UCAs !!! Camburg "ball joint" vs LR SPC UCAs

I have LR UCAs and have had no problems with them. I set them at the -1 position and got an alignment I'm happy with - only after sitting in the alignment bay with the alignment tech and showing him how the adjustments on the LR could be performed.

As far as durability goes - again no problem. I DO wheel my truck. However, I'm an old man, I wheel gently, I recognize I'm wheeling my daily driver, I back off early, I'm willing to turn around rather than press on. In short - I try really hard not to go out there and break shit. Also, my truck is a 4cyl reg cab with 5speed, so it's one of the lighter modified tacomas out there (though I've added a fair amount of weight in tools and armor.)

If you're going to go out there and hit whoops and jump your truck - then you need to pick the right tool for the job - and the right tool for THAT job isn't a ball joint UCA at all - it's a UNIBall UCA. Uniball UCAs are designed to provide the extra strength needed for that type of hard use.

 

It would slide at 150ft-lbs just crawling in the rocks, but I weigh 6K lbs and have front and rear lockers so the front end sees a lot of force.

 

You might start with 150 and if it ever slides go up to 200. I don't know exactly what that bolt can handle but in my case it either handled it or I had to get new UCAs so I had nothing to lose if it broke. I push things to their limits though. My rig isn't my DD.

 

I installed Moog balljoints in the Camburg UCA. The fit was very tight, in fact the research and measurements showed that the clearance available was at the bare minimum for Moog. The Moogs are meant to be a replacement part so I understand their OD is slightly larger than stock, so they will hold when the originals are pressed out of the stock arms.

Solution for me was to freeze the BJs in the freezer, and heat the UCA in the oven and press both together quickly. A hydraulic press would have been better than a vise and BJ clamp, but it worked. Next time I'd get a hydraulic press, or have Wheelers pre-install the BJ.

Overall, getting the alignment done was no problem, and I noticed right away less bump steer from stock UCA with a 3" lift (OME lift) I am satisfied with the quality and parts. I made my own cover for the BJ cup. I see Camburg now offers covers.

 

Yes, this will provide better droop, allowing the UCA to drop further, along with appropriate extended travel Shock & spring setup. That would be my next up from OME, using Miles example.

 

Will these work with a 17X9 wheel?

 

I didn't use a torque wrench when I installed mine just regular wrench should I go back and use one ( newbie)?

 

Damn that "spacer" is thick!! I have a 1" body lift and my UCA's still hit my fender wells so hard on some hits that they are dented and my fender has been pushed back some.

 

We recommend you run a 16x8 or 17x8 wheel with the MAX backspacing being: 4.75"

 

So I think I am going to go with the UNI-BALL joints. just seems like less hassle and risk for a few more $. Thank you all the input.

 

Has anyone installed these extended Ball Joints on Stock UCAs?

Might be a nice option for folks that keep their stock UCAs and gain some additional Caster...

 

I love my uniball ucas except there needs to be a cap for the top replacing the uniballs next weekend had them for about 6 mths

 

DoorDing,
Thanks for the education...