Good price for UCA install?

[G.I.G.]

I'll probably be getting my new Light Racing UCA's here in the next week or two and I am starting to get quotes to have them installed. I have only received one quote so far and that was for $500 to have them installed and do the alignment. I was curious if that is expensive (sounds a bit steep to me), cheap, or reasonable. It is a shop that is a stone's throw away from my house so if it is a fair price, I'll save myself the transportation hastle by just dropping it off there and walking home. If I can save some coin, however, I'm not adverse to going elsewhere. Just curious to find out some thoughts on UCA install pricing. Thanks.

 

[Jesse1983]

f that man. install them yourself. it's incredibly easy, a simple remove and replace. no special tools needed, etc. and it's a one man job. I've done a few sets of UCA's and if I charged someone $500 for that job I'd feel like a criminal. It shouldn't take someone (especially a pro) more than an hour per side. Subtract $50 for alignment, that's $225 per hour. just do it yourself.

 

[G.I.G.]

Thanks for the input, Jesse. So no special tools (I only own a basic Craftsman ratchet/socket set and other basic hand tools) are required? I am assuming you need to jack the front end up and take off the wheel to remove and replace the UCA's. I might give it a shot if it is not that complicated.

 

[Jesse1983]

It's literally that easy. Remove tire, disconnect the UCA from the spindle via one bolt, and remove the long bolt which releases the entire UCA. Do the same steps in reverse and the new one is on. Here is a helpful thread, same difference Tacoma v. 4Runner

Camburg UCA Install w/pics - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

 

[BlairB]

Definitely do the UCA's yourself, Jesse is 100% correct. I have taken mine off twice after they have been installed now (once to replace uniballs, once to replace bushings) and I would say it takes about 30 minutes to take them off.

 

[the_josh]

i agree with everyone, do it yourself!

 

[G.I.G.]

Cool. Glad to hear that it is something I can tackle myself! I thought for some reason I needed special tools but I guess since I am not replacing bushings, etc., it should be pretty straight forward. I'll let you guys know how it goes....

 

[steezemcqueen]

call brad :thumb3:

 

[G.I.G.]

So I got another e-mail back from Toytec re the install and they said I might need a ball joint separator for the install??? How do I know if I need a ball joint separator or not?

call brad :thumb3:

Ha, I thought of that but I would hate to impose on him again!

 

[Jesse1983]

The tool they are refering to would seperate the uca from the spindle. On the bolt which is attached to the uca you will see a locking pin thing. Remove that and hit up on the bolt and it will seperate. Even if you needed a ball joint seperator (which you won't) they are like $15 anyway.