UCA install?

I'm having the shop I work at do the install of my LR UCAs, top plate spacers, and extended studs today. I'd do it myself but I wrapped my leg around a mailbox and snapped my femur in three places . Anyway, is there anything I should tell the guy or advice you have to make things easier? Should the ball joints be greased too or just the bushings? Thanks guys.

 

There should be a pretty self-explanatory instruction sheet that comes with the LR UCA's. I believe they now come with greasable ball joints. I would assume those need to be greased after install. Just make sure he has the installation guide that came with them.

 

Anything else? I thought I read something about using a hammer to bash something out of the way so the UCA bolts come out easier.

 

There's a piece of sheetmetal that needs to be slightly bent - hammer would do it I guess, but I just used pliers. It doesn't need to move too far.

Also there's a wire harness under the battery tray that should be unclipped and moved out of the way - otherwise it may break when you start pushing the bolt out.

Also I would insist that they not try and cut corners by re-installing the bolt backwards - make them put it back in the way it came out.

 

What should my caster be? I have them set at +4°. It's being worked on right now..

 

The consensus around here seems to be at least 2.5 degrees, maybe up to 3 if you can get there. 4 is too much IMO- that would be in the hard steering effort and "caster wobble" zone I think.

 

I've read that with 285s you need at least +2.75° caster to avoid rubbing while turning full lock. I'm running 285/70r 17 currently.

What is the caster wobble?

From what I've read more caster helps keep the wheels straight over bumps and rough roads. We have terrible roads here in WI. I don't mind slightly heavier steering if it means the truck will track more straight.

 

I set them at +3° caster. I can change it later on if need be.

 

Holy crap. 4+? Yeah I've always heard 2.5 - 3 (max).

Make sure they know to use the grease provided with the LR UCA's. As I understand they like a specific grease being used... otherwise they can squeak. Mine did and I had to get my installer to re-grease them.

 

If you dont mind me asking, how much did the LR UCAs go for?

 

Make sure they know the long bolt torque is 83 lbs and the big nut that holds the ball joint in is 150 lbs.

 

How did you wrap your leg around the mailbox.... and how fast??

 

Make sure they put the bolts in from front to back. They may be lazy and not want to bend the metal piece out of the way. If that's the case they might install them back to front which is a safety hazard IMO.

 

I agree. My nut came loose and if that but had fallen off then the bolt could slide out of it was in opposite of stock. I heard a noise and checked it and found it.

 

I think $485.

I'm told I wrapped it around a mailbox. I was on a scooter and don't remember the accident.

He put them in backwards. Could I just take the nut off, use Loctite and torque it to 83 ft lbs? Otherwise I'd have to take off the UCA off to get the bolt back in and then get it realigned.

 

Locktite sounds like a winner to me. I just keep an eye on them and check torque every so often. Good idea to get in there anyway so you spot anything that may be going on you just don't know about yet.

 

Ouch.


That left a mark.

 

The third break up near my hip socket.