Upper Control Arm/UBJ Problem

Gordo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:29 pm

So I went to get a front-end alignment done yesterday and the mechanic said that they could not do it because there was too much play in the upper ball joint. He showed me what he was talking about, and sure enough, it is a problem. They wanted $250 to install a new one.

My question to the group is, how hard is it to replace this myself, and, where is a good place to get a replacement? Is this something that can/should be picked up from a junkyard? Should I spring for some after-market Moogs?

If anyone has any instructions of how to replace the part, I would appreciate it. With the help of some other guys, I put on a Rusty's lift, so I'm fairly familiar with the front end.

Thanks!

GregScuba · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:02 pm

The factory arms have non-replaceable ball joints. The solution is new factory UCA's, or since you have a 2.5" lift, you might want to look into Jeepin' by Al's aftermarket UCA's which come with Moog replaceable and greasable joints in them. They also correct for the camber and caster problems caused by 2.5" lifts.

Gordo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:14 pm

GregScuba wrote:

The factory arms have non-replaceable ball joints. The solution is new factory UCA's, or since you have a 2.5" lift, you might want to look into Jeepin' by Al's aftermarket UCA's which come with Moog replaceable and greasable joints in them. They also correct for the camber and caster problems caused by 2.5" lifts.

I knew that the UBJ and UCA were one unit. I just wondered how expensive one is and how to put it in. I also know about Al's replacement, but I have also heard that some of them have broken (due to weak welds?). If this problem has been identified and corrected, I think that is a good option - especially with the lift.

I just don't know about the ease of installation and so forth. I also don't know if this is a part (the UCA) that could or should be picked up from a wrecked KJ at the junkyard.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

I had Al's Gen 4 arms installed with my Frankenlift. Seem really beefy and high quality. I think it was the Gen 1 and 2's that a few people managed to break.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:27 pm

I don't know the cost of the stock uppers off the top of my head, but the price for stock arms compared to Al's should make it an easy decision. As for the Al's arms breaking, those were a few of the gen I models, and those that broke were put through serious wheeling in the cases I personally know of. I have to say, these Gen IV arms are incredible. Absolutely beefy and beautiful. Have some sitting right here. If you can break these, your insurance company will probably be replacing the rest of your jeep at the same time because you would have to seriously trash the jeep to break these Gen IV arms.

As for difficulty in replacing the arms, pretty simple actually. Remove the wheels, remove the air box and battery/battery tray, unbolt UBJ at knuckle, unbolt two bolts per arm inside engine bay, pull arms out, put new arms in, reverse procedure. Probably take one hour total if you don't have ABS in the way.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:32 pm

So whats the difference between the GEN 3's which I have on my KJ and the GEN 4's?

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:36 pm

0311_DoC wrote:

So whats the difference between the GEN 3's which I have on my KJ and the GEN 4's?

The Gen IV's have a bigger machined bung for the UBJ, which allows for a better grease boot to be pressed into the bung so it doesn't move around or leak grease.

Gordo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:22 pm

My main concern right now unfortunately is budget. I have a little one on the way and I had to drop some funds on new tires (safety inspections). All the bills are piling up so I'm looking for a solution that can fit the budget. I don't wheel a ton - in fact, I never once made it out this year

so durability is not a huge factor.

If Al's is really the way to go, then I guess that's what I have to do, but I think I can get by with a stock UCA for the time being.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:47 pm

Plenty of people are swapping out stock uppers for Al's, so I would bet there are quite a few in pretty good shape still that you could purchase for cheap.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:05 am

I have a brand new OEM UCA that I can sell you,never been mounted or used.It would have to wait till Friday to ship since I am currently in SD and not in CO,$75+ shipping and it's yours.

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:09 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

I have a brand new OEM UCA that I can sell you,never been mounted or used.It would have to wait till Friday to ship since I am currently in SD and not in CO,$75+ shipping and it's yours.

I may take you up on that. Let me do some research tomorrow and I'll get back with you via PM one way or the other. Thanks!

Troysterr · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 1:01 am

Hey, Jordan, I'm replacing both of mine, and one of them is still good. It's 6 1/2 years old, but it may get you by.

I'm planning on swapping them out on Wednesday night at my auto mechanics class. I could leave the good one by my garage door for you to pick up whenever you want. I don't think anyone will steal it.

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 1:10 am

Troysterr wrote:

Hey, Jordan, I'm replacing both of mine, and one of them is still good. It's 6 1/2 years old, but it may get you by.

I'm planning on swapping them out on Wednesday night at my auto mechanics class. I could leave the good one by my garage door for you to pick up whenever you want. I don't think anyone will steal it.

Troy you rule! Thanks!

I'd also be interested to hear how easy it was to swap them out. By the sound of it, it shouldn't take nearly as much effort as we put into the lift. What do you think? Are you putting in some of Al's A-arms? Why the switch? Did you have one that went bad?

Troysterr · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:19 am

Well, I found out a few weeks ago that the right UBJ is bad (not terrible, but bad enough that I want it replaced). My alignment is way off for some reason too (killing my tires), so I decided that as long as I'm replacing an arm, I may as well pay a little more to replace them both with Jeepin' Al's, to make it easier to get a good alignment.

Installing these arms is much, much easier than a lift. Much. You only have to take out a couple of bolts and knock the knuckle loose. I haven't done it before, but I'm hoping I can have them both swapped out in an hour or so. I'll let you know.

I have to replace the rack and pinion mount bushings, too, but I'll let the dealership do it when they do my alignment.

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:25 am

Yeah, I just invested in some new tires and don't want to screw them up like my MTR's (you should see the wear). I went to get an alignment and they noticed the problem with my UBJ (it's my right one as well).

Thanks again for your offer - I'll probably come pick it up on Thursday so I can get the work done ASAP. Good luck with your installation.

Johnboy · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:21 am

The cheapest OE UCAs I have found are at RRO website.

I put on Als IV this past weekend. Those "4 bolts" were a big PITA to get off/on. Just tight quarters with little swing room etc. But the install is easy.

I like Als UCAs, they work very well. I had to trim a little wheel liner slightly above each mounting point so they could travel all the way upwords.

My 255's on OE rims rub all over them (UBJ bung-full drop and any turn, and the rear 1/2 of the Arm anytime near full lock) but they are fine on the road Nothing I cant live with, and 10mm spacers should eliminate everything (but that is what I thought about the new UCAs....) I assume it is my tire wheel combo not the UCAs. 255s are just too fat on OE wheels. I have not had to trim anythiong else though. No pinch weld, liner, air dam, bumper, nothing.

Upper Control Arm/UBJ Problem

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