Light Racing UCA ball joints

[Intruder]

I always forget about Canadian shipping. I actually got burned with one of the T4ROTM prizes. It sucks having to order/ship anything to you guys, eh.

Yup, exactly why I declined my prize. Shipping, taxes, brokerage fees would've probably added up to the cost of the compressor. A lot of guys in Alberta will have stuff shipped to the Montana Shipping Outlet then someone will drive down there with a trailer and pick a bunch of stuff up at once.

 

[UtahSooner]

It's unfortunanate LR is getting the reputation...
The main reason I stuck with them is because of the service. Throughout the entire process, LR took care of their customers.

Agreed, and if it was only a matter of the ball joint maintenance/periodic replacement (which is going to affect all UCAs) I'd simply replace the BJs and be done with it. Even the periodic maintenance/replacement of the bushings is to be expected and not a deal breaker, especially since the parts are way cheaper than new ball joints...

For me it's the weld failures that don't plague the other UCA options that tip the scales on the engineering soundness of the LR UCA. Maybe the Spec Ride bushings fix any binding issues that were a problem with the external washers in the rev 2 design. But, IMO, that should have never been a problem in the first place if the design was properly vetted. (Kinda like why I will never, ever run SRAM parts on my bikes. Make a mistake with designing your XX brakes once, OK. Replace them with a warrantied disc brake that doesn't actually fix the problem, I'm done regardless of how good the customer service is and how fast the free replacement gets to me. Couple that with the fact that one of their techs finally tells the head wrench at my local bike shop, after an hour of trying to dial in the XX shifting, that the XX system wasn't actually designed to shift perfectly in small and big rings and will never be "perfect". I'll stop with the bike parts discussion here before I start a "religious" thread within a thread -- I'll just finish by saying that I'd really like to like SRAM but they have pretty much failed in product design every chance they've had and can't seem to ever get it right... The fact that they seem to be really nice folks only goes so far).

All that said, looks like I'm a dumba$$ and missed the 20% off sale for Icon parts from Toytec so now the Icon Tubular UCAs are pretty close price wise to the TC ones regardless of which online retailer I go with. Think the option to add the uniball cover to the Icon tubular UCAs and the black powdercoat color have pretty much made my decision. As Intruder noted, I can't find anything related to "UCA failure" for either the TCs or the Icons (all results are related to LR UCA failures) so don't think there's really a bad choice.

Comments from anyone with experience good/bad with the Icon Tubular (not the billet aluminum) UCAs would be appreciated before I pull the trigger on Monday.

 

[HokieRunner]

Play in SPC upper ball joint

Hey guys, I've got a 4th Gen but this was the most relevant thread so I wanted to add my experience:

Truck is at High Tech with Scott today for an unrelated issue but they called to say the upper ball joints have excessive play in them. I've noticed some movement in the front suspension lately and this must be what I was feeling. Anyways, I'm surprised since they're only about 8 mos and 10k miles old. (I rebuilt the entire front end from the bottom up at the same time they went in so it wasn't like some other old part could have contributed to faster degradation)

Truck has seen wide mix of use since install from weekend offroading to roadtrips but they haven't been terribly abused.

I ordered replacements and will swap them in and get High Tech to re-align the truck when I do. I'll disassemble and post up pics as well. Wheelers Off Road has the replacement ball joints for $65 a pop.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

*Sigh* - I'm starting to think I might be dishing out the cash for better UCAs before I'll get a chance to spend the money on better coilovers.

 

[Scott@Hightech]

Hey guys, I've got a 4th Gen but this was the most relevant thread so I wanted to add my experience:

Truck is at High Tech with Scott today for an unrelated issue but they called to say the upper ball joints have excessive play in them. I've noticed some movement in the front suspension lately and this must be what I was feeling. Anyways, I'm surprised since they're only about 8 mos and 10k miles old. (I rebuilt the entire front end from the bottom up at the same time they went in so it wasn't like some other old part could have contributed to faster degradation)

Truck has seen wide mix of use since install from weekend offroadingo roadtrips but they haven't been terribly abused.

I ordered replacements and will swap them in and get High Tech to re-align the truck when I do. I'll disassemble and post up pics as well. Wheelers Off Road has the replacement UCAs for $65 a pop.

Sadly im really starting to lose any selling points with the LR UCAs, As i seem to be seeing a number of BJ failures with low milage. Granted ive seen plenty with tons of miles as well.

