upper control arm replacement help

So I’m driving to socal from NorCal on Thursday night. Just found out from the dealer my UCA on the driver side is bad (they said really bad). Anyways truck is lifted with BP-51’s and ARB uca’s now. I need to replace it asap, like tomorrow. Only place that has control arms in stock is 4wp.

anyone know anything about these control arms?

$756 4WP Factory Tacoma Tubular Front Upper Control Arms - 57006B

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/4wp-f...nt-upper-control-arms-57006b/_/R-4WPBR-57006B

 

What is bad about your current one?
Bushings?
Ball joint?

 

They said the ball joint I believe. I’m going to pick up the truck now and get more info

 

It’s the top bushings actually

 

Top bushings where it is bolted to the frame? I don't believe those will cause a catastrophic failure like a ball joint but they can cause noises and poor tire wear.

Are you currently running the original UCAs?

 

Ok here’s the scoop. I think I got it figured out.

I was hearing a loud cracking noise whenever I turned right as slow speeds. I couldn’t figure out what it was myself so I resorted to a shop. The only one that would fit me in quick was the local dealer. They said the front upper control arm bushings are blown. They would not replace them because I’m running the ARB UCA’s.

upon some further investigation by myself, I figured out that the bushings are wearing and it’s causing the UCA to move back and forth when turning slowly, even when it’s fully torqued to spec. Only happens when I’m hard over on the wheel, so I’m going to replace it when I have time but I don’t think it’s urgent. I believe the stealership was being a tad dramatic in saying it needed replacement immediately

 

Will be talking to ARB/OME as these control arms and bushings are less than 30k miles old.

 

Take photos of how they are mounted. Maybe some washers weren't installed like they are supposed to. Also, people tend to torque the bolts down while the wheels are drooped that causes the bushes to be twisted when brought down to ride height. I'd get your LCA bushings checked as well

 

For that price I'd get the Mevotech/ SPC uppers from rockauto.com.

 

it could be the LCA bushings as well. Dealer didn’t say anything about them but I believe they checked them. After looking over them myself there’s no visible signs of the bushings being totally loose. But they probably are original at 167k miles.

 

They are missing the inner washers on both ends. How much does that contribute to early failure? I can't say but they were not installed properly

Edit: uncertain if they need inner washers or not now

 

You sure? after looking up some other pictures I don’t see inner washers on other installs. Why would it take 30k miles for the issue to come up if they were installed incorrectly?

 

I suppose it is worth to note as well, the dealer said they torqued all suspension components to spec. Once I drove away the crack/pop didn’t happen, but then came back once I got home

 

huh good point, I'll edit my original post. However, the official arb usa website shows for the Tacoma UCAs this photo below that shows inner washers. I found their installation manual but it's terrible, vague, and with terrible black and white photos. If anything, I would look into another UCA brand if this has left a sour taste in your mouth, then try and warranty the OME UCAs out, and after you get a new set, maybe ask ARB to clarify on inner or no inner washers.

 

Hmm. Yeah I think it’s worth a call to them. I do believe that picture ^ is of a 4Runner or something else… wheel well looks a little different. But I would imagine they should be fairly similar. I’ll do more investigating and keep the thread posted. Thx for the help!

 

I have a shop in Thousand Oaks! If you want to swing by for another set of eyes to check it out before your drive home shoot me a message!

 

That would be great! I’ll shoot you a pm.

 

I think I have it figured out. Dealer I believe was wrong in the diagnosis of the uca bushings being shot. I torqued the lower control arm cam bolts and found one to be slightly loose. After torquing, the noise went away. I’ll most likely be replacing the LCA’s pending another look by Cody^

 

Update: after much confusion, diagnosis is the UCA ball joint is bad, LCA and UCA bushings are fine. @1GR-FE<3R was super helpful in figuring this out and I would highly recommend him if you’re close to Thousand Oaks.
UCA’s will be replaced under the 3 year warranty by ARB.

 

Nice that members be helping out!