Upper Control Arm Knocking

[VA4Runner09]

So I have an 07' 4runner with a 3" Toytec Lift with 285's and wheel spacers. I noticed a knocking sound yesterday on some mild trail riding. Got out and had my buddy shake the car while I had my head in the driver side wheel well and am hearing a knocking sound coming from the upper control arm. Anyone have this problem before? Maybe a bad ball joint? And yes it is the stock control arm. If you guys are thinking maybe an opportunity for a new control arm suggestions are welcomed! Thanks for the help!

 

[MarkinWMich]

A 3" lift will certainly put that stock upper ball joint at risk. Even a 2" lift limits the downward travel on the stock UCAs. When the suspension bottoms out, the ball joints can take a beating.

I "tried" to do a 3" lift when I did the FJC coils and the 5100's. I got it all buttoned up, it looked great, but I noticed that when I jacked up the 4Runner, the tires lifted off of the ground within a few inches of lift from the floor jack. So, although, there was a quite a bit of upward travel, there was very little downward travel. If I hit one of our massive Michigan potholes at highway speeds, the stock upper ball joint would be toast. I dropped it down to 2" pending new, aftermarket UCAs.

 

[VA4Runner09]

Yea kind of a bummer. Only had the suspension upgrade on for maybe 4 months. Don't do too much wheeling or driving for that matter. But she is a rusty bucket and maybe that is playing into it...

Anyone have any recommendations on UCA upgrades, don't really want to have to replace this again, some reason I feel like the install is going to be a PIA. Saw the ICON billet's but not sure if I really need to drop 1200 on some UCA's, would much rather get the Schrockworks front bumper ordered!

 

[montijo505]

Yea kind of a bummer. Only had the suspension upgrade on for maybe 4 months. Don't do too much wheeling or driving for that matter. But she is a rusty bucket and maybe that is playing into it...

Anyone have any recommendations on UCA upgrades, don't really want to have to replace this again, some reason I feel like the install is going to be a PIA. Saw the ICON billet's but not sure if I really need to drop 1200 on some UCA's, would much rather get the Schrockworks front bumper ordered!

Icon billets are ridiculously expensive. I picked up some SPC Light Racing UCAs for a good deal. If you're willing to drop around $600 look into Down South Motorsports UCAs, a few here run them and love them. Kinda wish I woulda waited to get those. I noticed my passenger side knocking yesterday driving fast on a washboard road, decided I need to find time to install my UCA's instead of staring at them in a box in my room lol

EDIT: these are the DSM
http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-5799508-desert-products-toyota-4-runner-2003-current-uni-ball-upper-control-arm-kit.html

 

[ebg18t]

Desert Racing/DSM, Camburg or Total Chaos UCA's if you want good quality at a reasonable price. Icon Billet if you are Baller. SPC/LR if you don't mind cracked welds, failing bushing and other misc issues. Worse case scenario the LR/SPC fails and you crash, but you will know you saved $$ compared to the other options when you bought them.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

icon billets are ridiculously expensive. I picked up some spc light racing ucas for a good deal. If you're willing to drop around $600 look into down south motorsports ucas, a few here run them and love them. Kinda wish i woulda waited to get those. I noticed my passenger side knocking yesterday driving fast on a washboard road, decided i need to find time to install my uca's instead of staring at them in a box in my room lol

edit: These are the dsm
Desert Products Toyota 4-Runner 2003-Current Uni Ball Upper Control Arm Kit

spc are the worst arms on the market
stay away if you dont want to rebuild them every f ing year

desert racing/dsm, camburg or total chaos uca's if you want good quality at a reasonable price. Icon billet if you are baller. Spc/lr if you don't mind cracked welds, failing bushing and other misc issues. Worse case scenario the lr/spc fails and you crash, but you will know you saved $$ compared to the other options when you bought them.

speaks the truth ^^^^^^^^

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Just watched your video
if thats the knock your hearing thats pretty normal

 

[VA4Runner09]

So pretty much looking at getting a new pair of UCA's then? Definitely like the look of the total Chaos set. Any suggestions on install and pointers are welcome. Obviously will do my research on here but any extras would be great. Also any suggestions on where to buy would be great too. Probably look at picking them up from Toytec but if others have found better deals/customer service totally open to it. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Dont just throw parts and the problem
REMOVE THE UPPER BJ AND USE A CROW BAR TO CHECK UCAS BUSHINGS
THEN IS A GREAT TIME TO CHECK YOUR BJ;S TOO