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Upgrading UCAs today, yay

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Glock 40, Nov 16, 2020.

  1. Nov 27, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #31
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Got everything apart today and ready to install new lowers and a set of balls with zerks. The eccentrics arrived via UPS today so I should be able to get everything back together tomorrow... alignment scheduled for Monday.
    Put a couple lug nutz on each wheel and supporting each with screw jacks.
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-49-58 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    A little of this...
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-49-11 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    A little of that....
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-49-31 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    And a lot of SAWZALL!
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-52-05 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    Marked and labeled the old eccentrics before removal so I can orient the new ones well enough to drive her to alignment.
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-48-45 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    I smell VICTORY!
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_07-14-46 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    Note: If you end up cutting off the lowers like I had to do... definitely get a Diablo carbide tipped blade as pictured. The Milwaukee "Torch" blades were not adequate. One was toast before the first cut was made. The Diablo made all eight cuts without wearing out. Made the job a lot easier. Expect to pay $15-$20 for one Diablo but very well worth it.
    [​IMG]2020-11-27_05-51-46 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2020
  2. Nov 27, 2020 at 7:24 PM
    #32
    Gmillz85

    Gmillz85 Ski Bum Extraordinaire

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    She's a Pro
    Damnit wish I had that setup to work on my truck. Baller.
     
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  3. Nov 28, 2020 at 5:48 AM
    #33
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’m jealous of his hand protector unit box on that back shelf.
     
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  4. Nov 28, 2020 at 6:26 AM
    #34
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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  5. Nov 28, 2020 at 12:50 PM
    #35
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    Tagging this thread for info later.
     
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  6. Nov 29, 2020 at 4:06 PM
    #36
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    I got everything back together. Alignment scheduled for tomorrow morning.
    [​IMG]2020-11-29_04-50-53 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    The new eccentric bolts (Moog) have grease zerks.
    [​IMG]2020-11-29_04-44-32 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    LBJs have em too. Now I can grease my balls, yay!
    [​IMG]2020-11-29_04-44-50 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    Note to anyone upgrading to Suspension Maxx SB links: If you're running OE style LCAs, you'll need to cut off the bottom of the sway bar link mount on the lower control arm (as I marked in red). This is so you can access the 9/16" bolt at the bottom of the Suspension Maxx link (pictured). It's impossible to get a wrench on that bolt without modifying the sway bar mount like I did. I used a 4" angle grinder with a metal cutoff wheel, simple. Cut it like butta.
    [​IMG]2020-11-29_04-49-01 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    Some RC shocks for the rear.
    [​IMG]2020-11-29_04-51-49 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

    Hopefully I'm at the end of this rabbit hole for now. We'll see how she rides after alignment tomorrow.
     
  7. Dec 1, 2020 at 4:49 AM
    #37
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Probably my last installment to this thread. Alignment is close to what I requested... +2.5 caster and .08 total toe. Drives well!! No clunks, bumps, or rubs. I like.
    [​IMG]2020-12-01_05-45-15 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr
     
  8. Dec 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM
    #38
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’ll post up what the 4wheel place did on mine for comparison before and after. I left it to them to get what they thought was the best setting. Truck drives very well. Tires rub the inside frame at slow tight parking spot turnings.

    upload_2020-12-1_7-59-5.jpg
     
    Glock 40[OP] likes this.
  9. Dec 1, 2020 at 5:05 AM
    #39
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Pretty similar... I requested a little more caster based on another response in this thread. Going to keep a close eye on tire wear.
     
  10. Dec 1, 2020 at 5:09 AM
    #40
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I have no idea what any of these numbers mean in terms of real world experience adjustments. The truck was lazy and worn out before the rebuild, but now drives/handles better than new imo.
     
  11. Dec 1, 2020 at 5:13 AM
    #41
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    I honestly don't know how it's supposed to drive or what it would be like new. It had bad wheel bearings and a host of steering issues when I got it. Feels pretty dang good now.
     
  12. Dec 1, 2020 at 5:26 AM
    #42
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    [​IMG]

    Nice work, Glock! Great tip on the Diablo blade, too.
     
  13. Dec 1, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #43
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    I think that's a good call. 2.0-3.0 caster is the sweet spot for our trucks. Caster affects high speed stability.

