Upper Control arm Fiasco - maybe this will help others...

[JustSumDad]

So this weekend I had a four day repair due to parts that just don't work.
2003 Jeep KJ 4x4 3.7 auto

Got a set of those Deeke UCA that look fairly decent. Did not imagine they could not fit. Gave up (likely going to lose money on these)

ALSO - don't go with the AC-Delco UCA as they put the zerk on the inside and you cant access it due to proximity of the spring.
Second note on AC-Delco - the rubber boot is very thin and very easily torn.

Manage to return the Delco UCA at Lordco (they were great) and got Moog UCA, Zerk on the outside, well made, good rubber boot, easy install.

Final report, Don't go with Deeke anymore, seems they "upgraded" the bushings to larger units that don't fit the KJ, specifically our 2003 and I don't know if the UCA bushing pocket may be larger in later years but that's the only way these would work.

 

[u2slow]

Fwiw, I hogged out the bushing pockets with a die grinder to allow the upper arm to droop more.

Maybe that would give room? Or are the bushings too wide instead?

 

[KJowner]

Annoying! Have you measured them to see how much they are out? I'm guessing it's the steel sleeves that are too long?

 

[JustSumDad]

Annoying! Have you measured them to see how much they are out? I'm guessing it's the steel sleeves that are too long?

nope the sleeves are perfect.
#1) the diameter of the poly is too large and rubs in the rounded corners in the back, wont allow the bushing into the pocket enough to get the bolt in. Answer here is to slightly chamfer the edges of the poly bearing. Not ideal but I would have been ok if this was all.
#2) since the diameter of the poly is increased the metal outer sleeve to accommodate it is also larger, this causes the zerk to be too close to the top of the pocket and hits before the upper travel is complete. Site cant allow video file large enough so I have a link to my Amazon review where I have a video showing it.

I think this will work:

Amazon Sign In

 

[JustSumDad]

Fwiw, I hogged out the bushing pockets with a die grinder to allow the upper arm to droop more.

Maybe that would give room? Or are the bushings too wide instead?

I considered a few thoughts, up to and including cutting a relief in the top of the pocket to allow the zerk fitting to clear, and drilling and tapping a new hole in the bottom for the zerk to be under side of the bushing... decided against.

 

[u2slow]

Could have greased them and removed zerks.

My arms from RRO has no greasing provisions. At 150,000km on them now.

Edit: there are a number of writeups on die grinding the pocket openings. I would have chamfered the bushing if that was easier.

 

[KJowner]

That's a shame, as U2slow says, it might be worth removing and fitting a couple of plugs into the grease holes, a bit of a fiddle to re-grease but not a frequent job.
I wouldn't grind the pockets out unless weld more metal in to extend them, they are a nice ridged box designed to carry the load of the front upper arm.

 

[JustSumDad]

Could have greased them and removed zerks.

My arms from RRO has no greasing provisions. At 150,000km on them now.

Edit: there are a number of writeups on die grinding the pocket openings. I would have chamfered the bushing if that was easier.

I considered that as well, but then every 6 months or so I have to remove the arms to re-grease them...
hell no

 

[JustSumDad]

Trying to sell these Deeke arms now rather than sending them back...
anyone on or near Vancouver island interested

 

[derekj]

Trying to sell these Deeke arms now rather than sending them back...
anyone on or near Vancouver island interested

What would you want for them?

 

[JustSumDad]

What would you want for them?

I sent them back on Friday just before I went camping. Likely a few hours b4 you posted

 

[tesuzuki2002]

So this weekend I had a four day repair due to parts that just don't work.
2003 Jeep KJ 4x4 3.7 auto

Got a set of those Deeke UCA that look fairly decent. Did not imagine they could not fit. Gave up (likely going to lose money on these)

ALSO - don't go with the AC-Delco UCA as they put the zerk on the inside and you cant access it due to proximity of the spring.
Second note on AC-Delco - the rubber boot is very thin and very easily torn.

Manage to return the Delco UCA at Lordco (they were great) and got Moog UCA, Zerk on the outside, well made, good rubber boot, easy install.

Final report, Don't go with Deeke anymore, seems they "upgraded" the bushings to larger units that don't fit the KJ, specifically our 2003 and I don't know if the UCA bushing pocket may be larger in later years but that's the only way these would work.

Thanks, I appreciate the info!!! I have it in my short time plan that I 'll need to replace the UCA, LCA, Tie rods, and any other front end wear items that need replaced. I have 165K miles on the vehicle now and all the suspension, steering and control are Original parts.

Did you replace more than just the UCAs? Any other gotchas that you ran into?

Thanks!!!

 

[JMichael2006]

So this weekend I had a four day repair due to parts that just don't work.
2003 Jeep KJ 4x4 3.7 auto

Got a set of those Deeke UCA that look fairly decent. Did not imagine they could not fit. Gave up (likely going to lose money on these)

ALSO - don't go with the AC-Delco UCA as they put the zerk on the inside and you cant access it due to proximity of the spring.
Second note on AC-Delco - the rubber boot is very thin and very easily torn.

Manage to return the Delco UCA at Lordco (they were great) and got Moog UCA, Zerk on the outside, well made, good rubber boot, easy install.

Final report, Don't go with Deeke anymore, seems they "upgraded" the bushings to larger units that don't fit the KJ, specifically our 2003 and I don't know if the UCA bushing pocket may be larger in later years but that's the only way these would work.

The Deeke UCA's worked fine once I greased then plugged the fitting holes. It was that or hog slots in the upper bracket body to clear the zero fittings.

 

[JustSumDad]

Thanks, I appreciate the info!!! I have it in my short time plan that I 'll need to replace the UCA, LCA, Tie rods, and any other front end wear items that need replaced. I have 165K miles on the vehicle now and all the suspension, steering and control are Original parts.

Did you replace more than just the UCAs? Any other gotchas that you ran into?

Thanks!!!

Did the lower ball joints with Moog problem solvers and I did the wheel bearings as well. The LCA I did not touch.
In my case the tie rods were just a little lose but I think I can get by for a bit more. Easy to replace and I can do my own toe in adjustment.
Suggest you take a close look at your springs and shocks, on Jeeps this old, they are very often bagged!

So far I have put in new spring set by H&R 1.5" lift over stock, Bilenstien front shocks, UCA, lower ball joints, and front wheel bearings.

parts that show wear and are still on my to do list:
rear boomerang (ball joint is a little lose)
rear shocks (going longer with a hockey puck bumpstop increase)
Front tie rods (I think they will hold out till next spring) will watch them closely.

 

[JustSumDad]

The Deeke UCA's worked fine once I greased then plugged the fitting holes. It was that or hog slots in the upper bracket body to clear the zero fittings.

thing is, how are you going to re-grease the setup? These are open bushing setups, so the grease gets pushed out over just a few months.
Hard to say how long it will go, but I would expect 6 ish months and the bushings will be squeaking or wearing badly...

The only way to re-grease is to pull the UCA out...