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Total Chaos UCA Install Question

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by bigwill837, Jan 25, 2017.

  1. Jan 25, 2017 at 2:10 PM
    #1
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I am in the middle of installing my OME lift and Total Chaos upper control arms. I have the strut assembly removed from the truck, and the pin and castle nut off of the upper control arm.

    How do break apart the upper ball joint from the control arm? And how do I remove the assembly from the spindle? I've read to "use a ball joint puller" or to "use a hammer," but I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be pulling or hammering.

    Basically, how do I get from here:
    [​IMG]

    To here:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jan 25, 2017 at 2:12 PM
    #2
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas My truck is a whiner

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    Step 1: Beer
     
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  3. Jan 25, 2017 at 2:16 PM
    #3
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Step 2: Pizza
     
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  4. Jan 25, 2017 at 2:23 PM
    #4
    pray4surf

    pray4surf Well-Known Member

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    Atop the strut assembly are three bolts - remove those
    At the bottom of the strut assembly is one large bolt w/nut - remove that
    Disconnect the upper ball joint from the upper control arm - Do not strike the threaded stud unless you plan on on replacing the upper ball joint - you'll bugger up the threads. Here you can use a 'pickle fork' or simply strike the UCA with deadblow hammer.
    You may have to loosen/remove additional components (like the sway bar).

    Pizza and Beer are always encouraged
     
  5. Jan 25, 2017 at 3:34 PM
    #5
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    Deck plate mod Bilsteins All pro leaf springs All pro greasable shackles Camburg UCA Interior Led conversion Tundra TRD springs Extended SS brake lines Seat covers 33" yokos White herculined exterior
    What I had to do on mine is cut the ball joint right under the UCA to disconnect the UCA from the spindle. Then that gave me the ability to get the ball joint press in there to push the part remaining on the spindle out.

    I still have that UCA in my garage and cant for the life of me get that part of the ball joint out. I've tried everything. But luckily your replacing the UCA so no worries. Good luck.
     
  6. Jan 25, 2017 at 3:38 PM
    #6
    niko5055

    niko5055 Online personal trainer

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    Search for the total chaos UCA install on YouTube, it'll walk you through the whole thing
     
  7. Jan 25, 2017 at 3:41 PM
    #7
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    I think his problem is that its seized. I could be wrong though.
     
  8. Jan 25, 2017 at 3:51 PM
    #8
    ElTacom

    ElTacom Member

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    I just finished this project over the weekend. Was harder than I anticipated.

    To get the the UCA to disconnect from the ball joint I did it different on both sides:

    1: Cut the stud (under the UCA) with a sawzall (not recommended)
    2: Used a pickle fork and a hammer. Mine was in there pretty good but using enough force and pounding with the hammer eventually allowed the UCA to disconnect over the stud.

    To get the ball joint out I used a ball joint press. You can rent them from autozone but I just bought the set. You may want to get the adapters as well. The problem I ran into was that screw for the press wouldn't fit into the wheel well. You should have the spindle tied up so that the axle isn't too extended but if you allow the spindle to be totally free, you can then fit the press outside of the wheel well. It's going to take a lot of pressure to get the ball to pop out. I also used a torch around the spindle to help loosen it up as well as beat on it with a hammer.

    Good luck.
     
  9. Jan 25, 2017 at 4:13 PM
    #9
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the help guys. I've got the upper control arm apart from the spindle. Now I just need to get the ball joint out of the spindle, so I can install the slug adapter for the Total Chaos UCAs.
     
  10. Jan 25, 2017 at 4:53 PM
    #10
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    Do forget the snap ring is in there. If you haven't already, go rent the ball joint press from advance auto or auto zone like ElTacom said. If you have air tools she should pop out pretty easy, if not get a big cheater bar and some heat. I've done it both ways.
     
  11. Jan 25, 2017 at 5:51 PM
    #11
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You have to remove the snap ring before using the ball joint press?
     
  12. Jan 25, 2017 at 5:55 PM
    #12
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    And the trouble I'm running in to now, is there is not enough room under the wheel well for the ball joint press.
     
  13. Jan 25, 2017 at 8:23 PM
    #13
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    Yes the snap ring will need to be removed. There's a good chance its hidden under some grit and shit.

    If I remember correctly I used a ratcheting wrench I picked up from homedepot so I wouldn't have to take it off once I got it in there. At that point I pushed and pulled to fought like hell to get whatever configuration of accessories of the ball joint press and my wrench inside the wheel well. Apply heat and crank that damn thing as far as you can. I think I had an extra set of hands to hold it as still as possible (my 100lbs wife...so you shouldn't need to much) and when you think your gonna break something you hit that fucking wrench with a BFH....then your done. Go inside have a beer and pray you never have to do it again.

    If this doesn't work the only other thing to do is take the whole spindle off and go through the above steps. The only thing that changes is that part where you hit the wrench with the BFH you actually hit the C press that your using to press the ball joint out.

    Make sure you apply some anti-seize for the next poor fucker who has to do this job again in 5-10yrs.
     
  14. Jan 25, 2017 at 8:38 PM
    #14
    bigbolas

    bigbolas Member

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    You guys are scaring me, im just gonna pay to have done.
     
  15. Jan 25, 2017 at 9:10 PM
    #15
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you again. I'm going to try this long-arm puller method with a socket tomorrow (http://www.bajataco.com/tech/control_arms_03.html). I'm also going to get some anti-seize and synthetic grease for the UCA install.
     
  16. Jan 25, 2017 at 9:12 PM
    #16
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    I attempted that but could not find a 3 claw strong enough. Good luck brother.
     
  17. Jan 25, 2017 at 9:14 PM
    #17
    Obsessed2000

    Obsessed2000 Just a big dummy

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    It's not all that bad. Just takes patience and the right amount of pressure. Also hugely depends on how bad the rust is in your area.
     
  18. Jan 25, 2017 at 9:26 PM
    #18
    maxtherat

    maxtherat Well-Known Member

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    Not sure if I missed something but just loosen castle nut from ball joint (don't remove) and sharply hit the flat spot on the spindle. After a few good hits it should pop. Did you cut the ball joint stud and now there's a piece still stuck in the spindle?if so now you don't have the weight of the suspension to help push it out. Heat the shit out of it with a torch and then rapidly cool then use the ball joint tool you've got.
     
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  19. Jan 26, 2017 at 5:09 AM
    #19
    bigwill837

    bigwill837 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yessir. I've got the upper control arm off the ball joint. I just need to remove the ball joint from the spindle now.
     
  20. Jan 26, 2017 at 5:51 AM
    #20
    maxtherat

    maxtherat Well-Known Member

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    Shoot I just looked closer and realized you've got 1st gen. Now I understand why I got confused. Haven't taken that style apart before but guessing bj press tool like another member already mentioned.
     

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