LR UCA Bushings

the new system for the lr (not the poly ones) are to use the 8 washers they now supply

they should look like this a lil hard to see but washers go on both sides....
hope u didnt double them up
here is how it should look'

 

Couldn't tell ya if they were "spec ride" or not, but it looked like they had a surround nut holding them in. Not sure how to describe it, but if you took a screw driver and a hammer, you ccould unscrew the nut holding in the bushing. Now I wish I took more pics.

 

Ahh. So they did have a change in design between the old ones and the new polys.

 

That's exactly how they looked

 

The member I bought the UCA from is being AMAZING and has already ordered replacement washers and ball joint boots for me!

Before I knew he had done that, I contacted SPC and ordered the new Spec Ride bushing kit (which comes with all needed washers).
I really don't even know if I need new bushings. I just figured I might as well install the new 'hotness bushings' while I have the UCA off the rig.

In theory, with the new bushings and new ball joint boots(with new grease packed of course), I'll basically be installing new UCA that I have a little less $ in than a new set would cost.

 

Next question about the LR UCAs: Are you supposed to be able to freely move the ball joint? I bought a set used and I can move it by hand, but they're tough!

Also, can I use a penetrating oil like PB Blaster on the ball joint to try and free them up a bit?

A little background, I bought a set used and will be rebuilding them, new boots, new bushings.

 

yea the ball joint should move feely...not loose but free.....clean it lube it and put them on

 

Thanks! Can I use PB Blaster to help clean/free up the joint? I know people use teflon lube on uniballs but I wasn't able to find that at the autoparts store near me.

It'll be a while before they make it on the truck. I just got the new boots in the mail yesterday, new bushings are coming hopefully tomorrow.

 

I wiped mine clean with a rag. In my case, I didn't see the need for anything else. They looked brand new after being wiped down. I wouldnt use pb blaster because it may degrade the new greese you pack back in.

 

Thanks pAP. I'll just hit them with some brake cleaner, work them around a bit then pack them with new grease and hopefully they'll free up after some use.

 

Yea. The brake cleaner should evaporate quick enough to do that. The ball joints are naturally stiff. If they were loose... I'd be worried. So, don't go crazy trying to free them up.

 

Thanks, that's what I was wondering. They've freed up some as I've been messing with them but when I first got them, I couldn't hold the UCA in one hand and move the ball joint in the other. The only way they'd move was if I put the UCA on the floor, stood on them and used both hands. Maybe I'm getting weak in my old age but that seemed excessive! I'll give them a light clean up, pack em with grease and call it a day. Hopefully I can get them rebuilt and on the truck soon!

 

Hey Mike,
I replaced my bushings the other day (all but one that I botched and will be swapping out as soon as the replacement arrives).
Used a hack saw like we discussed. Its definitely slow going and labor intensive but I didn't cut into the housing ring too much. I used a dremel with a cutting wheel to cut the outer flange of the ring you'll be trying to remove.
Making a single cut wasn't enough to remove my outer bushing rings, so I ended up cutting a 'wedge' out. This wasn't too bad, other than having to saw two times each bushing.
Make sure you align the new Spec Ride bushings AWAY from the vent hole when installing. Otherwise you'll be in the same boat as me, replacing a brand new (now trashed) bushing...again.
Best of luck with the install!

 

Thanks for the tip! My new bushings should arrive tomorrow

I was able to get the ball joints freed up. I got the top piece in a vice and kept pushing at the threaded part and the more they moved the easier they got. They still take some pressure to move but I believe they're back to how a normal ball joint should act.