Ironman FCP question (1 Viewer)

[r2m]

It's gonna feel weird letting a shop work on my rig instead of DIY'ing it!

You'll get spoiled...

 

[WTITW]

It's gonna feel weird letting a shop work on my rig instead of DIY'ing it!

You'll get spoiled...

Or they'll spoil his rig ; ) After fixing half the issues created by 200K of shops cutting corners on my wife's 3rd gen, I realized the only way to do it right.... is to half ass it myself. At least then you'll know where the cut corners are and can put them on the list. Pressing balljoint sucks though and the only way to do it right is with a press so I'd probably begrudgingly let a shop do it too.

 

[r2m]

Or they'll spoil his rig ; ) After fixing half the issues created by 200K of shops cutting corners on my wife's 3rd gen, I realized the only way to do it right.... is to half ass it myself. At least then you'll know where the cut corners are and can put them on the list. Pressing balljoint sucks though and the only way to do it right is with a press so I'd probably begrudgingly let a shop do it too.

OR... Harbor Freight!

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

AND you can use if for crushing all your aluminum cans for recycle!!!

 

[Rednexus]

You'll get spoiled...

I sit in front of a computer all day, often on Teams calls or deep in various MS Office products. I have a rewarding career but it involves almost zero use of my hands. Wrenching is a de-stresser and a hobby (among my other hobbies) . I've been wrenching nearly 25 years now and thoroughly enjoy it. It's also saved me thousands of dollars by keeping older rigs on the road for years.

Or they'll spoil his rig ; ) After fixing half the issues created by 200K of shops cutting corners on my wife's 3rd gen, I realized the only way to do it right.... is to half ass it myself. At least then you'll know where the cut corners are and can put them on the list. Pressing balljoint sucks though and the only way to do it right is with a press so I'd probably begrudgingly let a shop do it too.

There is exactly one shop I'd trust to do this job. If Ironman was providing UBJ's instead of a complete UCA, I'd just buy a balljoint press and send them a reciept for that instead.

FYI I used the 12-ton HF press (borrowed) to press out wheel bearings on my buddy's Tundra. It was pretty good but I'll probably buy the 20-ton version when I get one - the 12T was kind of small.

 

[r2m]

Yeah, I agree that wrenching can be relaxing and also the satisfaction when you're done.
That is, unless you happen to screw up something expensive....
Even though I used to do all my own maintenance when I was young, we have a great mechanic and just prefer have him do all the maintenance.
I still like doing the custom stuff, like adding the HAM radio, inverter, MOLLE panels, custom fairing for the roof rack, etc.
Where I live it's just not practical for me to do fab projects. I miss using my tube bender (JD2), welders and my other toys but I also don't have the 220 AC to my garage like I did in my old house.

Maybe when I get an EV, I'll be forced to run 220 to the garage on account of having to install a car charger!

 

[Banandalorian]

Got my recall notice too. I'm very surprised they are swapping out the whole UCA instead of just the UBJ, since a set of 555 UBJs is maybe $100. Hopefully we can keep the old UCAs, if so I'll install a set of 555 UBJ's in them and eBay them.

Ironman will now have replaced the entire front side of the lift I bought in 2021. They did a warranty replacement on my front coilovers earlier this year after the springs started to bow and contact the shock body (resulting in noise and a low front ride height). The new coilovers had a shorter spring and the bottom perch set higher up on the shock body. I also have the spare front Ironman FCP shocks sitting around as well - since they didn't ask for them to be shipped back - those might also be eBayed.

One of 2 things is happening. They have some data that the majority of shops would remove the UCAs to replace bushings, so their production cost for new UCAs is less than their warranty labor for pressing ball joints, or there is something like the bad ball joints cause some issue with the arm and shops are saying the whole unit should be replaced once they get into it.
I am assuming it's the first one unless there is some change to the replacement arms beyond just a different ball joint supplier.

 

[Rednexus]

One of 2 things is happening. They have some data that the majority of shops would remove the UCAs to replace bushings, so their production cost for new UCAs is less than their warranty labor for pressing ball joints, or there is something like the bad ball joints cause some issue with the arm and shops are saying the whole unit should be replaced once they get into it.
I am assuming it's the first one unless there is some change to the replacement arms beyond just a different ball joint supplier.

I'll compare them side-by-side when they come in and see if there is a difference in the replacement vs. my 2021 UCA. I do agree though, if it's an extra hour of labor per side per LCA, it could easily exceed their production costs for new UCAs. Given they are replacing all of their UCAs and have replaced a not insignificant amount of FCP front coilovers due to the bent spring issue I had (including the 2nd gen Tundra where they discontinued they kit), they must be bleeding money right now. I still really like my FCP kit (ride quality, stability while towing, etc) but it's unfortunate they are having these issues.

I've checked mine a few times and the LCAs/UBJs are doing perfectly fine - no tears in the boot, no play.

 

[ericm979]

FYI I used the 12-ton HF press (borrowed) to press out wheel bearings on my buddy's Tundra. It was pretty good but I'll probably buy the 20-ton version when I get one - the 12T was kind of small.

I agree. I have the 12ton. It's been sufficient for pressing motorcycle bearings which is what I got it for. It's also been used (with food safe press plates) to make apple cider. But there have times I wish I'd spent the extra $20 or whatever for the 20 ton. I have yet to do any car stuff with it but I'm sure I'd want the 20ton model for that.