Need help with UCA’s

hi all. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good set of upper control arms. There are so many out there and it’s hard to pic. I have 3.5 “ lift and have some pretty good steering wheel shake.

 

Light racing aka SPC

 

I'm running Built Rights and have had zero issues with them.

 

What type of 3.5" lift and tire brand and size?

 

I’m running Total Chaos .No problem ,just keep them clean and lubed . I’m at about 3” of lift

 

There are 2 main types of UCAs, Uniball and Ball Joint. Uniball can squeak and make noises as the ball is open to the environment and requires more maintenance. All of the brands below offer either added Camber and Caster, static or adjustable and will work with lifted trucks.

Ball Joint: SPC Light Racing, JBA, Icon, and others

UniBall: Total Chaos, Icon, Camburg, and others.

 

Thanks everyone. I thin the SPC look good. Any one else like these

 

I have them and they offer adjustable Ball joints which is nice but most shops (Firestone and other chain shops) don't like to touch them. Unless you want to take it to an independent shop that will spend more time on you rather than pushing numbers through like sheep I would go with something else.

 

Get some chaos UCA. The uniballs will last a while. I live in Utah with a long travel kit. So I have both upper and lower uniballs. I have had long travel for the past 7 years and am on a second set of uniballs.

Stay away from brands that have uniballs covers (icon) . Water and dirt get trapped under the cap and will cause premature wear. It's a nice concept but poorly executed. I have seen two four runners that have had failing uniballs due to the covers. Also, I think it's a lack of maintenance. Most people won't remove the covers to inspect, thus the problem is two sided.

Just flush the UCA with some water to get mud and dirt out of the uniball cup, then lube with some Teflon spray.

 

I only have experience with JBA, but based on the product, price, alignment, and customer service from Marlin, they've got my vote.

 

Depending on if you experience a winter or not will narrow down your options.

SPC is a 100% sealed joint so it’s completely protected from the elements. Very little maintenance besides the occasional grease pump. It also adds a lot of alignment adjustability.

Next would be TC or Camburg. Camburg utilizes a 1.25” FK uniball so it’s a big bigger and stronger than TCs 1” BUT it’s completely open so you have to constantly keep them clean and lubed.

Camburg just released a new arm with a dust cover on the uniball for extra protection.

Another great choice to keep the performance of a uniball but keep maintenance down would be Icons Delta Joint. It’s a semi sealed system that’s been working very well and doesn’t have the side effects of a open uniball.

Either way I stock all these brands. Hit me up if you have anymore questions and would like a deal

 

I have JBA, very pleased with them. Like the fact you don’t have to deal with the maintenance of a uniball.

 

Another vote for JBA.

 

I like the fact that it's also a solid, proven GM ball joint that's been used for a long long to me.

 

Do yourself a favor and get a pair of these. They will save you the hassle of hammering the shit out of your inner fenders to get the stock ones out. Just loosen the rear nut, chop the head off the stock bolt and then you can remove it the opposite way. Install the new ones from the rear to front and use original nuts.

 

I second this. I did the driver side the normal way. But the passenger side definitely got cut.

 

That is a horrible idea. DO NOT put that bolt in from the rear. If the nut for any reason were to come off the bolt can slide out and your uca will fall out. What the hell are you thinking put that bolt in from the rear.

 

Once a horrible idea. What are y’all thinking

 

If it's torqued correctly there's no reason it should "come off"
BTW, your truck is full of bolts that could be dangerous IF they fell off

 

Have you ever seen one loose? Proper torque, and some loctite, plus all the shit behind it....I'm more likely to get hit by lightning.