JBA Offroad Upper Control Arms And Suspension MEGA Thread BS thread

Seeing if I could get some advice for a possible JBA control arm upgrade. I'm currently running OME 884 with Bilstien 5100 up front and Dakars with an overload removed in the rear. I've posted my latest alignment specs below.

Would JBA UCAS be necessary to get me closer to the often recommended 3/0/0 alignment specs, or would these give too much caster for my 2-inch lift up front?

 

Don't touch it and take it back to that so called "Professional" and make them correct their mistake! Make them pay every penny of the repair!

 

https://youtu.be/huMztKaHsUE

 

I just got my alignment specs back after installing JBAs with a 2.5” lift. I know JBA suggests 3* of caster. Is is bad to have more than that and is the disparity between the left and right sides indicative of any issues. I am currently sitting at 5.1/6.1.

 

Does anyone remember if JBA ever came out with a recall on their paint flaking? I know mine are quite a few years old but I thought the powder coat would hold up better. Any info on the matter would be appreciated, thanks!

 

Sorry, I don't know. My 2 cents... I would just e-mail them and complain and see what they will do. In my experience they are a good company to work with. Or just clean them and rattle can?

 

I know he had problems with the silver coating on the ball joint rusting very quick but I wasn’t sure about the red powder coating. I had the off to do the new EZ lube bushings and theyre back on the truck now so I’m not going to worry about it lol

 

Indirect answer: Caster is also a product of frame angle, if the truck has a rake forward/backwards caster can be different, just as it changes when you have a load in the bed or a trailer causing squat.

More direct answer: are you noticing any pulling? Caster pulls to the lower #. Unless you are noticing any front end shimmy on the highway, it really shouldn't be an issue. I usually try for the 4.5° mark on our trucks when I align them. Your return to center at low speeds must be amazing though lol.

 

JBA running any TW discount or just order straight from their site?

 

They generally dont do discounts. I tried when i attempted to order two sets.

 

They did not install these correctly. They should have put the thinner washers on the inside of the bushings and the thicker on the outside, not stacked. These kinds of errors are why I try to do everything myself.

Somehow just found this thread and I've had my JBA HD's for about a year and love them. My truck is sitting @ 4.2° caster with -0.5° camber up front on both sides and I've never had a vehicle easier to drive or track straighter.

 

Appreciate the info from this thread. I've got a set of JBA's installed and hoping to correct a few things with an alignment next week. Along with the install of the UCA's I added a set of 35's. Needless to say it's been a heck of a job tubbing for clearance. I'm hoping once I get the alignment it'll solve the slight rubbing that I have on the passenger side. Hoping to talk to the alignment tech and have them push for max castor. Seems to be a range from this thread with 3*-5.5*. I'll be interested to see what my numbers are.

 

My JBA’s are around 6 years old. Do you think it’s time to replace the bushing and ball joints?

 

Yes.....Yes......and oh.....BTW......YES! I replaced mine after 3 but in all honesty, depends on how many miles, and whether you are really good at keeping up with Greasing them. I will say that the newer bushings and the newer boots on the BJ's and waaaaay better.

 

The new boots are nicer, but I have the old other parts, so they don't really zip tie up right. I might replace the entire thing in 3 years time.

 

Hey guys I got a set 2 years ago with the old style boot they make a mess with grease coming out don’t like it at all. anyone know if I can get new BJ ‘s or just get new upgraded boots ?
TIA

 

I had the same problem as you did and let it go on for too long. I went through JBA and got these:

https://jbaoffroad.com/jba-upper-ball-joint-k6292.html

They are the updated boot and I haven’t had any issues with them so far.



I tried to find a pic showing them but this is as close as I could get.

 

Looking at that, I just realized that they updated the ball joint mount. No wonder when I installed the replacements the zip ties weren't holding on. I guess I'll buy the entire replacements at some point.

 

Thanks for the info and yes I also let it go to far out off warranty I guess I’ll reach out to then and see how it goes . Nice hardware under there BTW !!!

 

Good luck man, I appreciate it.