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Front Suspension SOS

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by EAK, Mar 9, 2020.

  1. Mar 9, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #1
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    BAMuffler 8” SS Bilstein 6112/5160 Icon UCAs
    I attempted to replace my front suspension with 6112s this weekend. Got stuck and decided to put everything back on and have a pro install.

    I’m stuck getting the spindle to connect to the UCA. It’s like the spindle is locked, no articulation up or down.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    B38084F7-059D-4283-A3C0-D4C5A95859CE.jpg
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  2. Mar 9, 2020 at 8:55 AM
    #2
    PLC721

    PLC721 New Member

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    You need to loosen the UCA and rotate it down to the spindle
     
    Bob_Wiley, chugs, Tundyfundy and 2 others like this.
  3. Mar 9, 2020 at 8:59 AM
    #3
    SC_TRD

    SC_TRD Big BASTRD 4x4 Enthusiast

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    I forget exactly how it all pieces together, but a quick thought.
    Sway bar disconnected?
     
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  4. Mar 9, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #4
    SC_TRD

    SC_TRD Big BASTRD 4x4 Enthusiast

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    UCA does seem angled really high, I also think this is a good idea
     
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  5. Mar 9, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #5
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    @PLC721 thanks for such a quick response. It seems if I loosen the UCA it still won’t reach the spindle.

    In all the videos I’ve seen replacing UCAs the spindle just moves right in to place. Mine is locked.
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  6. Mar 9, 2020 at 9:02 AM
    #6
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    I reconnected the sway bar. I’ll remove and try again.
     
    SC_TRD[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 9, 2020 at 9:04 AM
    #7
    SC_TRD

    SC_TRD Big BASTRD 4x4 Enthusiast

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    if the other tire is in the ground and sway bar is connected, will definitely make things hard. I have also had to use a small bottle jack to lift up the LCA to get things into the right position, then really pull down on the UCA.. of course doing this solo is much more difficult, but the Jack should help if you don’t have a buddy to help
     
    14srAKH, Inquiringone and 831Tun like this.
  8. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #8
    SC_TRD

    SC_TRD Big BASTRD 4x4 Enthusiast

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    Any luck?
     
  9. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:32 PM
    #9
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    Unfortunately not. Obviously my mechanical skills are limited. Someone that knew what they were doing could probably fix it in 20 minutes.

    I like to wrench but don’t have a lot of experience. YouTube gave me confidence to successfully replace my my rear shocks and shackles, which I was quite proud of. I ended up calling a mobile mechanic to come to my house to get the wheel on tomorrow and will drive to a professional shop.

    I really appreciate you and the other folks that stepped up to try to help in such a short period of time.
     
  10. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #10
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Did you accidentally pull the axle out?
     
    Flyinryank and focal like this.
  11. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:37 PM
    #11
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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    Loosen upper control arm bolt

    Stick a bottle jack or floor jack under lower control arm/ball joint area and Jack it up


    One part moves down

    one moves up

    they meet in the middle

    Edited to add....if you’ve accidentally dislocated the axle nothing will help
     
  12. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #12
    vhstejskal

    vhstejskal New Member

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    The axle boot looks to be extended. That could prevent it from aligning.
     
  13. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:55 PM
    #13
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    Maybe? :notsure: I certainly wasn’t gentle getting the shock out of the bottom. Stood on the LCA to get clearance (like some of the YouTube videos showed).

    Hopefully this is not a difficult fix for a professional? Leave it to me to try and save a few bucks and create an expensive mess.
     
  14. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #14
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Its been a long time since i messed with cv axles, but maybe try moving it for and aft by the inner joint, maybe its “out of socket” for lack of better words?
     
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  15. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #15
    vhstejskal

    vhstejskal New Member

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    You’ll be fine to put the axle back and use a jack to lift the spindle up to the uca. Just take your time and don’t let the frustration get the better of you.
     
  16. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:08 PM
    #16
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    I tried to use the jack under the LCA to bring the spindle to the UCA. It moved some, then seemed to start to lift the truck off the floor jacks, if that helps support the axle boot hypothesis. I don’t even know how to start to attempt that fix.

