LR UCA making noise

[NJshadow93]

I've searched and found a few threads, but like many other issues people encounter around here, nobody ever reports back their findings or solutions.

My driver side UCA seems to be making a lot of noise lately. It makes a squeak noise when hitting bumps and a creaking type noise when turning slowly. It just started within the past couple of weeks and it is growing more irritating just because I notice it.

I bounced the front end and heard the noise. I had a friend do the same thing while I looked and I am almost certain it is the UCA. I sprayed some WD40 on the 3 bolts and the ball joint and did not really notice a difference (maybe slight?) I do believe I have the newer style UCA. I've only had them installed for a few months. Thanks for any input.

 

[aha2988]

The squeak I dealt with in my LR UCA's came from the upper ball joint the ball joints that came with my UCA's left a gap between the UBJ boot and the top of the steering spindle. The gap allowed debris to enter the UBJ and cause the squeaks. My issue was fixed by calling SPC performance in which they sent me new UBJ's with the proper length tapered shaft to allow the ball joint boot to seat on the spindle sealing the boot from dirt and crap. they charged me a 100 dollar core charge and refunded the money once they received my old squeaky ball joints.

I have the older style just for reference, and i just checked your build thread you do have the new style bushing and washer setup. But that was my ordeal not sure if it applies to yours or not

 

[HokieRunner]

OK, so judging by your build pictures here's the issue:

After SPC/Light Racing developed the new bushing setup, they started w/ 4 washers per side (one on either side of the bushing). After some testing, they found that this overcompressed the bushing causing noise and premature bushing wear/failure. In some cases the binding also backed the nut off of the UCA bolt.

So they came out with a new setup utilizing a longer inner bushing sleeve which eliminated the need for inner most washers (between the shock tower and inner side of the UCA bushing). This solved the issue.

Only reason I know this is because I contacted SPC to see if I installed something wrong based off of HOJeepsters install (he has the new 2 washer per side setup). They sent me out the new sleeve and more grease the next day and I'll be swapping them in this weekend.

After sending them an email, Steve at SPC called me within 30 mins to send me the new parts. Great customer service and I imagine this should solve my current squeaky front end!

 

[NJshadow93]

OK, so judging by your build pictures here's the issue:

After SPC/Light Racing developed the new bushing setup, they started w/ 4 washers per side (one on either side of the bushing). After some testing, they found that this overcompressed the bushing causing noise and premature bushing wear/failure. In some cases the binding also backed the nut off of the UCA bolt.

So they came out with a new setup utilizing a longer inner bushing sleeve which eliminated the need for inner most washers (between the shock tower and inner side of the UCA bushing). This solved the issue.

Only reason I know this is because I contacted SPC to see if I installed something wrong based off of HOJeepsters install (he has the new 2 washer per side setup). They sent me out the new sleeve and more grease the next day and I'll be swapping them in this weekend.

After sending them an email, Steve at SPC called me within 30 mins to send me the new parts. Great customer service and I imagine this should solve my current squeaky front end!

Here is the picture from my build:

So your issue is the same/similar to the ones I'm describing? I should contact SPC and they will send me the correct parts?

 

[eddiebx]

Did you try spraying lube from the outer edge of the bushing (where the washers are) or from the inner edge? If you sprayed the outer edge, maybe the lube is not making it's way past the washer and into the bushing?

Out of curiosity, did you use those provided lube packets on the inner metal sleeve when installing? I'm just trying to learn from your experiences before I install mines

 

[NJshadow93]

Did you try spraying lube from the outer edge of the bushing (where the washers are) or from the inner edge? If you sprayed the outer edge, maybe the lube is not making it's way past the washer and into the bushing?

Out of curiosity, did you use those provided lube packets on the inner metal sleeve when installing? I'm just trying to learn from your experiences before I install mines

Yeah I sprayed on the outer edge. Maybe I'll try spraying some more today and see if it makes a difference.

I got these for Christmas so I had a shop install them on a cold, snowy day. I'm going to assume they followed the instructions when installing and used what was provided. They haven't started to make noise until a few days ago.

 

[HokieRunner]

Here is the picture from my build:

So your issue is the same/similar to the ones I'm describing? I should contact SPC and they will send me the correct parts?

Yes. If you have washers on the inside of the UCA bushings...they shouldn't be there. Give SPC a call or an email and they should take care of you.

They told me the new sleeves and deletion of the inner washer will make a night and day difference.

I also this might be a big unknown issue. Seems everyone knows about the new specride bushings vs. the old but not many know about the 2 washers/longer sleeve vs the original specride/4 washer setup.

 

[NJshadow93]

I e-mailed SPC Performance yesterday, sent them the picture, and they're sending me new pivot sleeves and grease today. Hopefully they get here this week, I'm sure they will. That is seriously great customer service.

Anyone know the process of installing these? Would the whole UCA need to come off? Would I need an alignment afterwards?

 

[having fun]

I e-mailed SPC Performance yesterday, sent them the picture, and they're sending me new pivot sleeves and grease today. Hopefully they get here this week, I'm sure they will. That is seriously great customer service.

