I'd say the stock UCA's were put on before the body panels. Auto manufactures don't really care about making working on stuff easier for the average guy.

If I was a betting man I would say that the factory service manual used at the dealership calls for the side front quarter panels to be removed to replace the UCA.

I just bent the sheet metal and installed backwards like everyone else here.

 

Just said F it and cut the bolt on my 3rd gen... same situation where it hits when trying to pull it out.

 

Thanks guys, these are good responses.

 

Bend the sheet metal out of the way and install the bolt the right way, same as factory.

Bending the sheet metal is easy with big 16" channel locks.

If you install the bolt upside down and nut becomes loose and falls off, it could be a catastrophe if the bolt were to slide out at interstate speeds... as the front end would collapse.

If you do choose to install the bolt updside down consider double nutting the bolt and lock tight.

 

I always consider, and prefer, double nutting.

 

Exactly, the body is dropped onto the chassis at some point after the driveline is already in place.

The FSM doesn't describe how they intended this to happen.
The steps they list:

1. Remove front wheel
2. Inspect UCA for damage or loose ball joint
3. Separate skid control (ABS) wire
4. Remove upper arm (support, use ball joint SST)
5. Remove skid control bracket
6. Remove bolt, 2 washers, nut
7. Remove arm

Badda bing, batta boom, just that easy.

Thing is Toyota also decided that replacing the upper ball joint means replacing the whole upper control arm, so it's something that had to come up at some point, if not during the design engineering then when they wrote the service instructions or preparing any classes they would do for techs. I could see a detail like this being overlooked on 2005 models but why not add a notch to later sheet metal?

 

Boonie is correct. With that said I cut mine out reinstalled backwards with locktite and torqued to spec. I'm not stressing about it but I frequently inspect my truck. There is always the risk they fall out.

 

Whoops, I deleted what i said, I noticed it had been repeated above, but you should install it the way it came out, if the nut falls off, the bolt could slide out and you lose your UCA.

 

Oh, I'm glad I posted this just for the contacts... I was lurking for a few months on a bunch of you guys' posts. I may have even spent two entire days reading Crom's thread while at work. but you guys are giving me the heebie jeebies now. I already re-installed backwards and repaired my aprons/bodywork. I'll add lock-tite and double nut but no way I'm yanking those things now and reversing them.

 

know whats cool? guy showing me how to add a leaf without taking leaf pack off.

know what sucks? adding a leaf and not paying attention to the new shim, and cutting the center pin when done [with original shim].

know whats really cool? guy in first line having 20 center pins on hand

tires and pics thursday am.