Light Racing UCA post-install question.

[KCcarguy]

Hey fella's. I installed some LR UCA's today and all went well. I positioned the ball joint caster adjustment at the "D" position as was recommended by many on the forum. However, I didn't know what to do camber-wise, So I just left it in the middle....is that what I'm supposed to do? It made sense to me, but after I let the truck down and drove it a bit, the front looks like it has some negative camber. Is this OK? To be expected? I plan to get it aligned on Monday (and I won't drive it much until then). Should I just let the guys at the shop deal with it when it's aligned, or adjust myself? I'm thinking maybe I should just let them try to align it first, then go from there? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[K O]

You have it reversed. Get it close if you want, but let the alignment pros do the final touching. Once they've tightened all the alignment bolts, don't loosen them up, or you'll need to get another alignment. They're using computer-assisted alignment to get your wheels true and straight.

 

[KCcarguy]

Thanks K.O. What do you mean reversed? I'll let them to the work, but I was hoping I'd get close enough they wouldn't have to touch the adjustments on the UCA....not sure I trust them.

 

[FERAL 4R]

Set the ball joint all the way out, to the end, before you take it to get aligned.

 

[KCcarguy]

Set the ball joint all the way out, to the end, before you take it to get aligned.

OK. That's what I needed to know. Thanks! :cheers:

 

[STLDAVE]

Hey fella's. I installed some LR UCA's today and all went well. I positioned the ball joint caster adjustment at the "D" position as was recommended by many on the forum. However, I didn't know what to do camber-wise, So I just left it in the middle....is that what I'm supposed to do? It made sense to me, but after I let the truck down and drove it a bit, the front looks like it has some negative camber. Is this OK? To be expected? I plan to get it aligned on Monday (and I won't drive it much until then). Should I just let the guys at the shop deal with it when it's aligned, or adjust myself? I'm thinking maybe I should just let them try to align it first, then go from there? Any advice is much appreciated!

I had the same question when I installed mine and got recommendations of "all the way out" to "1/4 inch in". I think Harper had a post where he set his at 1/4 inch in from the most outward location which was where I set mine. The camber ad caster were set to factory recommendations with about 2 1/4 inch lift. At those settings the adjustment cams on the lower control arms were all close to the center of the adjustment range.

However, I may pull the LR upper ball joint all the way out as I found the ABS wire is contacting the coil at full extension and full lock. It's the same bracket that holds the lowest section of brake line. Make sure the ABS wire isn't stressed at full extension and steering lock either.

 

[KCcarguy]

Thanks Dave! I plan to do the adjustments today. I think it would be a lot simpler to just bring them all the way out. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[shaneotool]

so what is the proper way to adjust the ball joint after the uca is already installed?
Jack the car up and take the tire off first?
My ball joint is in the proper "d" position, but it is all the way in and I want to move it all the way out before I get it aligned.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

so what is the proper way to adjust the ball joint after the uca is already installed?
Jack the car up and take the tire off first?
My ball joint is in the proper "d" position, but it is all the way in and I want to move it all the way out before I get it aligned.

Unload the axle as much as possible; i.e. jack up the corner and loosen the top nut and then pull the hub as far out as possible. You can take the wheel off if you want as its easier to get at the nut.

 

[shaneotool]

Unload the axle as much as possible; i.e. jack up the corner and loosen the top nut and then pull the hub as far out as possible. You can take the wheel off if you want as its easier to get at the nut.

thanks for the confrimation. I'll jack it up to get the tire off the ground before loosening the nut.