Anyone know the process of installing these? Would the whole UCA need to come off? Would I need an alignment afterwards?

More than likely you have to remove the uca, as the new bushing has to be replaced with the old one. It's the only way to get it out.

 

[having fun]

And what's worst about mine, my uca had side to side movement when in stalled and called SPC HOTLINE. My instructions didn't show the inside washers, nor the video on install, and they said I was missing the inside washers. Can we send you some, no my dd is torn apart and I can get some faster.

So, what gets me now is, when do mine start to squeak. And I have to call them to send me the new setup when they should have sent them at that moment.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The squeak I dealt with in my LR UCA's came from the upper ball joint the ball joints that came with my UCA's left a gap between the UBJ boot and the top of the steering spindle. The gap allowed debris to enter the UBJ and cause the squeaks. My issue was fixed by calling SPC performance in which they sent me new UBJ's with the proper length tapered shaft to allow the ball joint boot to seat on the spindle sealing the boot from dirt and crap. they charged me a 100 dollar core charge and refunded the money once they received my old squeaky ball joints.

I have the older style just for reference, and i just checked your build thread you do have the new style bushing and washer setup. But that was my ordeal not sure if it applies to yours or not

Huh... You know I never really thought twice about the fact that upper ball joint boot didn't sit flush against the spindle face. That's probably what that light squeak on bumps has been for a long time! Well, seems to be gone for now, but that's great to know.

 

[LTDSC]

thats weird you didnt get them originally. Mine was complete when i ordered mine. I havent taken mine offroad yet but id imagine thats when particles will get stuck and cause noise.

 

[NJshadow93]

This was the response I got about my issue:

Sorry to hear about the issue you are having. We have made several bushing upgrades over the past few years to help eliminate any bushing noise. In most cases we have found that when some of the older style bushings have be installed and pre-loaded they have started tearing the bushings out. This may be the issue with yours.



The newer style bushing should slide back and forth due to the make up with a center sleeve and not a bonded material. Do you know if the arms you have are bonded bushings or not?

 

[having fun]

Mine have the center sleeve in the bushing, they never came with the washers for the inside contact to the shock tower. And wasn't in the install instructions.

So, not having the inner sleeve that goes into the bushing area is the cause of the squeaking from that area?

 

[eddiebx]

Mine have the center sleeve in the bushing, they never came with the washers for the inside contact to the shock tower. And wasn't in the install instructions.

So, not having the inner sleeve that goes into the bushing area is the cause of the squeaking from that area?

I think what you are describing is the newest version of their spec-ride bushings, so you are probably good to go...

I think the older ones came with two washers for each bushing (four total) which might have caused a bit more squeaking? And the even older older ones used traditional rubber bushings which have the center sleeve bonded to the rubber material (this would make noise if you torqued them down in the wrong position; thus causing the rubber to tear eventually when you flexed them too far).

 

[having fun]

I think what you are describing is the newest version of their spec-ride bushings, so you are probably good to go...

I think the older ones came with two washers for each bushing (four total) which might have caused a bit more squeaking? And the even older older ones used traditional rubber bushings which have the center sleeve bonded to the rubber material (this would make noise if you torqued them down in the wrong position; thus causing the rubber to tear eventually when you flexed them too far).

Thx, I do have more of the non rubber ones, but, 2 washers for each bushing, total 4 washers.

 

[eddiebx]

Thx, I do have more of the non rubber ones, but, 2 washers for each bushing, total 4 washers.

I might not be reading what you wrote correctly earlier, do you mean you have 2 washers per side, or 2 per each bushing?

This instruction below is the latest LR UCA version I am aware of, and it shows only 2 per side. I scanned this from my set I received a couple of weeks ago. According to Metal Tech, this was suppose to be the newest one.

 

[having fun]

I might not be reading what you wrote correctly earlier, do you mean you have 2 washers per side, or 2 per each bushing?

This instruction below is the latest LR UCA version I am aware of, and it shows only 2 per side. I scanned this from my set I received a couple of weeks ago. According to Metal Tech, this was suppose to be the newest one.

You read right, that is the same info, directions, I received.
When I installed, mine you, exactly like it shows on there, I had movement from side to side on the long bolt. A gap of 1/16" each side of the shock tower. That's when I made a call to SPC. They had to get back to me after they open a box to tell me that a washer the same size thickness as sent, but, smaller in diameter to put into the shock tower side.

This washers are the ones they where going to send me. They also told me they where going to make a change on the instructions to show that missing washer and add it to the instructions. This was about 2-3 months ago.

 

[having fun]

i might not be reading what you wrote correctly earlier, do you mean you have 2 washers per side, or 2 per each bushing?

This instruction below is the latest lr uca version i am aware of, and it shows only 2 per side. I scanned this from my set i received a couple of weeks ago. According to metal tech, this was suppose to be the newest one.

 

[NJshadow93]

More than likely you have to remove the uca, as the new bushing has to be replaced with the old one. It's the only way to get it out.

Would the ball joint also have to be removed? Doesn't that stay attached to the UCA?