UCA comparison

[MadeInMaine]

Hey Fellas,

Ive been looking through the site and haven't found a thread for this, but I was hoping to get PROS v CONS for UCAs

Hopefully this would be something people would be able to use in the future also.

For people who need an aftermarket UCA (stock doesn't have enough travel for their use), what are the PROs and CONs of the brands of UCAs you fellas have?

Cheers

 

[cbielat]

I'm running the SPC Light Racing UCA's. I just had to replace my bushings in them as they wore out since I've had them for one year. Since then, SPC had updated the bushings so I now have the new "Ride Spec" in there now. Overall, UCA's are nice to aid in extra travel and wheel alignment. Good to have for a lifted vehicle. Although, there are those who don't use aftermarket UCA's and still have a lift.

 

[limamike]

I have been running the SPC Light Racing UCAs as well without issue until I did an inspection after the Summit. I found that my bushings look as though they've dry-rotted and are completely shot. The truck still handles fine, and I just ran it through some really tough offroad trails, but it definitely has me concerned. Here are some pictures (@ducmonsta - here's some for reference. It does look like I have the new bushings, right? I only see one washer.)

 

[cbielat]

I have been running the SPC Light Racing UCAs as well without issue until I did an inspection after the Summit. I found that my bushings look as though they've dry-rotted and are completely shot. The truck still handles fine, and I just ran it through some really tough offroad trails, but it definitely has me concerned. Here are some pictures (@ducmonsta - here's some for reference. It does look like I have the new bushings, right? I only see one washer.)

It looks like you have the old ones. How long have you had them?

 

[thebwlife]

I plan on doing the Cambergs with the moot bjs from wheeler offroad. OEM part number ball joints and greese zerks for $530. Or you can get them and press your own in for like $380 + $50 in replacement joints.

Meaning anywhere I'm at in the USA could fix them if needed. No ordering special joints! The grease zerks should eliminate the bushing issues.

 

[Hondaluvr1985]

Lite Racing UCA

So...after reading this should I cancel my order? Or is anyone sure on if they updated the bushings?

Thanks!!!

 

[limamike]

I have been running the SPC Light Racing UCAs as well without issue until I did an inspection after the Summit. I found that my bushings look as though they've dry-rotted and are completely shot. The truck still handles fine, and I just ran it through some really tough offroad trails, but it definitely has me concerned. Here are some pictures (@ducmonsta - here's some for reference. It does look like I have the new bushings, right? I only see one washer.)

It looks like you have the old ones. How long have you had them?

Couple of years.

 

[cbielat]

Couple of years.

Then I believe you had the original style bushings as I had.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Here are pics of my co-workers Light Racing Arms from his Tacoma. He commutes about 50 miles a day, does no hard core wheeling, only camping trips with his family. He was driving on the freeway when he said there was a strange feeling in the steering wheel, he pulled off to find this:










Light Racing was on the spot with their customer service and sent my buddy out a brand new pair, no questions asked. Good customer service.

 

[MadeInMaine]

good words fellas

 

[K0nfusion]

Mine is still brand new and has less than 1K miles, however this is a very helpful thread! Very good information all around!

 

[Jesse1983]

I ran my Total Chaos UCA's on my Tacoma for a few years, then transferred them to the 4Runner. They've been on the 4Runner for about 3 years, ~20,000 miles. I re-grease them once a year and I've never had an issue.

 

[limamike]

After seeing what socal posted, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to bother with replacing the bushings any longer. That is the second set of LR UCAs I've seen, and probably the 5th I've heard about, that have just completely broken like that. Actually, I'm not pretty sure, I'm definitely going to switch.

 

[MadeInMaine]

I ran my Total Chaos UCA's on my Tacoma for a few years, then transferred them to the 4Runner. They've been on the 4Runner for about 3 years, ~20,000 miles. I re-grease them once a year and I've never had an issue.

I have also heard lots of great things about the TC UCAs from my tacoma days...

 

[04rnr]

Here are pics of my co-workers Light Racing Arms from his Tacoma. He commutes about 50 miles a day, does no hard core wheeling, only camping trips with his family. He was driving on the freeway when he said there was a strange feeling in the steering wheel, he pulled off to find this:

Light Racing was on the spot with their customer service and sent my buddy out a brand new pair, no questions asked. Good customer service.

That's AWESOME,,,,Good on you Light Racing :clap2:

 

[-Trev-]

Light Racing UCA bushings

So...after reading this should I cancel my order? Or is anyone sure on if they updated the bushings?

Thanks!!!

I just contacted the manufacturer yesterday about the updated bushings and got the following:

"We did recently change to the Spec Ride bushings, but this change was done at the beginning of the year for all of the Toyota arms we manufacture, so pretty much any arm you purchase at this point will have the upgraded bushings already....
I just double checked and it looks like the last control arms that we shipped with the old style bushings were shipped 5/8/12 from here. It is pretty unlikely that you will get some control arms with the older style bushings. They do not have a manufacture date stamped on them at all, but the visual difference is fairly large. If you order from a company that goes through these arms pretty quickly you should be good to go."

Works for me

 

[MadeInMaine]

strong work

 

[TOY2G]

Hey Fellas,

Ive been looking through the site and haven't found a thread for this, but I was hoping to get PROS v CONS for UCAs

Hopefully this would be something people would be able to use in the future also.

For people who need an aftermarket UCA (stock doesn't have enough travel for their use), what are the PROs and CONs of the brands of UCAs you fellas have?

Cheers

I am running All-Pro on my 2013, and the tubular icon on my 2003. I had the lite racing on the 2003 first and I suffered bad bushing failure twice in a year. I then replaced them with bushings from energy suspension. After about 8 months the lite racing drivers side arm bent. I did not know it, I just noticed a pull to the left. I thought it was an alignment issue so I took it in. Firestone found the bent arm. I ordered icon the next week.

FYI my 4runners do not see crazy wheeling. Just overland and mountain trails.

 

[phillyd2]

Bought my LC UCA in Feb 2012 so I guess its the 'old' version. Still looks fine from what I can see but can the bushing alone be changed or does the entire thing need replacing? And....are there any telltale signs of the bushing going to hell?

 

[limamike]

Bought my LC UCA in Feb 2012 so I guess its the 'old' version. Still looks fine from what I can see but can the bushing alone be changed or does the entire thing need replacing? And....are there any telltale signs of the bushing going to hell?

The progression of my bushings:

1. Squeaking like crazy
2. Silence
3. Coming apart