Has anyone used 1-piece UCA?

Raybhxplorer · April 24, 2008

I have a 2001 Explorer XLT4x4. I bought the Moog parts(parts# K8708T&K8710T) today for changing upper control arms. But the RH only comes half, without the bracket with bushings. When I asked them about this,they found another one with part#:K80068, which is one piece part with bushings, just like the LH. one guy told me it's ok but another said this one was for other types of vehicle. My question is:Has anyone used the 1-piece UCA before? or can I use the 1-piece UCA to replace the old 2-piece one?

Thanks in advance!

parad1mg · April 24, 2008

i bought and installed the half piece youre talking about from napa on the passenger side and re-used the stock half with the bushing with no problems so far..

but in my opinion, better replace the whole thing with a two-piece UPA. i think you can substitute the 1-piece but the 2-piece gives a much bigger range for adjustment when you get an alignment later on..

ThePhoenix · April 24, 2008

i think the one piece eliminates (not in a good way) the toe adjustment

gijoecam · April 24, 2008

The upper control arm is not used to adjust toe. That's what the tie rods are for.

The 1-poece upper arm is not a big deal. You'll likely need to replace the mounting bolts with the camber kit bolts so they can adjust it. They can still adjust the caster and camber just like they used to be, but some ill-informed alignment shops (and parts stores) just don't know what they're doing or talking about.

-Joe

ThePhoenix · April 24, 2008

ok,...maybe it was camber...sorry

AMMO_HOOAH · April 24, 2008

Ditto ^^^ I'm had the one piece for over a year with no problems. It can confuse some stupid alignment guys though lol. They go to adjust the caster on the bracket that should be there, and figure out they'll have to do it the old fashioned way. Oh and just fyi I have yet to find a shop that doesn't charge extra for caster, and camber adjustment.

gijoecam · April 24, 2008

Indeed, it's CASTER angle that poses the issue. Camber angle is still set by the upper control arm mounting bolts even with the two-piece arm.

My theory on why they used this setup originally is thus: On the assembly line, the QC process was such that the caster angle on the driver's side was pretty close to where it should be, and within the acceptable tolerance. Rather than spend lots of time making BOTH sides' caster angle fall within a spec, if they just make the passenger side match the driver's side, it won't pull while driving down the road. So, as it's rolling down the assembly line, you bolt all the components on, it rolls off the line and onto the alignment rack, where they dial in the camber on both sides, then crank up the passenger side caster angle to match the driver's side, then set toe and they're off. It's simpler than trying to set the caster angle on BOTH sides to some particular spec...

That's my theory anyways...

-Joe

AMMO_HOOAH · April 24, 2008

That makes a lot of sense actually. Obviously you can still change the caster with the camber, but the seperate adjustment would make it a lot faster.

Raybhxplorer · April 24, 2008

parad1mg said:
i bought and installed the half piece youre talking about from napa on the passenger side and re-used the stock half with the bushing with no problems so far..

but in my opinion, better replace the whole thing with a two-piece UPA. i think you can substitute the 1-piece but the 2-piece gives a much bigger range for adjustment when you get an alignment later on..

Thanks!The thing is the auto parts store doesn't have the bracket peice,and told me ask dealer.

Raybhxplorer · April 24, 2008

AMMO_HOOAH said:
Ditto ^^^ I'm had the one piece for over a year with no problems. It can confuse some stupid alignment guys though lol. They go to adjust the caster on the bracket that should be there, and figure out they'll have to do it the old fashioned way. Oh and just fyi I have yet to find a shop that doesn't charge extra for caster, and camber adjustment.

Thanks,sounds encouraging for 1 piece arm. Iam not sure if i can find a good shop like you meant for alignment adjustment in the small town.

Raybhxplorer · April 24, 2008

gijoecam said:
Indeed, it's CASTER angle that poses the issue. Camber angle is still set by the upper control arm mounting bolts even with the two-piece arm.

My theory on why they used this setup originally is thus: On the assembly line, the QC process was such that the caster angle on the driver's side was pretty close to where it should be, and within the acceptable tolerance. Rather than spend lots of time making BOTH sides' caster angle fall within a spec, if they just make the passenger side match the driver's side, it won't pull while driving down the road. So, as it's rolling down the assembly line, you bolt all the components on, it rolls off the line and onto the alignment rack, where they dial in the camber on both sides, then crank up the passenger side caster angle to match the driver's side, then set toe and they're off. It's simpler than trying to set the caster angle on BOTH sides to some particular spec...

That's my theory anyways...

-Joe

Just wondering why only the driver side was made to adjust within caster spec. I looked the sevice manual, the passanger side and driver side both have the same caster angle (4.1degree-1degree) . Does the passanger side need to match the driver sides caster? or they can adjust their own angles as long as within the specs? I canot find info about this. Maybe just like you said Ford wanted make things easier and save lots of time in their assambly line. But why they change to the 1 piece UCA now, interesting...

rwenzing · April 24, 2008

Raybhxplorer said:
But why they change to the 1 piece UCA now, interesting...

Ford changed to the 1-piece PS arm on the assembly lines in 2003. Of course, by then the 4-door Ex's had an entirely new suspension but Rangers, Tracs and Sports continued with the earlier style like a Gen 2 Explorer. My late 2003 Ranger came from the factory with 1-piece arms on both sides and it aligns fine.

The 2-piece PS arm was originally provided as an independent adjustment for caster split. Apparently, it was found to be unnecessary in the field.

Ford discontinued the 2-piece replacement arm and later MOOG followed suit - both now offer a mirror image of the DS arm for the PS. You may still be able to find the 2-piece in the parts pipeline but they are being used up.

CDW6212R · April 24, 2008

Thanks Bob for the part numbers a few weeks ago. I have the two UCA's to go with my other front end parts. Hopefully I can start on that tomorrow.

Raybhxplorer · April 25, 2008

rwenzing said:
Ford changed to the 1-piece PS arm on the assembly lines in 2003. ...Ford discontinued the 2-piece replacement arm and later MOOG followed suit - both now offer a mirror image of the DS arm for the PS. You may still be able to find the 2-piece in the parts pipeline but they are being used up.

Thanks! Bob. :thumbsup:

very helpful information. I also read your previous post. I guess I am going to use the 1 peice PS arm instead of 2-piece one.

Has anyone used 1-piece UCA?

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