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2017 upper ball joints/UCA’S

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Upstate tundra, May 2, 2018.

  1. May 2, 2018 at 4:07 PM
    #1
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    I’m new to forum and have a question. I have a rough country 3/1 leveling kit installed on my 2017 crewmax. Both my upper ball joints went bad at 27k. So that meant new UCA’s. I was told by dealer the leveling kit was the reason for failure and not covering them. I have a hard time believing this as I had a Zone 3/1 leveling kit in my 2011 and never had any issues and traded it at 80k. I am now considering removing 1 or both the 1/4” shims to lower the front some to maybe help with not replacing UCA every 27k. Thoughts??
     
  2. May 2, 2018 at 4:50 PM
    #2
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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  3. May 2, 2018 at 4:56 PM
    #3
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Welcome from CO! Pretty unusual for both oem ball joints to fail prematurely like that with a 3/1 lift.
     
    TXRailRoadBandit73 likes this.
  4. May 2, 2018 at 5:01 PM
    #4
    Ac91

    Ac91 New Member

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    Same thing my dealer told me if I did a lift it would void my suspension warranty and they would not cover any issues related to suspension. If they are denying your claim they will probably not change their mind might as well just buy UCA’s.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  5. May 2, 2018 at 5:07 PM
    #5
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    Already put new UCAs on. Two dealerships said they have never had any issues like that before and there are plenty on tundras around me with same kits. Just wondering if I remove one or both shims to lower the front some if that would help with the ball joints? Or just leave it as is and hope the new ball joints hold up
     
  6. May 2, 2018 at 5:07 PM
    #6
    Ac91

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    Did you replace it with a oem UCA or aftermarket?
     
  7. May 2, 2018 at 5:08 PM
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    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    Aftermarket
     
  8. May 2, 2018 at 5:10 PM
    #8
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    This truck is pretty much a daily driver and minimal off road which only consists of decent farm roads and through occasional cut corn fields. Nothing serious.
     
  9. May 2, 2018 at 5:12 PM
    #9
    Ac91

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    That is definitely strange I have never seen that happen with aftermarket UCA’s especially with just a 3/1 lift
     
  10. May 2, 2018 at 5:13 PM
    #10
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 New Member

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    Which aftermarket UCAs did you use?!
     
  11. May 2, 2018 at 5:14 PM
    #11
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    My thoughts exactly. But had a friend at a different garage look at them and confirmed both were bad. Can’t figure this one out especially since nobody else having the problem
     
  12. May 2, 2018 at 5:15 PM
    #12
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    I can’t remember the brand, maybe acdelco. Just a oem replacement and not the cheapest ones they had
     
  13. May 2, 2018 at 5:16 PM
    #13
    Ac91

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    That’s your problem you need UCA’s that are adjustable not just oem replacements
     
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  14. May 2, 2018 at 5:16 PM
    #14
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    My aftermarket ones haven’t failed yet it was oem ones.
     
  15. May 2, 2018 at 5:18 PM
    #15
    Ac91

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    You replaced them with a oem replacement I might be wrong but acdelco is not adjustable like total chaos, jba, Icon or spc
     
  16. May 2, 2018 at 5:19 PM
    #16
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    I’m thinking of pulling out the two 1/4” shims to drop the front 1/2” or so to maybe help
     
  17. May 2, 2018 at 5:19 PM
    #17
    Stroke250

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    Buy some SPC adjustable UCAs from @Toytec Lifts and be done.
     
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  18. May 2, 2018 at 5:20 PM
    #18
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    Definitely not adjustable
     
  19. May 2, 2018 at 5:21 PM
    #19
    Ac91

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    If that is the case those will probably just fail like your oem ones did from what I have read adjustable UCA’s are recommended for 3” lift but considering your oem joints failed you might look into adjustable ones
     
  20. May 2, 2018 at 5:22 PM
    #20
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    Just can’t understand them failing so quick when there are lots around with same kit and no issues. 4 in my parking lot at work 3 of which have same kits and way more miles.
     
  21. May 2, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    #21
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    You think making it a 2.5” lift in front would make much difference?
     
  22. May 2, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    #22
    Ac91

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    From what I have read and been told on this forum it’s hit or miss with oem UCA’s and a lift it will be fine or it will fail like yours did.
     
  23. May 2, 2018 at 5:26 PM
    #23
    Upstate tundra

    Upstate tundra [OP] New Member

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    Shoulda just bought a TRD pro and not have to worry about this stuff!
     

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