Take pictures of the RF upper ball joint when you take it apart.

 

[eddiebx]

Anybody interested in lightly used set of LR UCAs with the most updated bushings? I might have a set FS once the weather warms up, lol.

 

[HokieRunner]

Sadly im really starting to lose any selling points with the LR UCAs, As i seem to be seeing a number of BJ failures with low milage. Granted ive seen plenty with tons of miles as well.

Take pictures of the RF upper ball joint when you take it apart.

Thanks Scott. I certainly will post up once I get the new ones in. I called and spoke with Tom at SPC before ordering replacements. He said I could send them in for warranty review.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't shop some uniball UCAs before ordering the SPC replacements.

 

[Intruder]

Thanks Scott. I certainly will post up once I get the new ones in. I called and spoke with Tom at SPC before ordering replacements. He said I could send them in for warranty review.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't shop some uniball UCAs before ordering the SPC replacements.

After only 8 months I hope they'd warranty them no questions asked. Mine at least lasted a couple years including some really hard off road use. From what I've heard their customer service is quite good, it just sucks that you have to send the joints in and lose the use of your 4Runner for however long it takes. Option B would be to order replacements from Wheeler's then if SPC sends you warranty replacements keep them as backups for next time - which will hopefully be longer than 8 months from now.

 

[adam2562]

*Sigh* - I'm starting to think I might be dishing out the cash for better UCAs before I'll get a chance to spend the money on better coilovers.

took the words outta my mouth.. i don't wanna spend a lot on UCA's but i also don't want headaches down the road.

 

[Intruder]

took the words outta my mouth.. i don't wanna spend a lot on UCA's but i also don't want headaches down the road.

So here's something to think about. LR UCAs are what, around $400 for a pair? Icon, TC, and Camburg are more expensive, maybe $300-$400 more. Here's the list of parts I had to replace when my ball joint broke:
CV axle
Skid control sensor wire
Inner tie rod

Parts are a lot more expensive up here, but that all added up to way more than $400 and that doesn't even include labour if you don't diy the repairs. Also throw in the cost of an alignment on top and even if you diy you might still need access to Techstream to clear all the codes. I'm not saying that every LR UCA is going to fail or that if they do fail that you're going to break the same stuff as I did, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

took the words outta my mouth.. i don't wanna spend a lot on UCA's but i also don't want headaches down the road.

I'm not saying that every LR UCA is going to fail or that if they do fail that you're going to break the same stuff as I did, but it's something to keep in mind.

These are all great points - and while my ball joints have never failed, I have had their UCAs fail twice now due to bushing design. Two failures have resulted in THREE separate UCA installation costs. LR has always replaced parts free of charge but they won't cover the installation costs due to their failures. The more expensive brands would have already paid for themselves in that respect. I guess this means I need to start learning how to install more things on my truck or upgrade and be "done".

 

[Ducmonsta]

These are all great points - and while my ball joints have never failed, I have had their UCAs fail twice now due to bushing design. Two failures have resulted in THREE separate UCA installation costs. LR has always replaced parts free of charge but they won't cover the installation costs due to their failures. The more expensive brands would have already paid for themselves in that respect. I guess this means I need to start learning how to install more things on my truck or upgrade and be "done".

It is quite a pain in the ass if you're not installing it yourself. I just recently replaced my LRs because of ball joint play, not failure. I still had the old old rubber bushing design. So that's why I went with "free" replacements from LR. But I also installed them myself and had to pay for a professional alignment. I miss you [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION]!

 

[Scott@Hightech]

It is quite a pain in the ass if you're not installing it yourself. I just recently replaced my LRs because of ball joint play, not failure. I still had the old old rubber bushing design. So that's why I went with "free" replacements from LR. But I also installed them myself and had to pay for a professional alignment. I miss you [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION]!

perks........

Don't worry, your equally missed here

 

[eddiebx]

Thanks Scott. I certainly will post up once I get the new ones in. I called and spoke with Tom at SPC before ordering replacements. He said I could send them in for warranty review.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't shop some uniball UCAs before ordering the SPC replacements.

Any chance we can get some pictures of what they look like under the boots and the conditions of the boots before you send them off to SPC?

 

[zopperman]

These are all great points - and while my ball joints have never failed, I have had their UCAs fail twice now due to bushing design. Two failures have resulted in THREE separate UCA installation costs. LR has always replaced parts free of charge but they won't cover the installation costs due to their failures. The more expensive brands would have already paid for themselves in that respect. I guess this means I need to start learning how to install more things on my truck or upgrade and be "done".

