Upper control arm life span.

[LONGISLANDRAPTOR]

Hey everyone.

I am interested in upgrading my upper control arms to a uni ball style.

How long will this style of joint last? I have read that the aftermarket tie rods wear out about 10k miles. I don't want to be rebuilding my UCAs often.

Any long term reviews would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys. - Mike


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[Deleted member 12951]

I think its going to make a difference if the uniball is covered or not. Icon and Cst make those but icon does not work on stock wheels. Would love to see an universal solution for a cap

 

[KaiserM715]

The ReadyLift ucas have a cap and do work with the stock wheels.

 

[Buster096]

It all depends on how you take care of them. Keeping them clean and well lubricated will make them last longer.

 

[tbone]

you have to take care of them

 

[Deleted member 12951]

What and how do you care for them? I honestly do not know

 

[tbone]

after i go offroad i use an air gun to blow dust off then some teflon lube spay. sometimes they squeek at you if their too dry and have a decent amount of dust in them but it also isnt hard to get them replaced.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Do you have to occasionally take the uniball out and clean? What about during winter when snow and water can collect?

I would really be interested in an universal cap idea to help keep stuff out. Wonder if you could purchase something? I have the Rogue ones.

 

[Yukon Joe]

It all depends on how you take care of them. Keeping them clean and well lubricated will make them last longer.

you have to take care of them

This only goes so far. The uniball bearing it's an F2 fit with a Teflon liner. The bearing is exposed to the elements in the winter. Water can seep in and around the bearing then freeze over night. Next morning when you drive your truck the ice will start to break down the liner. Once the liner is shot, the bearing doesn't have that nice right feel anymore.

My UCA bearings lasted about 18 months and 40,000 miles. I contacted RPG and purchased replacement bearings, pins, and miss alignment spacers. I was able to replace the bearing while the UCA was on the truck, but it was a pain. I had to rent a bearing press. Heat the old one and pound to get it out. Once out, I noticed surface rusty on the inside of the UCA. I cleaned that up. I froze the new bearing, and heated the UCA receiving cup. Then slid the new bearing into the cup.

I thought I posted this before with pics? I just remember being happy to be done with that job.

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[Buster096]

Honestly I think 40k miles from uni's in a place where it actually has weather is really good. There's a reason you see the majority of "prerunners" in the southwest states, it is extremely dry out here so all the heims and uni's will last a lot longer because they are only exposed to fine dust mostly. But decreased longetivity is the sacrifice for a stronger joint with more articulation, there is always a sacrifice when building an offroad rig.

---------- Post added at 10:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 AM ----------

Oh and on the topic of cleaning, don't forget to keep the heims clean and lubricated on your shocks as well. The cap seems like a good idea in theory but the whole bottom is still exposed to the elements.