DIY New Camburg UCA's

[Derek24]

Finally got around to installing my Camburg UCA’s yesterday and I’m glad I did. Install went well and took about 3hrs including swapping out my tires for new ones and setting my 5100’s on the 4th notch (2inch lift). Instantly I could feel a difference in ride and feel. More solid and smooth! I took some pictures along the way for anyone else that feels up to the challenge installing these UCA’s.
Step 1: Get the truck up on jack stands and remove the front tires
Step 2: Remove the coil over assembly; three 9/16” nuts on top and one large ¾” bolt on the bottom and set aside. You may have to remove the sway bar from the tie rod.

Step 3: Take the pin out from the bolt holding the ball joint to the UCA with needle nose pliers

Step 4: Remove the ¾” nut that holds the ball joint to the UCA.

Step 5: Remove all ASB wire brackets attached to the top of the UCA and one on the spindle arm.
Step 6: The ball joint has a tapered lip holding it inside the UCA and is really in there. I used a 7inch gear puller (like $10 at any auto store) to push the ball joint out of the UCA. When it pops out you will know so be ready for things to fall. I used some penetrating oil and soaked some down in between the bolt to loosen up 9 yrs of grime.

Step 7: Remove the UCA using a 3/4” box wrench and snake the foot long bolt out.

Step 8: Back to the ball joint. There is a wire wrapped around the rubber boot covering the ball joint that needs to be removed. Remove the rubber boot and wipe all excess grease surrounding the ball joint.

Step 9: In order to press the ball joint out there is a black C-Clip under the ball joint that needs to be removed. I clamped one side of the C-Clip while I worked the other side off. DO NOT BREAK this C-Clip you will reuse it.

Step 10: With the C-Clip off your ready to press out the ball joint. I purchased the Total Chaos ball joint removal-slug adaptor install tool from Wheelers($15) and rented a ball joint removal press from Autozone (looks like a beefed up C-Clamp) to remove my ball joint. Good luck trying it any other way these ball joints are really in there so be ready for a sour arm the next day.

Step 11: With the ball joint remove clean out and around the spindle arm.

Step 12: Now you’re ready to install the slug adapter back into to where you pressed out the ball joint. I heated the spindle arm up to make it easier for the slug adapter to press up in there. I used the spacers that came with the ball joint press kit to install the slug adapter. *Make sure the slug adapter presses in evenly, you will have to loosen the ball joint press and move it around in order for even pressing. Having a friend helping at this point is a good idea.

Step 13: Once the slug adapter is pressed in take that black C-Clip that you saved and did not break and install it the same way you removed it back under the slug adapter.

Step 14: Now you can assemble your new Camburg UCA and grease it up. Install your new UCA’s the same way you took off your old, don’t forget the 4 washers before snaking that long bolt through. Tighten up the control arm.

Step 15: Join the slug adapter into the Uni-Ball/UCA and install the top spacer and the bolt and tighten up. Install the ASB wire bracket back to the spindle arm. I removed the bracket that attached to the top of the UCA and pull-tied the wire to the new Camburgs.

Step 16: Install your coil over back into the truck and your sway bar if you took it off.

Step 17: Double check that all nuts and bolts are tight. Put your tires back on and set it back on the ground. Grab a beer and look back at your hard work. You’re done; you will never have to do this again!!

[Chandler1323]

Great write up! Mods please Sticky this!!!!!

[Scorp979]

Awesome write up, very detailed. Definitely should be added to the diy list.

[Tundradrenalin]

Outstanding write-up! Thanks for taking the time to document the whole install. Adding to DIY sticky and lots of rep points given.

Great work on that DIY project.

[Timberline]

Great post and thanks for the pics! I'm just about to go through this same process and will reference this thread before starting it.

[Derek24]

Originally Posted by Chandler1323

Great write up! Mods please Sticky this!!!!!

Originally Posted by Scorp979

Awesome write up, very detailed. Definitely should be added to the diy list.

Originally Posted by Tundradrenalin

Outstanding write-up! Thanks for taking the time to document the whole install. Adding to DIY sticky and lots of rep points given.

Great work on that DIY project.

Originally Posted by Timberline

Great post and thanks for the pics! I'm just about to go through this same process and will reference this thread before starting it.

Hey thats what I'm here for. While I was installing these arms I ran into some problems and could not find detailed enoughf instructions and Camburg does not send you any, so I figured I'd make my own to make it easier for you guys. JBA write up next!!

[NHtoyman]

Oh great, Another thing too save up for LOL

Awesome job. That tundra looks sweet.