    Also, camber and toe effect tire wear, caster won't.
     
    Glock 40[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  14. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #44
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Thank you! That's reassuring. I just dropped $2K on a set of 5 (whls + tires) so I'll be keeping an eye on em anyway.
     
  15. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #45
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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  16. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:51 AM
    #46
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Set and................................................. spike!
    Well done sir. :rofl:
     
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  17. Dec 1, 2020 at 6:03 PM
    #47
    Lil Steve

    Lil Steve Living the dream

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    I notice the rear measurements are grayed out, I'm guessing there's nothing adjustable back there? Was getting the front into specs responsible for the slight before/after rear measurements in PHM's example?
     
  18. Dec 1, 2020 at 6:15 PM
    #48
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    I don't think the rears are adjustable.
     
  19. Dec 2, 2020 at 4:27 AM
    #49
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. The rear isn’t adjustable. I think the difference in my rear spec came about due to the new front adjustments realigning the rear Mojo after the drive. My rear leafs were splayed and not boxed in with a my jack leg keepers at that time a few years ago.
     
    Lil Steve[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Dec 2, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #50
    Surf_spear_Mex

    Surf_spear_Mex New Member

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    Make sure you loctite those lbj bolts (new of course) and torque everything with wheels on the ground. I redid my whole front end and still chasing a slight knock thunk when turned and going over speed bumps etc. Never ends lol
     
  21. Dec 2, 2020 at 8:20 AM
    #51
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Roger that on the Loctite. The LBJs actually came with a couple tubes of it. I'll be checking torques again today, and again after about 300 more miles. Lucky me... no unusual knocks, rubs, or anything so far. I have a gauntlet of speed bumps and depressions almost daily that I was sure I'd hear something from, but nothing. Have you checked your strut boxes for rubbing from the UCAs? ....or unhappy SB links maybe?
     
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  22. Dec 2, 2020 at 8:35 AM
    #52
    HBTundra

    HBTundra New Member

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    Nice work . . . thanks for the write-up.
     
  23. Dec 2, 2020 at 11:39 AM
    #53
    Surf_spear_Mex

    Surf_spear_Mex New Member

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    I'm in mexico so let's talk about speed bumps and potholes lol

    I have freedom uca's so no rubbing at all thankfully and I have suspension maxx sb links that I'm really happy with. I just re torques them yesterday but still have a little lateral knock somewhere. Going to lift it up today actually and re lubes my brake pads and pins as I squeaking a bit.

    I got done with the front end rebuild a day before we embarked on a 3200 mile trip from manitoba canada to puerto vallarta mexico. Over a month of hard driving a wheeling it's time to do a little check up. I know my driver side cv is getting close to death as it has a fair bit of play laterally. I'm sure once the wheels are off I'll have a better chance of finding the culprit.
     
  24. Dec 2, 2020 at 2:38 PM
    #54
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    What is the Torque Spec on the LBJ’s?
     
  25. Dec 2, 2020 at 2:47 PM
    #55
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    68 ft lbs
     
  26. Dec 2, 2020 at 2:48 PM
    #56
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    ... or are you asking about the ball stud? I was referring to the 4 bolts that hold it to the knuckle.
     
  27. Dec 2, 2020 at 2:51 PM
    #57
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’m just looking to do whatever is accessible for re-torque. Whats the ball stud?
     
  28. Dec 2, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    #58
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Ball stud is the bolt that comes through the boot of the ball joint and connects to the LCA. It has a large castle nut on it with a cotter pin. Shouldn't have to re-torque that (105 ft lbs I think?). The four that hold the lower ball joint assembly to the steering knuckle are worth checking once in a while.
     
  29. Dec 2, 2020 at 3:00 PM
    #59
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 [OP] I'm here to break shit

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    Those bolts (three of the four) and ball stud are pictured above in the "grease my balls, yay" pic.
     
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  30. Dec 2, 2020 at 4:08 PM
    #60
    Surf_spear_Mex

    Surf_spear_Mex New Member

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    May just be me but a slim/short 9/16 fits great with the bottom of the link mount intact. I'm not one to cut supporting metal off a vehicle unless it's the stock bumpers to put beefs on.
     

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