Next time you upgrade, I'll help you with the install, I'm moving back to Arlington in May after I graduate.

This thread really makes me want to ditch mine and go uniball. The Dezert toy fab or whatever makes a set for ~600 which is doable, sort of. I have a slightly tweaked spindle or something (maybe even frame) and I liked the adjustability of the LR. It seems most uniballs have +2 caster while the LR can go up to +4 and you can mess with camber. Hopefully mine will just last. I have the newest style ones and I just put them on a few months ago...

 

[4ShoreRunner]

It is quite a pain in the ass if you're not installing it yourself.

Bobby - lets be clear that your shop and your guys [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] were anything than a pain the ass. It was because of your work and dedication to service that always got me back on the road efficiently as possible.

Although I could have saved some cash, I trust my truck (and therefor my life) in the hands of Hightech.

 

[Ducmonsta]

perks........

Don't worry, your equally missed here

:hug:

Time to thread jack, 2 things
1. *you're
2. Take it easy on Brendan. He's not "Bobby" but he's a helluva lot better than what has come through that door. I guarantee that he'll catch up with all the aftermarket stuff and labor times. I've only been gone for 4 months. You and I both know he can manage that shop and everything that comes with it. Brendan needs your help and guidance sometimes. Give it to him and he'll return the favor 10 fold.


Ok, I'm done. Now what's going on with these Light Racing control arms again?:fear:

 

[HokieRunner]

After only 8 months I hope they'd warranty them no questions asked. Mine at least lasted a couple years including some really hard off road use. From what I've heard their customer service is quite good, it just sucks that you have to send the joints in and lose the use of your 4Runner for however long it takes. Option B would be to order replacements from Wheeler's then if SPC sends you warranty replacements keep them as backups for next time - which will hopefully be longer than 8 months from now.

I got the replacements ordered from Wheelers. I bought the UCAs off another forum member who bought them new and then changed his mind before installing them. This fact complicates any warranty process, obviously. Having the 4runner inoperable isn't an option for me as I go through heavy withdrawal symptoms hahaha.

Any chance we can get some pictures of what they look like under the boots and the conditions of the boots before you send them off to SPC?

you got it! Sounds like the RF joint is the worst of the two but I'll post up pics of both once I pull them.

Bobby - lets be clear that your shop and your guys [MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] were anything than a pain the ass. It was because of your work and dedication to service that always got me back on the road efficiently as possible.

Although I could have saved some cash, I trust my truck (and therefor my life) in the hands of Hightech.

This is spot on. I really enjoy working on vehicles and it's been my #1 love since I was a teen. But having a shop like High Tech nearby is a blessing. I trust very few people with my vehicles but in the event I need unplanned work or don't have time to do the job myself, they're the first place I would go or recommend.

Looks like Zak beat me to it but 4ShoreRunner...If you ever need a hand wrenching or learning the ropes on something just give me a shout.

 

[Canazes9]

Some of the Camburg UCA's w/ the MOOG ball joint w/ zerk pre-pressed from Wheelers would seem to be the compromise between ball joints/Uni-ball maintenance and increased caster requirements that the LR UCA seems to fall short on.

Camburg UCA - 310040 "Ball-Joint" Upper Control Arm Set with Moog Ball Joints Pre-installed

I have never tried these UCA's myself, so I have no first hand experience and have read little about them. A few comments about the MOOG ball joints being lower in quaiity than the (excellent) Toyota ball joints is all I can find, but all they seem to reference is that they are slightly oversized and difficult to press correctly - a problem seemingly avoided by having Wheelers do it.

I would be interested in hearing others opinions about the Wheeler's Camburg/Moog UCA....

David

 

[Scott@Hightech]

:hug:

Time to thread jack, 2 things
1. *you're
2. Take it easy on Brendan. He's not "Bobby" but he's a helluva lot better than what has come through that door. I guarantee that he'll catch up with all the aftermarket stuff and labor times. I've only been gone for 4 months. You and I both know he can manage that shop and everything that comes with it. Brendan needs your help and guidance sometimes. Give it to him and he'll return the favor 10 fold.


Ok, I'm done. Now what's going on with these Light Racing control arms again?:fear:

That wasn't my intentions behind that post. Things are fine here. I miss having you as a friend here.