Light Racing UCAs/Ball Joints - Frustrated

W8kbrder

W8kbrder

New member
HI all,

I know there are multiple threads on this but are the new updated ball joints sold over at wheelers off road worth replacing with?

I noticed my tires started wearing on the insides. Thinking my camber was off, I had a shop put it in the air to find out there was about an inch of play on both front wheels. Minutes from catastrophic failure.

Wish I had known about these LR UCAs sooner. I bought these back in 2013 when they were all the rave on the forums. Being that I haven't visited the forums in a while (i have 3 kids and don't have time for much these days! :)) it seems these are now dog poo.

I don't have cash to replace the UCAs all together so any recommendations on replacement ball joints and how often do they need to be replaced? Every 20k? Crazy to think that but it seems everyone is having the same issues of premature wear on these things.

thanks!
 
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Yea, can't always trust the forums....Things can go go from all the rage to all the poo in a heartbeat. Have to watch things over time to get a feel for the true story.

But as I understand it, The updated ball joints are much better and last longer. Still not the most solid UCA on the market, but should give you more trouble free miles. Might as well replace the bushings while you at it...those will be next if not already bad.

If you don't have time for hassles... (and boy do I understand that mode) Keeping it stock is your best bet.
 
I don't personally have the LR arms, so I can't speak from experience, but I read a few threads about people calling LR and getting new ball joints for free. LR acknowledged they were shitty/defective from what I understand. Maybe worth a phone call.
 
wfo9 said:
Yea, can't always trust the forums....Things can go go from all the rage to all the poo in a heartbeat. Have to watch things over time to get a feel for the true story.

But as I understand it, The updated ball joints are much better and last longer. Still not the most solid UCA on the market, but should give you more trouble free miles. Might as well replace the bushings while you at it...those will be next if not already bad.

If you don't have time for hassles... (and boy do I understand that mode) Keeping it stock is your best bet.
Click to expand...

Brian3676 said:
I don't personally have the LR arms, so I can't speak from experience, but I read a few threads about people calling LR and getting new ball joints for free. LR acknowledged they were shitty/defective from what I understand. Maybe worth a phone call.
Click to expand...

Thanks all. I will be calling them to see if they will cover the new ball joints. but I'm not expecting anything great.
 
LR UCA's

Please keep us updated on how LR handles your request. Do yours have the Zerk fittings or are they without?
Thanks.
 
I have been running the LR UCA's since 2012 when I lifted my rig at 100 miles. I now have about 39k miles. I have read all of the horror stories about these UCA's, therefore I have watched these things like a hawk. I have been through two different bushing/sleeve/washer designs (covered for free by calling SPC). Just recently I noticed they made the new ball joint design, which is supposed to be superior. I called SPC again and they confirmed these ball joints are a significant upgrade, but they would not warranty mine since I had almost 40k miles on them. I ordered a new set through Wheeler's to stay proactive even though my ball joints did not show any signs of failure. I am hoping they provide many worry free miles.

If I were you I would drop the money to upgrade the ball joints. At a minimum for piece of mind. If I had to do it over again, I would probably go with different UCA's. However, I have not had any issues with mine but, as I mentioned, it has not been an install and forget case.
 
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Anyone have an idea of the new ball joint torque specs?

I purchased some new ball joints in July of 2015 shortly before SPC released the new design and after 30k they are shot. I've also had to replace the bushings to the spec ride bushing due to the others disintegrating.

Gonna give the new ball joints a chance and if I have anymore issues I'm gonna switch to a more reliable UCA.


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SKINUM said:
Anyone have an idea of the new ball joint torque specs?

I purchased some new ball joints in July of 2015 shortly before SPC released the new design and after 30k they are shot. I've also had to replace the bushings to the spec ride bushing due to the others disintegrating.

Gonna give the new ball joints a chance and if I have anymore issues I'm gonna switch to a more reliable UCA.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Large top nut: 150 ft/lbs
Castle nut: 45 ft/lbs

This is per SPC instructions.
 
I contacted LR in regards to warranty for my ball joints I purchased in August of 2015. I'm unsure why they need a receipt for the arms when the ball joints are the issue.

This is the response:

For all warranties I need a few things.

#1 copies of the original purchase receipts for all of the products. ( so in
your case the original arm purchase would be what we are going off of)
(please also include the replacement parts receipts as well)

#2 Photos of the part number on the ball joints (this number is located on
the gold colored ball joint plate on one of the side panels.) please make
sure the part number is visible.



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