Help - SPC upper control arm install problem

Hello, all. I’m currently attempting to install my SPC upper controls arms on my 2018 Tacoma. I was able to get the stock UCA off on the drivers side by bending a bit of the inner fender as most people have to do in order to get the bolt out through the engine compartment. However, upon installation of the bolt through the new UCA, it seems I hit a wall every single time. I make it through the first bushing just fine, but the bolt hangs up every single time in the same place just right after the bolt goes through the bushing in the UCA toward the rear of the truck.

I’ve taken the bolt out twice just to verify that nothing is in the way both in the UCA and in the shock mount (and engine compartment). I’ve put the bolt through the UCA outside of the truck and it goes through like butter. Any ideas? Thanks. I’m at a loss here.

 

Honestly, no. Usually the hard part is getting it out. Have you tried reversing the way you put it in? Trying to put the bolt in from the side the nut was on?

 

I haven’t. Only because the brake lines are in the way and even if it went through, I wouldn’t want to put it through backwards for the final installation. Thx for your reply. I appreciate it.

 

Put the stock bolt through the upper mount/arm. Use another shorter bolt of similar diameter and insert from the opposite direction through the lower mount/arm to align the holes properly. Use the stock (long) bolt to push out the shorter alignment bolt through the lower mount/arm.

 

My understanding it that a lot of ‘pro’ installers do it that way. They cut the bolt head with a grinder and install a new bolt backwards so it can be removed again if need be. I forgot how I put it back in, but I really didn’t enjoy beating the shit out of my pinch weld.

 

i was able to bend stuff to get the driver side out and installed it back. I cut the passenger side and install it backwards

 

Thanks for everyone’s replies. I may try taking the bolt back out and grinding the flange down around the socket fitting. Maybe that’s what is keeping it from going through. It’s difficult to tell. I have literally taken a crow bar and a hammer and beat the bolt as hard as possible from inside the engine compartment and it’s still not going through. You would think as far as it is going through, the difficult part would be over with.

 

Don’t grind the parts to make them fit. That’s a sure way to do more expensive damage. If you can wait until tomorrow I’ll look over my setup and refresh my memory how I got it all back together.

 

That would be awesome. I sure appreciate it.

 

Ok man. I get up early so I should have a post up in here by 6am est.

 

Sounds good. Thanks again.

 

I ended up figuring it out. I attached a pair of vise grips to the bolt to give me some leverage, then pulled the inner fender out a bit with a pry bar ever so slightly while rotating and pulling the bolt with the vise grips toward the back of the truck and finally got it to seat.

I can’t wait to do the passenger’s side tomorrow. Those AC lines look like they’re completely in the way.

I appreciate everyone’s responses. You all are a great resource.

 

I’m pretty sure the passenger side was the easier one. You should be good dude.

 

I just looked over my set up and both bolts are back in going the factory direction. I’m remembering that I did have to get at them from under the hood a little bit though. How’d it go?

 

That’s because those guys suck and have no idea what they are doing.

 

I haven’t started yet. I’ll hopefully get a chance this afternoon. I’ll post back when I do. Hopefully it will all be worth it once those alignment numbers are in check.

 

All done! The passenger side was actually much easier as @DvS21 said. I used the vice grip technique from the get go on that one and was done within 20 minutes or so. Now, time for an alignment. Thanks again for everyone’s help.