Issue With JBA uca's

Hey guys I wanted to reach out and see if anyone else experienced the same issues as I am having.

I have a 2020 cm with 5,800 miles. I installed king "ext" 2.5 in the front of my truck with 2.5's out back coupled with deaver u748's and toytec shackles. I have about 2k miles on the install of new parts. I have checked torque on every front end component 4 times. I've checked every nut and bolt for every suspension component. The issue is......

Im experiencing a clunking that im 99% sure is the upper ball joint. The jba upper ball joint uses a spring in it that is 2**lbs to help with wear of the ball joint. This in turn lets the ball joint have vertical movement. I have checked that the uca isnt sticking causing more than 2xxlbs of force which would collapse the ball joint. Im pretty certain that the clunking is the balljoint compressing and releasing inside the cup of the ball joint. Ive called jba and went over everything, I checked with them to insure i had the correct washers/correct torque specs and all is good. The gentleman charles denies its their balljoints as there product is top quality. They sent me new balljoints which do the same thing. I know it seems like it cant be the balljoints but That's where I have narrowed it down too. It is felt and heard from right at the upper balljoint. I have checked the bushings in the upper and lower etc etc. the truck is damn near new with only one offroad trip. Please if anyone has any experience with this i would love to hear it. Also what is the most recommended uca for our trucks. I plan to overland this rig frequently this summer but want a solid upper balljoint setup that is quiet and easy to service. Thanks guys. I can not get the video to attatch for some reason I will continue to try.

 

I have them in both the Tundra and my 4Runner and haven’t had any issues or noises, sorry I couldn’t be more help.

 

Have you checked clearance at full droop of the UCA to the coilover? I'm not sure if it's an issue with their arms on a Tundra. The JBA's hit on Tacoma's and 4Runners with extended length struts, and JBA is aware of it. The arm clearance on those vehicles is very similar to stock (aka not awesome) and the arm can hit the coil.

You can put painters tape on the coils where it might hit, then drive it and see if the tape rips/tears anywhere to find the contact point, if there is one.

Just a thought, since you replaced the BJ's already.

Photo attached on a Tacoma

 

total chaos is usually recommended.

 

yea sir i did. There is no issue there. I can replicate the clunk/knock by bouncing on the rock slider in the driveway.

 

Doubt it’s the ball joints. First thing I would check is nitrogen in the shocks, then the spherical bearings for play, and making sure none of the spacers for them are missing. Had that happen once.

 

I have checked the sperical bearings and there is no play there. I also put my hand on the coil over and the clunking is not felt in the shock at all. It would be worth a shot to check it out tho I recon. They do have less than 2k miles on them tho.

 

@Mrf1987 Just curious if you ever got the issue resolved? I have a set of JBA on the shelf waiting to be installed.

 

Sub’d. Hopefully the OP will chime in if there’s been a resolution.

 

I do as well and am curious.