DannyLlama
Elite Member
So working with someone from the forum to install the suspension and we are having trouble removing the front UCA's... The bot that goes into the spindle is not separating. ANY HELP PLEASE!!!!!
HELP! Suspension install UCA's
- Thread starter DannyLlama
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Antman
Elite Member
Are you talking about the upper ball joint?
Loosen the nut completely but leave it threaded on there a few turns. Hit the upright with a BIG hammer (think sledge hammer). There is a flat spot on the upright for this purpose. Hit it HARD 2 or 3 times and it will pop right off.
DannyLlama
Elite Member
DannyLlama
Elite Member
Hammered it with a 5 LBS sledge..... done it all and it's not budging
Antman
Elite Member
Yes Danny. Put that nut back on there a few turns. Hit the upright right where the ball joint comes through (your pic is sideways but if it were normal it would be the left side) on the flat spot. It will come loose easily.
DannyLlama
Elite Member
Tried that too and no luck.. not budging man. :help:
DannyLlama
Elite Member
I'm replacing the UCA's so those are done anyways. But thank you
wfo9
New member
You need to jack up the lower control arm "some" so it is not a full droop. This will take some of the side load tension off of it and put the BJ at a more reasonable angle. Now smack the bolt with a rubber mallet. If that does not work go to a heavy hammer, but protect the threads with a bolt if you want to save them....
It should not require much of a hit to get it off.
To jack up the lower control arm... I usually use a floor jack and a small 4x4 piece of wood.
Also, loosen the long bolt that holds the UCA to the frame. For some reason the stock ones can hold tension there.
It should not require much of a hit to get it off.
To jack up the lower control arm... I usually use a floor jack and a small 4x4 piece of wood.
Also, loosen the long bolt that holds the UCA to the frame. For some reason the stock ones can hold tension there.
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samsung
New member
DannyLlama
Elite Member
Did all of the above, no cigar. We are calling it quits for today and will try again tomorrow.
Antman
Elite Member
Exactly.
samsung
New member
i'm getting ready to do my icon lift, and i'm studying the heck out of this site. lol
Antman
Elite Member
Good advice- The UCA's do have tension on them but it's "upwards" because of the rubber bushings. In other words, once that upper ball joint pops loose the UCA will spring UP. If the ABS wire is not completely out of the way (Danny yours is resting on the arm in the pic so MOVE IT) you will break the wire.
Danny- you must thread the nut back on there loosely before you hit it! Otherwise when it breaks loose it'll fly apart. Where you hit it matters. Hit the top of the upright- the front flat spot directly below the UCA. Mine came off with 3 good whacks (I took it apart to get the wheel bearing seal in place)
Get you a damn good hammer....Same idea here. LOL
DannyLlama
Elite Member
who invited this guy
wfo9
New member
Yes, hit it there and also smack the nut in a few different directions. It should not require extreme blows. I've take about 10 of these off and never had any issue at all. The trick is to hit it at different angles.. Including some upward blows on the nut last. It's simply tapered and stuck. Don't forget to also get the lower control arm up enough to get the BJ in a less extreme angle.
Like other said, Completely disconnect the abs wire before you do anything. Disconnect it from the sensor and remove all the brackets or you will end up stretching it...
CrazyNorwegian
New member
The hammer on the spindle method got mine out in a few hard taps. Maybe try pre cutting a a pair of 2x4's and positioning them under the Uca. Then Lowering the vehicle slightly to add upward tension to the Uca, and start with the hammer method again.
A.Wilson013
New member
I had a stubborn UBJ once. With a friend applying upward pressure on the UCA with a pry bar it popped right out after a few hits.
