Deeke's upper control arms?

[JeepinSteve]

Steve, did you manage to get yours installed yet? Any tips?

Hello Stu. I have not had an opportunity to install them yet. What is the problem you are having installing them? Does the inner metal sleeve fit in the opening without the washers? On the Amazon listing for these control arms, there was a comment/Review about the washers being to big to fit in the opening. The guy ended up buying smaller washers that seemed to work.

 

[StueyD]

Hello Stu. I have not had an opportunity to install them yet. What is the problem you are having installing them? Does the inner metal sleeve fit in the opening without the washers? On the Amazon listing for these control arms, there was a comment/Review about the washers being to big to fit in the opening. The guy ended up buying smaller washers that seemed to work.

It's exactly that, the nipple's get in the way i.e. can't get it high enough and wouldn't trust it if they were on there, as in it looks like it might get caught/ripped off.

I've actually bought some grub screws to plug the holes, though thinking screws with a head might have been a better idea.

They are also too wide as well, and I think even with smaller washes I think I may have to trim the bushes and or grind a mm or 2 off of the bush arms/holes.

 

[JeepinSteve]

It's exactly that, the nipple's get in the way i.e. can't get it high enough and wouldn't trust it if they were on there, as in it looks like it might get caught/ripped off.

I've actually bought some grub screws to plug the holes, though thinking screws with a head might have been a better idea.

They are also too wide as well, and I think even with smaller washes I think I may have to trim the bushes and or grind a mm or 2 off of the bush arms/holes.

Just from your experience installing these control arms, do you think it would help to get bushings with a thicker outer lip so you could eliminate the metal washers? Basically the outer portion of the bushing would be thicker thank the original bushing thus no need for the metal washer. Hope that makes sense.

 

[StueyD]

Just from your experience installing these control arms, do you think it would help to get bushings with a thicker outer lip so you could eliminate the metal washers? Basically the outer portion of the bushing would be thicker thank the original bushing thus no need for the metal washer. Hope that makes sense.

I'm going to try and fit one of the arms tomorrow,.
I'm partly thinking, that even without the washers I'm going to have to trim these bushes down a bit, but to be confirmed

 

[seafish]

Looks like they couldn't even bother to tighten hardware before taking pictures, I'd be concerned about what other shortcuts were taken...

+

They just seem too big for the wells and especially struggling with space with the nipple's on.

=
thumbs up @duderz7

You know you're on a really good forum when the second post in a thread nails it.

 

[JeepinSteve]

I'm going to try and fit one of the arms tomorrow,.
I'm partly thinking, that even without the washers I'm going to have to trim these bushes down a bit, but to be confirmed

Good luck. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

 

[seafish]

@StueyD and others..thanks for posting about your install issues with these cheap Deekes UCAs. That kind of detailed feedback is ALSO what makes this forum so great.

That said, of course the JBA uca's do not have ANY of these fitment problems that MIGHT be solved by eliminating washers, or trimming back bushings or replacing zerks with screws.

And while I am NOT saying these Deekes aren't worth saving money on in the end, I will point out again, that without metallurgy and/or weld testing to back them up, these silly fitment problems make me even more concerned about the actual quality and structural integrity of them.

This forum being made up of sophisticated and knowledgable members, I do not really have to point out the possible disastrous consequences if one of the UCA welds fails while driving at speed, or Jeeping on trail, but I CAN assure you that Deeke wont be around to help out.

As always, YOUR money, YOUR Jeep, YOUR Choice!!

 

[StueyD]

Good luck. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

I couldn't wait, just went and put one in.
It the rh side, drivers side here in the UK.

I swapped the nipple's to grub screws, didn't bother with any of the washers, but there was the possibility of sneaking one in on the side closer to the cab.

Had to employ the rubber mallet and the son to push the bolt while I wiggled and hammered.

Managed to get the bolt to the 2nd hole and then managed to persuade it the rest of the way with a 6lb mallet, very gently, but worked.

So I now have 1 in.

 

[KJowner]

I couldn't wait, just went and put one in.
It the rh side, drivers side here in the UK.

I swapped the nipple's to grub screws, didn't bother with any of the washers, but there was the possibility of sneaking one in on the side closer to the cab.

Had to employ the rubber mallet and the son to push the bolt while I wiggled and hammered.

Managed to get the bolt to the 2nd hole and then managed to persuade it the rest of the way with a 6lb mallet, very gently, but worked.

So I now have 1 in.

Where did you get them from? Haven't seen any UK sellers offering them.
Just fitted a second hand upper on mine, the last one was dead after a year and a half so bolt in ball joints look attractive but JBA's are the same price as gold here!

 

[StueyD]

Where did you get them from? Haven't seen any UK sellers offering them.
Just fitted a second hand upper on mine, the last one was dead after a year and a half so bolt in ball joints look attractive but JBA's are the same price as gold here!

I purchased them on Amazon but were shipped from China. Took about 10 days.

https://amzn.eu/d/4EwfBUi

 

[Kase]

Hey Kase, I just tried to install a set of these and even without the washers I seem to be struggling with fit.

Any tips or suggestions you could offer?

They just seem too big for the wells and especially struggling with space with the nipple's on.

I had to have a second person and a pry bar to persuade them in but they did fit fine on my 04

 

[JustSumDad]

I just got a set from Amazon, plan to do the work this coming Canada day long weekend.
Looking at the bushing setup, the large washer set is clearly to space them in... does the metal part of the bushing just float? I thought the metal insert would be the point where the bolt pinches it in, if the big washers are used, the pinch point would be the plastic bushings and be jammed up I think...

What am I missing?

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[KJowner]

The metal core must be clamped in any bush setup, poly's use the core as a big plane bearing to rotate on, so normally smeared in silicone grease on assembly or they sqeak.
Rubber bushes are pliable and just deform between the sleeve and core to allow movement.

 

[JustSumDad]

The metal core must be clamped in any bush setup, poly's use the core as a big plane bearing to rotate on, so normally smeared in silicone grease on assembly or they sqeak.
Rubber bushes are pliable and just deform between the sleeve and core to allow movement.

this is exactly my thinking... with what was supplied I don't see how that would be possible... The spacer washers seen in that baggie in the pic - would prevent the metal core from clamping...

 

[JustSumDad]

does anyone know what the end to end distance should be for the metal core?
2003 KJ

 

[StueyD]

You'll be hard pushed to get the spacers in, I didn't bother with mine.
Was tight enough as is on the 05 3.7 v6 (UK).

 

[JustSumDad]

You'll be hard pushed to get the spacers in, I didn't bother with mine.
Was tight enough as is on the 05 3.7 v6 (UK).

from what I am seeing they could not be used regardless, they would make the problem I am seeing worse...

 

[seafish]

from what I am seeing they could not be used regardless, they would make the problem I am seeing worse...

All of this "non sense" with the hardware supplied with these imitation JBA control arms makes me wonder exactly how it compares to the hardware and installation on the real deal.

 

[JustSumDad]

All of this "non sense" with the hardware supplied with these imitation JBA control arms makes me wonder exactly how it compares to the hardware and installation on the real deal.

Same, but for the few hundred bucks difference and issues bringing things across the boarders these days... I can fabricate things if needed.

 

[KJowner]

How do they look? Are they welds decent?