The LR UCA Install: Part I
Although the install video a few posts earlier says to support the vehicle in the loaded position, and the written instructions neglect to say. Light Racing had a issue with their bushings, as it sounds like their old spec front upper arm actually transmitted some torsional stress through the bushing that would make them fail. LR has fixed it now with their Spec Ride bushing which is a clever marketing name to show that they stand behind their product and have fixed the issues with the arm. These new bushings appear to tighten metal to metal like the OEM upper bolt and bushings do, except that they are urethane.
Just the simple instructions... These look to be better tha the initial instructions. I've read the earlier instructions were worthless.
Passenger arm at level ride height:
Passenger arm at full droop. There is spring contact.
Tip to removing (AND SAVING TO REUSE) the plastic OEM under fender plugs: don't. It them like the install video shows, get a few different sets of needle nose and access the back of them through the engine bay. This one is located right past the air cleaner box (guess no pic of it in, just out):
It may seem like a pain, but there are two different stops on these plugs. Just keep them pinched on the backside and wiggle them back and forth, pushing through. Here's the back side:
DRIVER'S SIDE:
Started on the drivers side. I removed the battery to make room for the upper control arm bolt to have room, but if you remove three bolts, you can move two electrical harnesses that are in the way and possibly save yourself yanking the battery. Would have tried it if I could have felt the other upper bolt... Read on.
#1: Right in front of the bolt head, you can see a 10mm that locates a large wiring harness. Remove bolt:
That'll get you a little further, but not all of the way out. The X and the arrow to the left shows what you did in the previous step (to get your bearings). The arrows to the right are the #2 and #3 bolts that will need removed. Also marked where the battery tray was so you could see where the bolts are tucked. Might save time and your presets.
Upper arm removed:
You can see I'm supporting the link with string. Don't worry, I'm also supporting the bottom part of the hub with a stand. Just want to minimize stress to my lower ball joint.
Also got the upper ball joint adaptor in place. Was able to seat it with the bolt, nut, and washers I got for pressing the rear shock bushings in with. Also coated it with anti-seize beforehand and got the C clip in.
And that's where I'm stopping for the night. Had to rent a ball joint press, but I can't fit it under the fender. Ran back to parts store, and they only have a huge one for dump trucks, lol. No idea how these guys with Civics would get this thing under their fender with enough room to use an adapter. I really don't want to pop the bottom ball joint to make enough room for the assemble and tool to be able to use the upper press. Lol, guess I'm going to look at tools to see if I can find a compact enough press locally to save my lazy butt sometime... : )