eBay uniball control arms?

[dkyleb]

You're going to want to have a picture handy for this to make the most sense.

The bushings are fine, but the inner metal sleeve inside of the bushing is too short. The bushing and sleeve should be the exact same length.

Try to find a picture of the metal washer/plate (?) that sits against the whole outer bushing surface. That plate is should touch the metal sleeve and the bushing.

Instead, since the inner metal sleeve is recessed, the plate only presses on the bushing, which you don't want.

Solutions:
1. grind down the bushing to meet the sleeve
2. build up the sleeve to meet the bushing (by adding washers)
3. get an entirely new sleeve of correct length.


Since this is a budget UCA option, getting new sleeves might defeat the purpose of saving money. I went with solution 1 because I couldn't find correct washers, but many people do either. Doesn't really matter.

Or the other option, like I did, was contact the seller and ask for longer sleeves. Worked for me.

 

[dkyleb]

Here's the replacement sleeves I was sent from eBay seller Freedom.Suspension or maybe it was Suspension Marketplace. They're all the same... Anyways!

Washers for comparison, original sleeve on left, replacement on the right.

New sleeve dimensions:
ID 14mm
OD 25mm
Length 57mm

For anyone trying to remove them, here are some tips.

-Start off by filling then full of grease, until it starts coming out the ends.

-I have a vice, check out the picture above to see how I set mine up in it.

-Use a socket that is slightly smaller than the sleeve, and start pounding away with a hammer. Mine took some force to get moving.

-If your sleeves are slightly longer than the bushings, like mine, make sure they are flush on the inside of the UCAs, and protruding on the outside. The reason for this is so the washers can fit. You've got extra axial room on the ends of the pivot bolt, but not on the inside portions.

 

[morphious]

Sent them an email today, see what they say.

 

[4RunninMD]

Wow.. Just looked them up. What a hike in price. Better off goin for the TC UCA's now [emoji58]

 

[heiser]

Or the other option, like I did, was contact the seller and ask for longer sleeves. Worked for me.

Definitely the better, smarter option. Unfortunately, I don't have a vice so it would have taken some headaches to get the sleeves replaced anyways.

 

[dkyleb]

Definitely the better, smarter option. Unfortunately, I don't have a vice so it would have taken some headaches to get the sleeves replaced anyways.

Could easily be done without a vice. I didn't actually use it to clamp the arms, just set it on it.

 

[Brokeazzlos]

Double check your bolt torque. Mine was loose a couple of weeks after install.
Locktite highly recommended

 

[dkyleb]

Double check your bolt torque. Mine was loose a couple of weeks after install.
Locktite highly recommended

Absolutely. Definitely pretty wary about the hardware here... I didn't throw loctite on because it's a nylock nut, but I think I'm gonna next time I have it in the garage.

 

[Brokeazzlos]

Also just noticed a chunk of the lower piece that goes into the uniball broke off. Time to contact the seller. :/

 

[dkyleb]

Also just noticed a chunk of the lower piece that goes into the uniball broke off. Time to contact the seller. :/

The misalignment spacer?

 

[Brokeazzlos]

No clue what it's called. Ill post a picture later if I can remember how to post pictures

 

[dkyleb]

No clue what it's called. Ill post a picture later if I can remember how to post pictures

If it's oddly shaped, it's the misalignment spacer.

 

[Brokeazzlos]

Yes. That same piece.

 

[dkyleb]

Yes. That same piece.

Where did it break?

 

[t-man]

Yes. That same piece.

Looks to me like you are over extending it. It is hitting when the suspension droops all the way out.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

jesus that surface rust. how do you keep anything in working order or even the ability to take it apart

 

[dkyleb]

Looks to me like you are over extending it. It is hitting when the suspension droops all the way out.

I think that's the job of the misalignment spacer. It acts as a contact point.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

I think that's the job of the misalignment spacer. It acts as a contact point.

that was what my thinking was. if its not i might be screwed since thats what stops my down travel

 

[dkyleb]

that was what my thinking was. if its not i might be screwed since thats what stops my down travel

That's the misalignment's job is to act as a buffer between the bolt and the arm. Some heim joints use them too.

 

[NZDZRT]

Another Alternative...

This is from JBA OffRoad. Several Tacoma guys run them. MORE articulation than any uniball, in a BJ design. Price is very good for Made In USA: about $475 shipped. I am running them on my 5th gen, and I do wheel it.

NZDZRT