How easy is a bushing swap on my UCAs?!

[LOSTR4]

7 years ago, I upgraded my suspension and it has been amazing...zero drama. As she has aged and only getting about 5k miles each year of use, things are starting to talk...er...squeak...I've tried an assortment of lubricants to minimize many of the inherent squeaks when upgrading to a polyurethane bushing but it has recently become so unbearable, driving the 4runner resembles driving an ambulance with sirens blaring...there is no doubt, everyone knows something is coming down the road now...I have had the Icons rebuilt and the linkages for the drivetrain swapped but that didn't help...it made these squeaks scream more...I have narrowed the noise down to the SPC UCA Poly bushings...I know I can do this job, but I'm on the fence for actually wanting to do this job...how much work is this? Must the UCAs come completely out to press in new bushings or can they be done while semi-connected to the knuckle and only the pivot mounts on the frame being disconnected? I know this is a rhetorical question, but I'm just hoping now...Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

hone:

 

[BackOff]

If they are actually the 'SpecRide/poly' bushing you should have no trouble replacing them.
You may just need to regrease the inner sleeve though.

If they are not the SpecRide but the older style with metal outer sleeve... pain in the ass to get out, can be done if your determined.

Take a pic.
I would think it will be a struggle to do it on the car... just pop that upper ball joint off at the top of the spindle.

 

[Drunner97]

7 years ago, I upgraded my suspension and it has been amazing...zero drama. As she has aged and only getting about 5k miles each year of use, things are starting to talk...er...squeak...I've tried an assortment of lubricants to minimize many of the inherent squeaks when upgrading to a polyurethane bushing but it has recently become so unbearable, driving the 4runner resembles driving an ambulance with sirens blaring...there is no doubt, everyone knows something is coming down the road now...I have had the Icons rebuilt and the linkages for the drivetrain swapped but that didn't help...it made these squeaks scream more...I have narrowed the noise down to the SPC UCA Poly bushings...I know I can do this job, but I'm on the fence for actually wanting to do this job...how much work is this? Must the UCAs come completely out to press in new bushings or can they be done while semi-connected to the knuckle and only the pivot mounts on the frame being disconnected? I know this is a rhetorical question, but I'm just hoping now...Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

hone:

It's an easy job to just pull the arms off the spindle and it's easier to replace/grease the bushings with the arm removed from the vehicle, especially if you have a stubborn bushing that doesn't want to pop out. You'll spend more time trying to get the bolts out of UCA than swapping the bushings if they aren't too bad.

 

[hinmo24t]

It's an easy job to just pull the arms off the spindle and it's easier to replace/grease the bushings with the arm removed from the vehicle, especially if you have a stubborn bushing that doesn't want to pop out. You'll spend more time trying to get the bolts out of UCA than swapping the bushings if they aren't too bad.

recently, i had new NAPA CVs put on each side. my indi mechanic told me for whatever reason he had to drill out one of the UCA bushings during the process, so now i have a new blue one on the drivers side on the stock UCA... not sure if thats any indication of how easy it is, he is a great mechanic too but rumor has it he loves torching and getting aggressive lol

 

[Drunner97]

recently, i had new NAPA CVs put on each side. my indi mechanic told me for whatever reason he had to drill out one of the UCA bushings during the process, so now i have a new blue one on the drivers side on the stock UCA... not sure if thats any indication of how easy it is, he is a great mechanic too but rumor has it he loves torching and getting aggressive lol

wtf? You don't have to touch the UCAs to swap out a CV axle. Time for a new mechanic.

 

[hinmo24t]

wtf? You don't have to touch the UCAs to swap out a CV axle. Time for a new mechanic.

lmao!! I think they found old one failing during process or something...

 

[LOSTR4]

Thanks for the replies. I have old Light Racing UCAs bought in 2013 with the rubber-bonded bushings...many of which had issues with squeaks and braking the UCAs at the welds. I haven't had any issues aside form massive amounts of squeaking...SPC now offers their forged version and updated, greasable BJs for an update price of only $200 plus a core charge of $429...that's a freaking good deal IMHO! So I'm on the fence a bit...spend $50 for their bushing update kit or just upgrade to the brand new forged UCAs and BJs for $200...

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Thanks for the replies. I have old Light Racing UCAs bought in 2013 with the rubber-bonded bushings...many of which had issues with squeaks and braking the UCAs at the welds. I haven't had any issues aside form massive amounts of squeaking...SPC now offers their forged version and updated, greasable BJs for an update price of only $200 plus a core charge of $429...that's a freaking good deal IMHO! So I'm on the fence a bit...spend $50 for their bushing update kit or just upgrade to the brand new forged UCAs and BJs for $200...

dude....upgrade to the new UCAs....just do it. someone queue up the Shia Labeouf meme

 

[Drunner97]

Thanks for the replies. I have old Light Racing UCAs bought in 2013 with the rubber-bonded bushings...many of which had issues with squeaks and braking the UCAs at the welds. I haven't had any issues aside form massive amounts of squeaking...SPC now offers their forged version and updated, greasable BJs for an update price of only $200 plus a core charge of $429...that's a freaking good deal IMHO! So I'm on the fence a bit...spend $50 for their bushing update kit or just upgrade to the brand new forged UCAs and BJs for $200...

For 200 bucks and a refundable core charge I'd jump on it. Even though you haven't had that specific failure yet, peace of mind for an updated design AND new bushings, you might as well do it.

 

[LOSTR4]

I just got off the phone with Justin at SPC...they are incredibly helpful and impressed my setup has lasted so long...regardless, I have a new setup being sent and will swap them out and realign the 4runner...I am glad for your suggestions and eager to get these squeaks gone!! I will keep everyone posted on the outcomes!