UCA comparison
- Thread starter MadeInMaine
- Start date
Stu-Runner
Member
Ducmonsta
New member
Yup, what Qjake said.
kpd1999
New member
Any update? Your sig says LR UCAs. Did you not end up going with the Icons?
4ShoreRunner
New member
I've been running the Icon Tubular UCAs for 3-4 months now and I've been very happy with them. No squeaks or noises yet and I'm not running the dust covers.
I think the consensus is that these covers may do more harm than good since it isn't a great seal. Dust/water can probably make its way in there and then not be able to escape.
kpd1999
New member
So Icon, Camburg, and TC are all about on par with each other in terms or reliability and its more about personal preference and not performance/application based when choosing one? I understand one of the Camburgs uses an OEM ball and it would be easier to find a replacement in a bind, but I really just want to avoid the bind.....
To put it in another way, someone couldn't go wrong purchasing any of them?
To put it in another way, someone couldn't go wrong purchasing any of them?
Jeremy556
New member
I don't think you can purchase a replacement OEM ball joint, IIRC they only come as part of the UCA. You'll probably also be limited in down travel with the OEM ball joint.
Scott@Hightech
New member
This statement is correct. I've installed almost every UCA and of the 3 you listed I have not seen anything between those 3 that would make me not want to install a set on my personal vehicle.
UtahSooner
New member
Ha, no, I did end up buying the Icons but I'm hesitant to admit that they're still sitting in a box in the garage waiting to be installed... Was ready to install them late last Fall when we got a super cold front come thru town and I wussed out (something about working on the truck in an unheated garage when it's below zero outside wasn't appealing...). Kept putting it off as mtb race season was coming up and I was building/overhauling my race bikes... Been keeping a close eye on my LR UCAs and they seem to be holding up OK -- the bushings are visibly cracked so they do need to be replaced soon but the truck drove fine to/from Leadville, CO this past weekend for the LT100.
Just ordered the new TRD Pro black wheels (yes, they're now availalble for those that want them) and they should be in tomorrow so I'm hoping to have some time to do the Icon UCA install over the weekend or early next week.
Jimfirefitr
New member
UCA Info
I am going the ball joint route and trying to decide between LR or the Camburg with Moog ball joint pre installed. I leaning towards the Camburg due to the problems stated in threads such as this one for the LR. My application will be Toytec adjustable coilover with Bilstein at 0 in front, and SAW 1.5 with Bilstein in rear. This is more "pavement princess" hence the ball joint route. I simply haven't found any reviews of the Camburg with Moog. I have PM'ed [MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION] but have yet to hear back. Any idea if I would be able to obtain close to 4* caster with these? I was told by Wheelers that the Camburg has 2* built in. Also, does anyone recommend the Camburg over LR? This is my only holdup from acing my order, any help is appreciated.
I am going the ball joint route and trying to decide between LR or the Camburg with Moog ball joint pre installed. I leaning towards the Camburg due to the problems stated in threads such as this one for the LR. My application will be Toytec adjustable coilover with Bilstein at 0 in front, and SAW 1.5 with Bilstein in rear. This is more "pavement princess" hence the ball joint route. I simply haven't found any reviews of the Camburg with Moog. I have PM'ed [MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION] but have yet to hear back. Any idea if I would be able to obtain close to 4* caster with these? I was told by Wheelers that the Camburg has 2* built in. Also, does anyone recommend the Camburg over LR? This is my only holdup from acing my order, any help is appreciated.
thebwlife
Senior Member
Sorry about no pm back.
The fj guys have run these with no problems. The hardest part is pressing the BJ in, but if you have wheelers do that it should be good to go.
You should be able to get close to the 4* mark with a good alignment guy.
I personally would never run LR on my truck. Too many issues with bushings, bjs, and even welds breaking. With the higher end brands you don't hear about this stuff (mostly welds breaking) happening.
Jimfirefitr
New member
Ha thanks [MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION]. You are the only one I found on here with these and didn't see much in the FJ forums.
Stu-Runner
Member
I'm also running the Camburg arms with Moog BJs. I had them pressed in by Wheelers before they shipped. Been running them for several months. I switched out the LR arms because of all the issues. As mentioned above you should be able to get the caster you're looking for with them.
Stu
Stu
Jimfirefitr
New member
Thanks [MENTION=78083]Stu-Runner[/MENTION]. I ordered these last night along with other components from Wheelers. Now the 255 vs 285 decision so I can get everything installed.
gm350reratliff
New member
I also ordered the Camburgs with Moog BJs pressed in yesterday. Hopefully, in a couple weeks I'll be able to give a review along with the ICON COs and SAW 1.5" rear springs.
FWIW, the LR UCAs on my 4th gen have been fine for a couple years now. Guess I'm lucky. Finding wood to knock on now.....
FWIW, the LR UCAs on my 4th gen have been fine for a couple years now. Guess I'm lucky. Finding wood to knock on now.....
Last edited:
Sorry to revive an old thread but I have a couple quick questions. I recently lifted my 06 sr5 with OME heavy/heavy and installed some hankook dynapro MTs. I want to get better alignment, Im not planing on any heavy offroading. My wife and I eventually want to do some colorado and some utah camping trips. Maybe some tuttle creek here and there. After reading all the bad things about LR those are out. A few visits to other sites are saying camburg customer service sucks and that the moog BJ's are really hard to press in. Im leaning toward the TC with the stainless Uni's. Im not afraid of a little maintenance. sometimes I'm bad about remembering to do it but not always. Ive read various things about the pros and cons of each but one thing stood out and im not sure how true it but someone was saying that uniballs cant really fail, and if they do the bolt still holds them together vs a ball joint can break separating and causing other damage. Im sure uniballs are probably overkill but Im also the kind of guy that would rather have something and not need it then to need it and not have it. While my ball joints are good, I have noticed a bit of grease coming from out of the boot. So it kind of has me a bit worried and I want to change the UCA soon, but another part if me thinks its just a bit of excess that squeezed out from the angles of the new lift similar to the cv boots. Any info or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton guys.
Stu-Runner
Member
I've been pleased with Camburg arms and Moog BJ's with zero noise You can order the arms with new BJs pressed in so this solves the press issue (at least initially). This is the route I went. From the wheeling you described I think uniball's are overkill... The Moog BJ's are designed to ooze grease at the bottom when full. Obviously not through a torn boot but through a little dimple at the bottom of the boot. A lot of stuff I read when researching arms was that the uniball's needed a lot of attention to stay quiet and were designed for more extreme wheeling. That's why I opted for Camburgs, plus using the stock Moog BJs was a plus. They are easier to find than the more specialized uniball's.
-Stu
-Stu
Alternative UCA: New Kid in Town...
I installed the JBA OffRoad UCA's. They use a BJ design that has more articulation than uniballs. BJ has a zerk fitting. Made in the USA, several Tacoma people run them. I have been wheeling a couple of times, so no long term testing yet. They come with a great warranty! And the alignment comes in with great caster numbers.
NZDZRT
I installed the JBA OffRoad UCA's. They use a BJ design that has more articulation than uniballs. BJ has a zerk fitting. Made in the USA, several Tacoma people run them. I have been wheeling a couple of times, so no long term testing yet. They come with a great warranty! And the alignment comes in with great caster numbers.
NZDZRT
