LR UCA Bushings

Are the bushings hard to replace on the LR UCA's? I saw quite a few threads where people have had issues with the bushings and SPC took care of it, but no threads on how to replace them yourself. Any special tools required?

 

i am one of the ones who had them replaced.......
that being said i hear they are real close to releasing the poly bushings as a repair kit for them.....
i have never removed the bushings but its safe to say it would be the same process as cutting out the lca bushings......
i dont see it as being to haard of a job.......
mabye a jig saw with a metal blade a few slices and be carefull not to score the side and tap it out
just my .02

 

Thanks! I did read through your thread and Boyd's LCA bushing thread. I e-mailed Toytec and Metaltech trying to find a replacement set of bushings to see if they even sell them. If I get a replacement set, I'll follow up on this thread with the install (hopefully those poly bushings come out, that would be the way to go!).

 

the bushings are being offered from spc "lr"

 

I left them off, I e-mailed them also looking for the bushing part numbers. SPC's and LR's website catalogs are horrible for looking up parts. One of them should be able to get ahold of just the bushings!

 

spc company will be selling the bushing since it is their arms......
they will be poly bushings ...
not sure if available yet but soon...call them...they have sone of the best customer service i have ever delt with.....
hell i sent them a fax at like 1am est and gota call from them early the next morning.....

 

BGR, you're right, very quick response. Here's what I got from SPC:

"We do not currently have a replacement bushing kit available. We are developing a new style of bushing that will be stronger than the previous design. These new style bushings will be available to retrofit the older arms. We are currently projecting April/May for the release date for these retrofit kits."

 

tagg'd I just installed my LR UCA's hoping my bushing hold up.

 

If they're new you shouldn't have any issues (at least not for a while). Hopefully by the time yours wear out that new poly bushing kit will be available. I'm looking to get a used set but the bushings look torn up so I'd want to swap them out before installing to save me some labor from doing it twice. This might help you if you're ambitious and handy. I really like the idea of making them servicable:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/96552-lr-uca-bushing-mod.html

 

I don't mean to threadjack with noobie questions. Just not sure my questions warrant a new thread.
I just purchased used LR UCA from another member.

What you see is what I received, nothing else. Do I have everything I need to install, or am I lacking some hardware?
Also, below is a picture of worn boot on the ball joint.

Is this OK or should I be looking into a new ball joint? Obviously, I'd rather not. I kinda made the purchase prematurely, but live and learn I guess.
Again, sorry for being such a noob

 

How long do the bushings usually last anyways?

 

you are missing some washers that you need to put on either side of the bushings. Without the washers the UCA's slide as they are a bit wider than the OEM UCA. Other than that the only other thing is a cotter pin for the ball joint.

 

Any suggestions on where to acquire the needed washers? Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, or do I need to contact LR? Any thoughts on the ball joint boots? Thanks for the help.

 

sub'd

 

The ball joint looks ok, if there is a tear I'd swap it out now as it's easier. As for the washer I'd contact LR directly as I don't know what the exact spacing is.

 

You already have the washers... they are on the old UCA bolts in your truck right now. You just reuse them.

I would pull the boots of the BJ, clean the old grease out and repack with new grease.

Also, check those bushings for separation. If they look good, they will last a long time.

 

You can buy new BJ boots almost anywhere automotive. Or take the BJ's to a good mechanic and see if they can get new boots on them for you along with packing new grease in. As for the washers, the LR UCA's came with 8 total additional washers. They are about 3x as thick as hardware store washers, so you should probably contact the company for them. They are needed along with the original stock washers on the control arm bolt. I suggest buying new UCA to frame bolts as well. Makes for an easier install.

 

Thats odd. My original LR UCAs did not come with any washers. You just reused the old washers. The New LR Spec Ride bushing UCAs come with 8 washers now and you don't reuse the old washers at all. But they havnt officially been released.

 

Just did an install on XCMtnMan's truck today. He had bought th LR's a few weeks ago. They came with 8 thick washers and we reused the stock as well. The new UCA's were wider on the inside, so 2 washer on the inside to fill the gap, and the bushings were thinner than stock, so 2 on the outside of the oem washers to avoid running out of thread on the bolt.

 

Thats crazy. Never seen that. I had a set on my FJ and it was the same as I have now. Do you know if they are the new pivot bushings (Spec Ride) or are they the fussed rubber bushings? Maybe they changed something in the interim? I suggest backcountryj call SPC and find out what is needed with the UCAs you have. The are a pleasure to deal with.