Best Aftermarket UCAs?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

SEAWOLF

SEAWOLF

GOLD Star
10 Year
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Threads
212
Messages
1,321
Location
Portland, ME
My 200 is on BP51 with SPC UCAs…I’ve had to replace the ball joints once already and yes, you guessed it…another failure.

Looking to move away from SPC ASAP and wondering if there is a preferred option? Or perhaps another manufacturer to avoid? I really need to get my rig dialed in before the snow flies!

I’m leaning towards a set of Dobinson’s because they use a Japanese 555 joint, any reason I shouldn’t just pull the trigger today?

Related; I noticed a great video on YouTube that @OTRAMM just posted a few days ago. I was going to take it to a shop but this has me confident I can handle it myself. Thanks for making it! OTRAMM Video UCA Swap

Photo for attention:
IMG_5038.webp
 
Slee just replaced my upper ball joints as well. First SPC set went 70k before clunking but were probably shot before that. This set went half that though I think play was small because I didn’t heard any clunking yet.

The next time mine go I will likely try Dobinson’s UCAs with 555s. OME UCAs might be a good alternative to SPC though I believe they still require greasing.

I would avoid Ironman (and I think Nitro too) as they had a rash of failing joints that were recalled. I would also avoid anything with a heim joint
 
I've been happy with me OME UCAs so far. Just as silent as oem. I've had them for 30k miles with no issues so far. I do grease them at every other tire rotation though. ~10k miles. Doesn't add much time at all since I've already got the wheels off.
 
My OME UCAs specifically didn't need grease, and were silent the whole time I had them on the truck.

Not sure if the newer ones require it due to some change though.

Edit: I was thinking of the bushings. Been long enough I forgot the joints were greaseable.
 
Last edited:
I've read the OME and Dobinson's BJs are both estimated to go 80-100k, vs about 35k for SPC. I am kind of curious what real world durability folks have seen. I'm on my 3rd set of BJs for my SPCs in 100k miles, which is roughly Mini Cooper levels of durability

I will say at 100k I'm still on the original SPC bushings and they're pretty quiet and seem to be holding up strong
 
I have OME UCAs and they are greasable, but don't need grease any more than a typical ball joint. No leaks from the boots.

I usually give them a couple pumps of grease once a year when I remember.

I did not install their fancy caps which require removing the grease zirk. I just keep the zirk installed and I put a small plastic cap over the zirk to keep grime off of it. Works great.

No complaints.
 
Anyone ever try superpro? AU company, Poly bushing is a little questionable but good price, fixed camber. I’m surprised I’ve yet to see anyone run em or any reviews.
 
I just switched to the Dobinsons. My criteria was more caster, more wheel clearance, rubber bushings and stock style ball joints. I had just previously installed Built Right (local product, very similar to TC but TIG welded) and while they were a fine product I wanted OEM style. The Dobbys popped up on marketplace from a fellow who bought them for mock up but ended up going tundra mid travel.

First thing I noticed was how beefy and heavy they are. Also there are no grease fittings anywhere. They went in very straight forward.

As far as driving impressions they feel great. It feels like the truck is back on OEM uppers. I love the road feel, the steering feels great and there is zero binding.

I wouldn’t hesitate to go with either these or the OME’s. I know Dobinsons are on sale all month. Check @exitoffroad for some deals.

IMG_3560.webp


IMG_3559.webp
 
I think I read the Dobinson’s are 3 deg fixed caster. I’m wondering if anyone running 35s with them had to do a BMC? I have my SPC’s set to 1 degree and have plenty of clearance but I know the more caster correction you apply at the UCA the further back the wheel tilts in the wheel wells
 
OME's here - basically like stock after 30K ish miles, I try to give them a shot of grease when I remember it, (or once so far).. no issues no noise, I have caster pushed as much as they allow and its enough for the then 35x12.5-17's I was running (now on 34's for more range really).

I can get them if you need, normally at some discount.
 
I ended up with Dobinson’s and they feel great, but the preset caster that @linuxgod posted about is a slight issue, the loss of approx. 2 degrees is noticeable, and now I have some rubbing that wasn’t present before…even with worn tires. When I get new rubber it’s probably going to necessitate a BMC. But the good news is the driver’s front doesn’t slightly contact the KDSS at full right turn lock.
 
SEAWOLF said:
I ended up with Dobinson’s and they feel great, but the preset caster that @linuxgod posted about is a slight issue, the loss of approx. 2 degrees is noticeable, and now I have some rubbing that wasn’t present before…even with worn tires. When I get new rubber it’s probably going to necessitate a BMC. But the good news is the driver’s front doesn’t slightly contact the KDSS at full right turn lock.
Click to expand...
Yup, that's the main problem with aftermarket UCAs and something to consider particularly if running bigger rubber and especially if sitting on "higher" negative offset wheels.
 
Yeah 3 degrees is unnecessary. I’m at +1 and have no issue getting to 3.4+ deg caster
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom