NEED HELP! Light Racing UCA's installation

[preacher35]

TWO ISSUES:

So, I am right in the middle of my Toytec Ultimate lift install and have just installed one of the Light Racing/SPC UCA's and something does not seem right. Once I inserted the REALLY LONG pivot bolt through the giant washer, UCA pivot bushing, pivot bolt tube, final UCA pivot bushing, final final giant washer followed by nut, I noticed a hell of a lot of play between the pivot bushings and the loooong pivot bolt tube that runs diagonally behind the shock tower. I can grab the UCA and slide it, diagonally, about an eighth of an inch. Is this normal? I know I did the installation correctly, according the the single page instructions. Also, there are no "inside" pivot bushing washers provided nor do the instructions call for any. Is something amiss here?

I had one other question: The big brass nut, on top of the ball joint assembly, seems awkward to me as it looks as though it would not take much pressure to simply push said assembly up its little grooved path and thus knock off camber. How tight do I have to tighten it? I do not have a proper torque wrench. Can I just put on the appropriate sized socket and give it hell?

 

[TheArkMaster]

I cannot remember exactly how much play my LR UCAs had but one thing is for sure, go to autozone, rent a torque wrench. You'll pay $100 but you'll get $100 back when you return it. I would torque any bolt that should be torqued. There is a reason they have a number to be torqued to. That and you don't want to over-tighten them either.

 

[blk-4runner]

I had the same issue even with it being torque down, still had play so I went to my local hardware shop and grab 2 washer, and no more play at all.

 

[preacher35]

I read somewhere that SPC stopped including "inside" washers as they would ultimately destroy the pivot bushings.... I am assuming that this is why my kit did not include them. Anybody else have any insight on this?

 

[inscarguy]

thats odd. i just installed a set on mine and no play at all.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would call SPC. I don't have any play in my UCAs so something isn't right. SPC does have a good help line.

As for the big nut, I think it is 150 ft.lbs. I would have to dig out the paperwork to be sure though. I would also advise that you get a torque wrench for this install.

So far mine have been great. I have been on a lot of rough roads, trails and everything is still tight.

 

[Greydog]

Yup, the inner washers were deleted from the kit as they were causing squeaking or rubbing the bushings...apparently.

For mine, I used/added-in 2 of the stock concave washers at those inboard positions, one of each side. I made sure they curved in toward the tower so they did not make contact with the bushing material. They just take up slack between that diagonal tower tube and the bushing inner steel sleeve.

Add some lube so they don't grind and you should be all set, mine have been in for 1.5 years and still all good, even after 2 winters of sand/grime.

The big nut on the BJ takes a lot of torque, cant remember what it is, I would rent a torque wrench so you are sure its at the proper setting. Mine has been adjusted a few times, is solid when set, never loosened up.

 

[preacher35]

Hey, Greydog. Thanks for that. I am going to follow your advice and use the OEM "concaved" washers as you directed. Hopefully, by early morning, I'll have both passenger and driver sides completed and they will be nice and tight. Oh, and I went ahead, bit the bullet and purchased a torque wrench. Wish me luck!

 

[NJshadow93]

Hey, Greydog. Thanks for that. I am going to follow your advice and use the OEM "concaved" washers as you directed. Hopefully, by early morning, I'll have both passenger and driver sides completed and they will be nice and tight. Oh, and I went ahead, bit the bullet and purchased a torque wrench. Wish me luck!

Before you go adding any parts, I would call SPC and tell them what's going on. Maybe they sent you a defective part and need to send you a new one. I wouldn't feel comfortable trusting a major suspension component that wasn't quite right out of the box without adding some extra parts to it. Mine have been on for a year and a half and have been solid.

 

[preacher35]

Before you go adding any parts, I would call SPC and tell them what's going on. Maybe they sent you a defective part and need to send you a new one. I wouldn't feel comfortable trusting a major suspension component that wasn't quite right out of the box without adding some extra parts to it. Mine have been on for a year and a half and have been solid.

Yes, that is good advice. I will give them a call tomorrow for clarification as I have left the passenger side in limbo whilst finishing the driver side (which, btw, fitted perfectly).

 

[inscarguy]

when i did mine it said on the instructions not to use the OEM washers.

 

[preacher35]

OK, figured I'd give everyone an update. I spoke to "Alan" in tech support over at SPC and explained the issue. He stated in no uncertain terms "DO NOT USE THE OEM WASHERS, NOR ANY WASHERS, FOR THAT MATTER, ON THE INNER SIDES OF THE PIVOT BUSHINGS. TORQUE THE PIVOT BOLT TO 85 FT. LBS AND THAT SHOULD TAKE UP ANY AND ALL SLACK". Got it. Did it. DONE!