mtncrawler
New member
So to preface, this wasn't a failure of the LR UCA - but a field fail from a possible suspect installation. I don't know for sure so I don't want to go there, so regardless I just have some install/parts questions. A little history first.
I purchased my Toytec Ultimate lift and LR UCA's a couple years ago and had them installed at a local shop. Time constraints, mechanical noobie....etc, etc. So up until last week, things have been great. I had never off-roaded except for the occasion desert track/two track.
Last week, I was on the White Rim trail in Utah when my right front UCA failed. I was about 15 miles out on the road - just before the Airport CG. For those of you who know this area, pretty remote. I was climbing a rocky hill, when I thought I had a rock catch up under the suspension. When I crested the hill, I stopped. Observed that the front wheel was entirely caved in - toed out - so I gently nursed it to the bottom. First observation (not very good on my part I might add) had me thinking the UCA bolt snapped - how I don't know, but the forward bushing was still holding with the bolt partially through it, and the rear side of the UCA was caved in - top inside of tire rubbing on UCA.
Without thinking much, I slowly - very slowly - nursed it back the way I came (maybe a mile?), but the tire was just getting too hot. I calmed down, pulled to the side, jacked things up, took the wheel off and took a closer look. What I realized was that the bolt was indeed intact, but that the nut had probably been backing out over time - maybe even fell off a ways back, and the bolt was slowly backing itself out, until it was pulled completely outside the rear most bushing and let loose. I managed to re-align the rear bushing and pushed the bolt back through - but was missing the washers and nuts. Using climbing webbing, nylon chord, and ratchet strap (I searched other points on the vehicle for a donor nut of the right size to no avail) I actually was able to drive (albeight very slow) all the way back in to Moab. (6 hrs). Talk about nerve-racking.
Once there, a local shop helped with with a spare nut and UCA bushing washers (or at least close) to get me back on the road. All that for a simple nut. After "re-assembly" in a local parking lot - things really felt solid, so although I missed out on the White Rim (this time), I was able to finish my road trip.
Now the questions about parts/install - finally! So here are a few reference photos of the LEFT (intact) side. From the front - you'll notice the bolt head, a larger washer, the forward UCA/bushing, then another washer, shock tower. On that same side, rear, you see the shock tower, a large washer, the UCA/bushing, another washer, then the UCA nut. So four washers total. This is how it was installed two years ago.
LEFT Front UCA
LEFT Rear UCA
From what I gather - even talked with Toytec - there really are only two washers per UCA side - one under the head of the long bolt - and one just before the nut goes on. Unlike what I'm seeing in the pic (Intact side above). This is what led me to try and find two washers to complete my field repair in Moab.
Was my original install correct? Am I really seeing 4 washers on that LEFT side? I looked at my "parts box" that was returned to me and there were 4 "domed" washers that I assume were the OEM's (after reading the LR UCA install instructions online). I even looked at the LR bushing kit on Toytecs site, and it only comes with 4 washers total (not 8, like would be necessary if that original install is correct).
Now here are some pics of the RIGHT side after repair. You'll notice that one "inside" washer on the rear UCA bushing looks thicker (and it is), but it was the only one I could find at the time in Moab. Keep in mind, I was only going off what I saw on the LEFT UCA side/install for reference.
RIGHT Front UCA (Stayed fairly intact and never backed out far enough to lose washers or bolt)
RIGHT Rear UCA (where all the fun happened!)
So I want to get the right parts back on this thing and I'm puzzled by what I see on the LEFT side and whats offered (in conflict?) up on the Toytec site. I checked with Toyota as well - and they confirm only two larger washers per side on the OEM fiche. Also, does anyone have the torque values for these bolts/nuts?
Hop that wasn't too confusing - kind of a trip report/field failure/parts question all in one!
Thanks for any feedback or help...
I purchased my Toytec Ultimate lift and LR UCA's a couple years ago and had them installed at a local shop. Time constraints, mechanical noobie....etc, etc. So up until last week, things have been great. I had never off-roaded except for the occasion desert track/two track.
Last week, I was on the White Rim trail in Utah when my right front UCA failed. I was about 15 miles out on the road - just before the Airport CG. For those of you who know this area, pretty remote. I was climbing a rocky hill, when I thought I had a rock catch up under the suspension. When I crested the hill, I stopped. Observed that the front wheel was entirely caved in - toed out - so I gently nursed it to the bottom. First observation (not very good on my part I might add) had me thinking the UCA bolt snapped - how I don't know, but the forward bushing was still holding with the bolt partially through it, and the rear side of the UCA was caved in - top inside of tire rubbing on UCA.
Without thinking much, I slowly - very slowly - nursed it back the way I came (maybe a mile?), but the tire was just getting too hot. I calmed down, pulled to the side, jacked things up, took the wheel off and took a closer look. What I realized was that the bolt was indeed intact, but that the nut had probably been backing out over time - maybe even fell off a ways back, and the bolt was slowly backing itself out, until it was pulled completely outside the rear most bushing and let loose. I managed to re-align the rear bushing and pushed the bolt back through - but was missing the washers and nuts. Using climbing webbing, nylon chord, and ratchet strap (I searched other points on the vehicle for a donor nut of the right size to no avail) I actually was able to drive (albeight very slow) all the way back in to Moab. (6 hrs). Talk about nerve-racking.
Once there, a local shop helped with with a spare nut and UCA bushing washers (or at least close) to get me back on the road. All that for a simple nut. After "re-assembly" in a local parking lot - things really felt solid, so although I missed out on the White Rim (this time), I was able to finish my road trip.
Now the questions about parts/install - finally! So here are a few reference photos of the LEFT (intact) side. From the front - you'll notice the bolt head, a larger washer, the forward UCA/bushing, then another washer, shock tower. On that same side, rear, you see the shock tower, a large washer, the UCA/bushing, another washer, then the UCA nut. So four washers total. This is how it was installed two years ago.
LEFT Front UCA
LEFT Rear UCA
From what I gather - even talked with Toytec - there really are only two washers per UCA side - one under the head of the long bolt - and one just before the nut goes on. Unlike what I'm seeing in the pic (Intact side above). This is what led me to try and find two washers to complete my field repair in Moab.
Was my original install correct? Am I really seeing 4 washers on that LEFT side? I looked at my "parts box" that was returned to me and there were 4 "domed" washers that I assume were the OEM's (after reading the LR UCA install instructions online). I even looked at the LR bushing kit on Toytecs site, and it only comes with 4 washers total (not 8, like would be necessary if that original install is correct).
Now here are some pics of the RIGHT side after repair. You'll notice that one "inside" washer on the rear UCA bushing looks thicker (and it is), but it was the only one I could find at the time in Moab. Keep in mind, I was only going off what I saw on the LEFT UCA side/install for reference.
RIGHT Front UCA (Stayed fairly intact and never backed out far enough to lose washers or bolt)
RIGHT Rear UCA (where all the fun happened!)
So I want to get the right parts back on this thing and I'm puzzled by what I see on the LEFT side and whats offered (in conflict?) up on the Toytec site. I checked with Toyota as well - and they confirm only two larger washers per side on the OEM fiche. Also, does anyone have the torque values for these bolts/nuts?
Hop that wasn't too confusing - kind of a trip report/field failure/parts question all in one!
Thanks for any feedback or help...
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