Reversing UCA's (Pics)

[v7guy]

Well, something is extremely not right there

[ARC-]

Old is new... I am going to install LiftMeisters 3" suspension lift. Is there a new thread on this caster issue or any progress?

Maybe a custom build like a heavy duty gusseted version of this.
???

[v7guy]

It's largely a non issue for the vast majority of vehicles.

[Trail X]

Caster is probably less of an issue than the camber, and sometimes that is a problem to get right - or so the techs will say.

[ARC-]

So, is the UCA JUST FLIPPED or do they switch from left to right side of the vehicle also?

[TBYODA]

So, is the UCA JUST FLIPPED or do they switch from left to right side of the vehicle also?

Yes side to side and flipped. Took me a long time reading different post to understand that. Would be good idea if a mod could update OP so it is clearer for new members.

[ARC-]

Awesome, thanks for confirming that. I read through many threads and thought I understood that also. I'm waiting for the UCA bushings,then installing the spacer, FLIPPING and swapping left to right and right to left these upper control arms.
I want the narrowest, tallest tires i can find. Military style...

[The Roadie]

OP edited.

[fallen angel]

just comfirming, I was able to swap them over with no cutting or removing of the wheel liner. On the driver side I pulled the inner fender out just a smidge using a good set of slip joint pliers, but other than that she's in once piece.

[ARC-]

I also did not have to cut on the SAAB 97X, just a lil prying to flex the sheetmetal and pull the bolt out. Same thing to get it back into the new Upper Control Arm bushing.

[Timberwolf]

So, is the UCA JUST FLIPPED or do they switch from left to right side of the vehicle also?

Yes side to side and flipped. Took me a long time reading different post to understand that. Would be good idea if a mod could update OP so it is clearer for new members.

Glad this was cleared up here. I flipped to the last page hoping for something that explained it better. with all the searching I've done there's been no clear answer on that.

I just picked up a pair of new UCA from advance auto. Same price (with coupon code) as amazon but I got them same day. Fixes the bushing issue without having to change bushings

[stansky]

Gonna make this long thread a bit longer...

So I replaced my UCAs and upper ball joints this weekend, and flipped them in the process. Got an alignment yesterday and my caster is at -4 and -5 degrees. Was able to get camber and toe just barely within spec. My wheel will actually pull into the turn after a certain steering angle. The shop I went too gave me a hard time about having a modified suspension and using their warranty. They had no problem with me coming back when I paid for the first alignment after lifting.
Anyways they told me there is nothing they can do to adjust caster, I haven't looked at the position of my LCA bracket yet but isn't that what the longitudinal slots are for? Are they just giving me a hard time for using my warranty?

I have a 3" mark lift installed with Moog 81069 springs. Still have stock tires. Anyways some of you who have alignment specs with flipped UCAs seem to have much more reasonable caster after this. Did I somehow manage to flip them wrong? I don't think they will even fit any other way. Maybe I didn't swap left for right but I remember being careful about that. Still could have made a mistake.

I'll upload a scan of the alignment specs this evening if anyone's interested.

Thanks in advance for any feedback, this forum is great!

[ARC-]

You have to flip them &... switch sides.
So, left on right side and right on left side and flip upside down. That's it.

[Dudabadical]

I tried to do this without cutting. Had success with the first 3 bolts. Ran into this on the last one. Lol. Oh, well. Time to bust out the sawsall. Thought about cutting the bolt shorter, but I have a feeling I might have to undo this again anyway.

[Trail X]

Welcome to the sheetmetal cutting club Nick, I think all 4 of mine have cuts in them to get my longer bolts in.

Anyways they told me there is nothing they can do to adjust caster, I haven't looked at the position of my LCA bracket yet but isn't that what the longitudinal slots are for?

The LBJ can move in and out, but also fore and aft to a certain extent due to the freedom of the lower control arm bracket. The fore and aft motion of the LBJ is how you adjust caster. I'd find another shop...

[PROSPHOTO]

I'm extremely late to the party, and have not flipped my upper control arms. My wheeling has been limited to beach going and light trails, and the angle don't look to bad for me to do the work.
Anyway, my build history...BDS lift with HD shocks in front, Fox shocks in rear, Z71 rear springs, and 32" Goodyear Duratracs (255/75R17).

When I first did the suspension and put these tires on, the truck was all over the road after alignment by dealer in spec. Since, I've had the alignment adjusted so the caster is as far positive as it can safely be done. My last alignment, the tech was trying to go a little further with the caster, but after 2 hours adjusting, re-adjusting, adjusting toe, and re-adjusting toe, he decided this was as good as he could get it. He was able to go further with the caster, but it forced him to adjust the toe too far out, leaving too little thread in the outer to safely drive with. It does ride really good where it is right now (highway speeds 70-80mph)