    I tried and found my limit. Sucks though sense i feel like I was pretty close to getting this done.
     
  17. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:13 PM
    #17
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    The only reason I bailed and tried to get the old shock back in was because I couldn’t get the new 6112 seated at the bottom. Other than that o had this thing whipped. Minus the unforeseen issue with getting the UCA and spindle reconnected.

    Wrenching is fun, and I have a lot of respect for those that have the skills around a tool box. But this has been such a nightmare, I can’t see myself taking on any DIY for a while.

    Some one needs to come up with a “mechanic on demand” program. Similar to Dr. on demand.
     
  18. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:18 PM
    #18
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

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    Rookie mistake was disconnecting the UCA from the spindle. This helps prevent the assembly from dropping down so far and out that the axle slips out. Disconnect the spindle at the bottom and loosen the LCA bolts and the longer assembly would go in a lot easier.
     
    Tundyfundy, jeremyd and Hbjeff like this.
  19. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #19
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    This challenge is good for you. When you beat it you will be better for it.

    Personally i would leave the uca connected to install the new setup
     
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  20. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #20
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    This is true true true.


    Maybe take the oe shock out and get it fixed without the tension
     
  21. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #21
    anthonygan

    anthonygan New Member

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    Couldn’t help but notice that jack;)
     
  22. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:27 PM
    #22
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    This I learned today.
     
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  23. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:51 PM
    #23
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Not sure if this makes sense, but I'm thinking maybe disconnect the spindle on the bottom, Then carefully make sure the cv is where it needs to be , then connect spindle to the UCA. Then attempt to use the jack and button everything back up. Dang ! if you were close I'd drive over and help you !
     
    Hbjeff likes this.
  24. Mar 9, 2020 at 7:14 PM
    #24
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    This makes sense but at this point I needed my truck back to operation like yesterday (I took off work today because I thought I figured it out while laying in bed last night). Just going to fork over the money to have it done right and chalk it up as a life lesson.

    There’s a lot of knowledgeable folks on here that are generous with their time. Heck, a year ago prior to joining this forum it would never have crossed my mind to even attempt this project on my own. Maybe it’s the forum’s fault I’m in this predicament? /s
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
    TXTundra2722 likes this.
  25. Mar 9, 2020 at 7:18 PM
    #25
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    A lot of reading on the forum and watching YouTube videos, I have learned that I like working on my truck. So far I have accomplished:

    - installing front grille and surround
    - replacing headlights w/ TRD Pros
    - installing 5160s in rear
    - installing CB shackles (didn’t know what a shackle did but had to get on the group buy)
    - installed Kenwood 9906xr (@00Tyler10 did most of the work)

    This one got the better of me but I’ve still learned a lot throughout this ordeal.
     
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  26. Mar 9, 2020 at 7:19 PM
    #26
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Dont give up. Im sure someone lives in KY that will help you.

    Just get her back together and restart
     
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  27. Mar 9, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #27
    JLS in WA

    JLS in WA New Member

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    You’re taking the shock assembly out when you’re trying to reattach the UCA, right? If you’re still working on it I’d do that.
     
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  28. Mar 9, 2020 at 9:38 PM
    #28
    Dirt Dawg

    Dirt Dawg "It'd be a lot cooler if you did"

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    Sounds like you over extended your CV and now it’s not wanting to go back together. Feel around the inner joint and see if you can feel the “cage” in the boot. If you slipped the cage out of the inner tulip, it might take some work to get everything back together.
     
  29. Mar 10, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #29
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Update?:popcorn:
     
  30. Mar 10, 2020 at 7:36 PM
    #30
    EAK

    EAK [OP] New Member

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    Her feet still hurt.

    I drove around to a couple of auto shops to see if anyone wanted a small job after work. Rightfully so, not too many people want to do work at someone’s house (liability reasons). However, I might have a guy stopping by tomorrow to get her shoes back on.

    I think the extended cv hypothesis has legs. I bounced the LCA with my legs to try to get the 6112 to seat. It sounds like may have caused a secondary issue.

    Chalking this one up as a life lesson. I found my limitation (at least going solo).

    F4084B9A-5B76-4D6B-87EE-99E5A8A3D205.jpg
     

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