[Hugemoose]

Well done! It's about time you got ride of that stupid spacer in there too

I would like to get some new UCA's for my truck, but I think bumpers are in order first! Either way, at least there are some nice well documented instructionss now. Very well done!

[integraGSR]

Originally Posted by NHtoyman

Oh great, Another thing too save up for LOL

yeah, there was a set for 300 bucks on craigslist. didn't have money to buy.

[student's tundra]

Nice write up, UCAs are something that's still on my list of things to buy

[NHtoyman]

Originally Posted by integraGSR

yeah, there was a set for 300 bucks on craigslist. didn't have money to buy.

There actually priced pretty good. The stock Toyota's I think cost more. I just need too wait till I need them. Makes it easier to tell the wife I am forking out 600 bucks or so cause the truck is broke LOL.

Cause my shocks you know just started leaking and the muffler started leaking etc etc LOL

[Derek24]

Originally Posted by NHtoyman

Oh great, Another thing too save up for LOL

Awesome job. That tundra looks sweet.

Thanks man, I try to keep her dirty and clean.

Originally Posted by Hugemoose

Well done! It's about time you got ride of that stupid spacer in there too

I would like to get some new UCA's for my truck, but I think bumpers are in order first! Either way, at least there are some nice well documented instructionss now. Very well done!

Tell me about it. If only i did this two years and did it right the first time.

Originally Posted by integraGSR

yeah, there was a set for 300 bucks on craigslist. didn't have money to buy.

These are them. I remember the guy said someone looked at them but didn't have the $. Sorry dude.

Originally Posted by student's tundra

Nice write up, UCAs are something that's still on my list of things to buy

Thanks. I was lucky to find these on craigslist.

[integraGSR]

Originally Posted by NHtoyman

There actually priced pretty good. The stock Toyota's I think cost more. I just need too wait till I need them. Makes it easier to tell the wife I am forking out 600 bucks or so cause the truck is broke LOL.

Cause my shocks you know just started leaking and the muffler started leaking etc etc LOL

i wouldn't doubt that the toyota ones cost more. ever see how much it is to replace the struts off a 4 runner w/ sport edition? WOW!

but i can relate, need to wait until it starts to leak or something so the wifey will let you buy it.

i think these were the same ones that i saw on craigslist. i remember talking to Derek24 and he said the seller said someone came by and looked but had no money. it was me. oh well!

[winetruck]

Derek24

I received my Camburg UCAs on Monday and had been looking for info, since Camburg doesn't supply it. I am planning to do the install on Saturday and I had resigned myself to spending a lot of time learning when WHAM - your DIY appears from heaven.

This article rocks! Thank you so much for documenting it so well!!!!!!

I do have 2 questions....I don't have time to order the piece from Total Chaos to use in conjunction with the Ball Joint Press.
1. Do you think I will be able to use the adapters that come in that kit or should I put off the build and order the piece from TC?
2. Do you think an impact wrench would have helped you to remove the BJ with the press?

Thanks again.

[Derek24]

Originally Posted by winetruck

Derek24

I received my Camburg UCAs on Monday and had been looking for info, since Camburg doesn't supply it. I am planning to do the install on Saturday and I had resigned myself to spending a lot of time learning when WHAM - your DIY appears from heaven.

This article rocks! Thank you so much for documenting it so well!!!!!!

I do have 2 questions....I don't have time to order the piece from Total Chaos to use in conjunction with the Ball Joint Press.
1. Do you think I will be able to use the adapters that come in that kit or should I put off the build and order the piece from TC?
2. Do you think an impact wrench would have helped you to remove the BJ with the press?

Thanks again.

Hey no problem.
1. The kit does not have any spacers that will work for pressing out the stock ball joint. They have one spacer that works well for installing the new slug adapter, but thats about it.

The TC pieces is on long skinny half cap metal tube and one larger shorter half capped metal tube.


The long skinny one sits on top of the ball joint and the other on the bottom where the ball joint falls into after you crank on that press.


2. The is only about an inch or so between the top of the press and the wheel well. I only had room for a cresent wrench, but if the was room for an impact gun it would have made life all ot easier. Thats the hardest part about this job is pressing out the stock ball joints and installing the new slug adapter.

I would just hold out for the TC press tools unless you can fab up some kind of tool to work. I thought about it but figured two days and $15 dollars was well worth it. Call Wheelers Offroad Wheeler's Off Road they carry this tool and their shipping is pretty fast too. The longer you wait the better it will be, as they say. Hope this help you a little.