Looks like this seal is gone and liquid is out. Can I fix this or do I need to replace the UCA? If so, suggestions?
UCA Replacement or repair?
- Thread starter klimraamkosie
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #2
Before and after cleanup.
- Thread starter
- #3
Now that I look at it, the left side may be the same.
Was going to ask if you can tell its busted? Steering wheel shake and so on?
If you have to, I vote repair. Doesn't look all that different from the UCA ball joint I replaced on my 3rd Gen. Fairly sure I did it without taking the UCA out by using a ball joint press. If you had to take it out I think it's just that one long bolt in the engine bay, but at that point you might as well replace the whole thing. Then it's a suspension rabbit hole....
If you have to, I vote repair. Doesn't look all that different from the UCA ball joint I replaced on my 3rd Gen. Fairly sure I did it without taking the UCA out by using a ball joint press. If you had to take it out I think it's just that one long bolt in the engine bay, but at that point you might as well replace the whole thing. Then it's a suspension rabbit hole....
- Thread starter
- #5
No issues at all, drives like a dream.
If it feels fine (no play when loaded or unloaded) I'd leave it alone. If it bothers you, replace the ball joint or UCA. But I personally wouldn't until it was showing signs of mechanical failure.
Agreed here.
May not be relevant, the lower ball joint on the 3rd Gen can fail catastrophically, not sure if it's the same design on the GX / Prado / other IFS rigs, however. Was the first thing I did on both of my prior 3rd Gens.
r2m
Richard
After market UCA's are not that expensive and if you do suspension in the future (can't recall if you've done it yet or not), it will help with shock and tire clearance and alignments.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
How many miles are on your rig?
- Thread starter
- #10
158k.
I don't think the UCAs in these contain any grease. The ball joint is a sealed unit snd the boot only keeps junk out. Your ball joints are probably getting loose at 158k but I'd be surprised if they are worn out.
I'd leave it alome for now and upgrade to aftermarket UCAs if you olan on lifting in the future.
I'd leave it alome for now and upgrade to aftermarket UCAs if you olan on lifting in the future.
