just ordered new UCA's! any tips?

I just ordered some light racing uca's and was wondering if anyone has some tips for the insatll or tools that I may need that are outside of regular hand tools? any input is greatly appreciated.

 

very nice, let us know how the install goes, if you dont mind how much did you pay for them and where did you get them from?

 

You saw this, right? Should also apply to your LRs.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/14507-total-chaos-uca-how-install.html

 

Install is pretty straightforward. Just be sure to secure the spindle after you remove the ball joint so it doesn't flop around and thrash the brake lines.

Oh, and be careful around any fuel and data lines in the vicinity while you do your thing.

Matter of fact, just be gentle with all lines you encounter. Other than that, it's just bolts and a little plier work.

 

i just installed mine the other day, i got some replacement bolts from the dealer ship so the install would go smoother, if not, your going to have to bend the inside part of the fender to get the bolt out and there are some lines in the way, you will find out if you chose to do it, its a pain but it can be done. why toyota put these in this way is just plain dumb. i helped another member with pulling these out and let me tell you the 22 bucks for new bolts are well worth it. to make things easier another person would be nice. i did some coilovers and LR uca's and it took me six hours. < taking my time

 

throw em on and enjoy!

 

Here's a few links that may be helpful.

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/01tacoma.html
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/allpro1inuni/allpro1inuni.htm
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/upballjointout/balljoint.htm
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/donahoeschaosarms/totalchaosdonahoes.htm

 

a radio and some cold beer also another set of hands is nice when trying to get the foot long bolt fed back through the new UCA. youll have to bend the inner wheel well a bit to get it out,then gettin it back in it needs to line up with washers and bushings so another set of hands is definitly helpful. also a torque wrench will be needed if you dont already have one.

 

i paid 540 i think with shipping and i got them from kamloops bc at baja north. just easier for me since im in canada dont want the hassle with the border and buying local is good thing too.

i just installed mine the other day, i got some replacement bolts from the dealer ship so the install would go smoother, if not, your going to have to bend the inside part of the fender to get the bolt out and there are some lines in the way, you will find out if you chose to do it, its a pain but it can be done. why toyota put these in this way is just plain dumb. i helped another member with pulling these out and let me tell you the 22 bucks for new bolts are well worth it. to make things easier another person would be nice. i did some coilovers and LR uca's and it took me six hours. < taking my time

so if i were to just gfet new bolts would i still have to bend the fender in order to get the new bolt in?

thanks for all the help guys and ill be sure to have some brews and a radio going along with a few helpers who are in it for the beer ahah.

 

Mine come in tomorrow

 

On my 02, which should be pretty much exactly as your 03, except I dont have the ABS wire to deal with, I didn't have any real issues with the UCA bolt. I did have to take off the air bag sensor because it was in the way, and I choose to remove the air box and battery for a little more room, but I didn't have to bend anything. It was tight and had to be wiggled in a little, but nothing close to needing to bend anything for.

As far as extra tools, your upper ball joint is going to be on tight (not the bolt/nut, but being seated in the knuckle and UCA). I recommend renting a ball joint press to remove it. Dont skimp with a cheap one as you really need to put some pressure on to get that ball joint to pop out. I dont know if you have Checkers there, but that is where I rented my press from (Looked like a heavy duty C-Clamp). Also, I got tired of fussing with both ends of the ball joint when I really didn't care about the old UCA, so I just cut the ball joint in half with a saws-all. Makes it a bit easier to deal with two halves instead of the whole.

An impact wrench helps as well, as always.

 

i will second the motion on using a BJ press,that wouldve made life easier when i did mine but i wasnt able to find one.ended up doing the same as Manlaan;cuting it with a sawzall and beating it out.

 

yeah to get it out i have a pickle fork to get the old uca apart from the spindle.

 

you won't have to bend any metal if you cut the bolt out, just loosen enough to get a saw blade in there, i used a saws all with 6 in. blade, just watch out for the alternator on passenger side and the drivers side is clear mostly. i have a 2.7, drivers side the bolt is just long enough to seem its too long, remember you want to put the new bolts in from the rear of truck to front, i had to get around 4 i want to say fuel line but not sure, i had to bend the bolt towards the engine and tap the bolt past these. As far as removing stock uca from spindle arm i just hammered it out of there, my truck is fairly new so its not like it was rusted or hard to remove. best of luck but i have very litlle mechanical skills and did this myself so as far as i am concerned anyone can do it.