JBA UCA post install thoughts - boot not fitting right?

[phatcheeks]

Ive been running mine for over a year now and no issues. Ive been through the sand dunes, mud, dirt, rocks, water and they are holding up fine. I re-grease them frequently which takes about 2 minutes. But when the time comes ill just buy the updated boots. I wont be running 35s, just 33s and they should work fine for that.

But if I could go back, Id probably just get some SPCs or even the new Eibach ones that are similar to SPC for cheaper

 

[Keros]

so I've been thinking. Who here thinks that the original ball joint/boot design is flawed? Do you think it's "normal" or acceptable for the joint to be exposed and/or squeezing out grease?

I've lived with the issue thus far and am kind of fed up with it. In talking with Marlin from JBA, I find it odd that he would think that it is ok for grease to spew out and/or the joint to be exposed.

I was about to pull the trigger on buying the new designed ball joints (since I'm installing new LCA) but can't justify spending $120 extra dollars to replace a design flaw.

I messaged Marlin about the ball joints again and asking if there could be any discounts had. I would even return the faulty ball joints. I'm about to do what Drift Monkey did and just ditch the JBAs and bite the bullet on new SPCs just out of spite.

Am I crazy?

I've been watching this thread for a while... 'cuz I thought JBA's were a really great design. But all this has me seriously rethinking that.

Can someone confirm: They've machined a groove into the ball joint itself to retain the boot? Thus eliminating the one major advantage that they run off the shelf ball joints available anywhere?

 

[joshik]

I guess that's the nature of owning a business and constantly improving your product over time. Anytime there is an update for a flaw the people who have the older one will want the improvement. Not an excuse for the old boot design either. I have the old boot style and just bought mine last year. So far my boot had been ok, a ton of people have these arms with no issues. Not the end of the world for me as I'll have to replace the ball joints one day anyways, I can just get the updated ball joint design at that time. Never do anything out of spite, it won't really make a difference for anyone. See what Marlin says first and maybe he'll have a solution. If not sell your JBA arms, move on and get the SPC. Good luck!

yeh you are right about the spite thing. I was just thinking about it again and it was just irking me. I know the balljoints work perfectly fine and I know Marlin is a great guy. At least the redesign fixed the issue. I am going to call him today to see what he says as well.

Ive been running mine for over a year now and no issues. Ive been through the sand dunes, mud, dirt, rocks, water and they are holding up fine. I re-grease them frequently which takes about 2 minutes. But when the time comes ill just buy the updated boots. I wont be running 35s, just 33s and they should work fine for that.

But if I could go back, Id probably just get some SPCs or even the new Eibach ones that are similar to SPC for cheaper

yeh, i'm running 275s but going to 285s soon. I have spacers already too so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I like that the JBAs are made here in America and use easy to obtain GMC ball joints.

I've been watching this thread for a while... 'cuz I thought JBA's were a really great design. But all this has me seriously rethinking that.

Can someone confirm: They've machined a groove into the ball joint itself to retain the boot? Thus eliminating the one major advantage that they run off the shelf ball joints available anywhere?

There are posts just above from peeps that have recently ordered and installed and show that the balljoint and boot design is updated. Looks solid now.

I'll probably revisit looking for "bellow" type 3rd party boots for our older style balljoints.

JBA seems like a great company and I know MANY people agree. Marlin was super cool. I was texting with him back and forth during my install and he is super responsive and nice. I know COVID is hitting everyone hard so I guess I should give him some slack. :T

 

[Drift Monkey]

so I've been thinking. Who here thinks that the original ball joint/boot design is flawed? Do you think it's "normal" or acceptable for the joint to be exposed and/or squeezing out grease?

I've lived with the issue thus far and am kind of fed up with it. In talking with Marlin from JBA, I find it odd that he would think that it is ok for grease to spew out and/or the joint to be exposed.

I was about to pull the trigger on buying the new designed ball joints (since I'm installing new LCA) but can't justify spending $120 extra dollars to replace a design flaw.

I messaged Marlin about the ball joints again and asking if there could be any discounts had. I would even return the faulty ball joints. I'm about to do what Drift Monkey did and just ditch the JBAs and bite the bullet on new SPCs just out of spite.

Am I crazy?

Not crazy. I don't regret the SPCs - tons of adjustment for 35s.

 

[joshik]

So check this. I was googling "JBA ball joint" and saw this:

Why 2 washers on the ball joint

So looks like JBA took my photos from THIS POST (page 2) and created an article. But what JBA failed to mention is that there is still a gap which I posted and many others after the 2nd washer.

WoW.

Anyways, I just got some new boots from a 3rd party. Gonna see if they fit. I don't see why not. It's not like the old JBA boots do anything special besides trying to sit flush on the bottom face of the UCA to keep grease in. They are made for their 3rd party bolt on chevy ball joints. I'll be installing them tomorrow along with my new LCA. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[rmbertoldi]

Wow that's a crazy rub with 35s, what wheels/spacing are you at? I can't see getting anywhere close with my SCS Rays in -38 but I'm only running 295s. All things considered, after finding some steel retaining spring clips to replace the plastic zip ties on the boots, I think they're a great non-factory/USA made product. The grease/overflow aspect is not unlike any other grease point to me in that it splurges out of whatever available orifice is there to let you know it's full and good for another few months. I regrease all my zerks Spring, Summer, and Fall all most have their own dedicated grease and gun so it's not at all a big deal for me and i'd prefer to have fresh in there and whip off the old black stuff as it builds up with dirt. I try not to judge the next guys past times and religion of choice, so getting the "extra stuff" in the box was a thoughtful add that was lost on me, but thoughtful none the less.
We'll see how another year or two wears them here in the NE salt and beach sand, will follow-up!