Icon 58400 Uniball UCA Install Questions

JWaldz

JWaldz

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I just got some Icon uca's and I'm having a heck of a time sourcing pictures or any kind of install help. I've seen some pics of installed icon uca's but the uniball adapter pieces for them were the kind that you put a nut on the bottom and then cottor pin it. I think those might require to be pressed in?? I have different ones and they look like they don't require anything to be pressed. I don't know how it connects to the spindle though nor do I know what the purpose of the spacer washers are for and if I even need them. It might all just click once I'm down there but I'd like to at least get some kind of idea before I start tearing things apart. I haven't really messed with UCA's much other than removing an upper ball joint (which is a job itself). Anybody have some pictures or install tips specific to these icon uca's to help a brother out? I've tried searching every way I could but kept running into dead ends.
 
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BrianSD_42 said:
Dude please explain. I don't know the back story and am considering these for my 4RUNNER.
Click to expand...

I got them for a good deal practically new, but they were missing parts. I need to do some maintenance first before I spend money on the parts I need for them. I've just been putting the maintenance off b/c it's replacing my steering rack and I don't want to do it lol. According to some other members they're really easy to put on. No pressing or any special tools other than a tool to remove the factory upper ball joint.
 
I just read this review last night about them... From TTORA

Quote:
Originally Posted by socalmoto View Post
Icon ucas have a cap for the uniballs that will keep crap off the top of the uni where most wear occurs. Those might last quite a while. They are pretty damn expensive though.

I have them, the caps are actually a bad idea in terms of design, the dirt and moisture makes it's way up into the top area from the bottom and gets trapped. I live in Colorado and we have a lot of dirt, gravel and some other road treatments in the Winter time, even the IVD billet uniballs hardly last a year before they start squeaking, then groaning and need to be replaced.

I went through this twice in a three year period before I said to hell with it, took the caps off, drilled holes in the top and tapped them out for grease fittings. Depending on what my driving is like month to month, I purge grease at least once a month and usually after any really dirty trip. The grease fills the cavity up top and prevents crap from getting in there.

I did that mod back in 2009....they have been perfect ever since, look brand new, no play, no slop.

Uniball UCA life expectancy - TTORA Forum


After readying that, I'll just stick with LR arms.
 
I have the all-pro UCA's with uniballs and mine lasted a little over a year... and by lasted I mean I had pretty bad play in them. If I remember right, new uniballs were like $70 for set and an absolute ***** to replace. The same salt and grit that killed them locked in there pretty good. Even with the generous amount of anti-sieze I installed them with, no amount of heat, pressure, and hammering got them out. Brought them over to a buddy's place and 18tons on his press did the trick. To be fair I've replaced others where we were able to heat and tap them out.

This is just a FYI for anyone considering them. Depending where you live and what your roads are like they may last longer, but lots of guys up here don't make it more than 1 year on uniballs. They're not a lifetime part, but yearly maintenance for me is worth more than the stock UCA alignment and rubbing issues.
 
[MENTION=96765]Illestreker[/MENTION]

Any uniball uca is going to do that, not just Icon. It all depends on where you live like stated above. The uca caps for me will be of great benefit keeping dust out of them. I think if you rinse down your vehicle after getting your vehicle all nasty from on and offroad debris I think you'll be ok.
 
I agree that where you live determines the largest impact on how long a uniball lasts. But, as far as the caps I can agree see the tacoma guy on TTORA point. The cap on top allows 50% less dust in because the bottom is still open to the elements. therefore, making it more difficult to actually get accumulated debris out. Yeah you can just spray from the bottom but will it get as good as a cleaning... who knows.

In my opinion I kinda see it as a a catch 22, kinda like shock boots. Some say they keep the shock cleaner, some say the trap moisture and dirt making it worse on the shock.

The icon uca's look awesome and in theory the caps are a good idea, but after reading a few reviews not sure how much marketing it actually is. I hope i'm wrong though so gets those suckers installed and give em hell!
 
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