Help me make UCA decision

[baldrik78]

I've had my JBA High-Caster Arms for about 2 years now. 3 zerks each - one at each bushing and another at the ball joint. I've been happy with them. At a hair over 3" of lift up front, I get 4.5 degrees caster each side.

 

[vt100]

I usually do it every oil change around 5k miles, but on some years that I was driving 15k+ it was 3x. I have some tools that make loosening the UCA bolt a lot easier, but I do not need to remove the wheels to do it.

Ah, ok. It's clear now after reading your further explanation.
I need to check it out for myself too I guess.

 

[DEUS-MACH1NA]

Tip: adding a crow's foot effectively changes the length of your torque wrench, thus allowing you greater leverage. So, depending on the length of your wrench, you have to calculate the percentile reduction of the indicated torque. I can't remember exactly, but I think it was around 2-6% lower indicated torque value to achieve the same actual torque on the bolt. Is that significant? probably not, but I like properly torqued fasteners... kind of anal about it.

Handy torque wrench calculator:

How to Accurately Use a Torque Wrench with a Crowfoot Wrench | TEKTON(R)

 

[Newlife]

Jba with 0 offset and 285/70/17 nittos work great on our 20 and 21 orps

 

[swingbatta]

Dirt King ball joint UCAs w dust covers have been great. Over a year and 17k miles so far and no squeaks or issues. Zirks make them easy to maintain. Tracks very well with 285s and 3-2 lift. Shop set the caster right at 5 deg.

Lots of good options. For me it came down to JBA, SPC, and DK; and I’m glad I chose the DK.

 

[Akkording]

Delta joints on Icon tubular here, used over 70k
4.5 4.3 caster.
I need to replace the DJ due to excessive play which I heard is pretty common around 60k. I replaced the fittings to zerks and only pumped them annually with Lithium molly grease. My bushings started to squeak real bad in the last 6 months.

Keep in mind of future maintenance cost, delta joints replacements are $250, you need their press adapter $35, and a new set of $65 dollar bushings.

I've considered going with Dobinsons UCAs as well, I'm sure they could possibility last 100k without any issues.

 

[daytonaviolet]

I went with jba.

 

[4Person]

I’m in the same boat - I was dead set on JBA UCAs but my wheel backspace will be 4.75 with 285 tires and I don’t know if I want to risk the UCA rubbing. Just poured over every UCA article I could find and it looks like the best ball joint alternates are Dirt Kings and maybe Dobinsons. A lot of vendors seem to carry OMEs now, but I couldn’t find much info on the forum. I think my biggest challenge now is going to be availability after it took me 5 months to get my lift ordered. Anyone know good deals and availability of ball joint UCAs these days?

 

[lewdog998]

Delta joints on Icon tubular here, used over 70k
4.5 4.3 caster.
I need to replace the DJ due to excessive play which I heard is pretty common around 60k. I replaced the fittings to zerks and only pumped them annually with Lithium molly grease. My bushings started to squeak real bad in the last 6 months.

Keep in mind of future maintenance cost, delta joints replacements are $250, you need their press adapter $35, and a new set of $65 dollar bushings.

I've considered going with Dobinsons UCAs as well, I'm sure they could possibility last 100k without any issues.

Wow...that is good to know....is that 250 per uca?

I was about to order the icons, now I'm thinking DK may be a better option. Not sure about the replacement joints on the DK...they are not on their site....any idea on those?

 

[Akkording]

Wow...that is good to know....is that 250 per uca?

I was about to order the icons, now I'm thinking DK may be a better option. Not sure about the replacement joints on the DK...they are not on their site....any idea on those?

250 a pair. My bestfriends runs the DK Heim Upper Control Arms | DK-811903 and he enjoys them but not sure how long they would last or cost on future maintenance cost. From my understanding they won't squeak since they are bushing less.

 

[Tuco S.]

I was about to order the icons, now I'm thinking DK may be a better option. Not sure about the replacement joints on the DK...they are not on their site....any idea on those?

I believe DK uses Moog ball joints, replacements @ $35/each, available thru most parts stores.

 

[4Person]

So, I ended up going with OME ball joint UCAs. I couldn’t find much information on replacement ball joints, grease requirements, etc., but I did find some available. I spoke with a couple of vendors who said that they couldn’t keep them on the shelves and they haven’t heard a bad thing about them from customers, but no information beyond that. I assumed good quality based on the brand and pulled the trigger. The OME UCAs showed up in the mail yesterday and seem to be very high quality construction. They did not, however, come with any additional information that I was looking for. I’m not planning on having time to install them until the beginning of next month, so perhaps OME will answer the questions directly if I message customer service. Anybody else on the forum try this kind yet?

 

[EmperorWurm]

Total chaos=the best.

 

[Akkording]

So, I ended up going with OME ball joint UCAs. I couldn’t find much information on replacement ball joints, grease requirements, etc., but I did find some available. I spoke with a couple of vendors who said that they couldn’t keep them on the shelves and they haven’t heard a bad thing about them from customers, but no information beyond that. I assumed good quality based on the brand and pulled the trigger. The OME UCAs showed up in the mail yesterday and seem to be very high quality construction. They did not, however, come with any additional information that I was looking for. I’m not planning on having time to install them until the beginning of next month, so perhaps OME will answer the questions directly if I message customer service. Anybody else on the forum try this kind yet?

Cool keep us posted
I'm curious to know the max caster number after your alignment.

 

[Bear2Beat]

I have JBA and the seem to be holding up well. Although I live in Ohio and the Salt has been rough on the bolts.

 

[Sundy]

I'm running Freedom Offroad and so far very happy with them. A little over 21K now, no squeaking, everything seems tight. Ball joints are greaseable and only $35/pop when the time to replace them comes up.

I'm sitting right at 4.0 caster with approximately 2.5" lift (22.25" hub to fender).

 

[matoolie]

So, I ended up going with OME ball joint UCAs. I couldn’t find much information on replacement ball joints, grease requirements, etc., but I did find some available. I spoke with a couple of vendors who said that they couldn’t keep them on the shelves and they haven’t heard a bad thing about them from customers, but no information beyond that. I assumed good quality based on the brand and pulled the trigger. The OME UCAs showed up in the mail yesterday and seem to be very high quality construction. They did not, however, come with any additional information that I was looking for. I’m not planning on having time to install them until the beginning of next month, so perhaps OME will answer the questions directly if I message customer service. Anybody else on the forum try this kind yet?

Cool keep us posted
I'm curious to know the max caster number after your alignment.

I have these also and curious how it goes. I won’t be installing mine for several months.