Need input on recently installed UCAs

[mannyjag]

I recently had a pair of Turn Offroad UCAs installed at a 4X4 shop on my Badlands Sasquatch Bronco. After i picked up the Bronco from the shop the steering was very stiff and it wouldn't return to center after turning left or right, i had to manually adjusted the steering wheel back to center almost as if i had no power steering. i decided to take to another local shop today to have them try to correct the issue with the alignment. they were only able to do minor adjustments. the steering is still stiff but the steering returns almost back to center. they recommended a lift to correct the alignment. i was in the impression that by installing the UCAs i would be able to install 37s on my rig with no problem. I just ordered some RPG perch collars to remedy this. Am i on the right track?

thanks in advance!

Sponsored

 

[TruckCamper]

That's the joy of Uniball UCA... Swap for a control arm with a ball joint (like Icon or ARB). Funny how many aftermarket parts have massive downsides that are never explained.

 

[PWillette]

I recently had a pair of Turn Offroad UCAs installed at a 4X4 shop on my Badlands Sasquatch Bronco. After i picked up the Bronco from the shop the steering was very stiff and it wouldn't return to center after turning left or right, i had to manually adjusted the steering wheel back to center almost as if i had no power steering. i decided to take to another local shop today to have them try to correct the issue with the alignment. they were only able to do minor adjustments. the steering is still stiff but the steering returns almost back to center. they recommended a lift to correct the alignment. i was in the impression that by installing the UCAs i would be able to install 37s on my rig with no problem. I just ordered some RPG perch collars to remedy this. Am i on the right track?

thanks in advance!

A lift allows you to clear 37s...the UCA upgrade works in conjunction with a lift to be able to align correctly post lift install. The upgraded UCAs have a different geometry from OEM so if you install them w/o a lift it's most likely going to act funky. How much lift are you going?

 

[mannyjag]

A lift allows you to clear 37s...the UCA upgrade works in conjunction with a lift to be able to align correctly post lift install. The upgraded UCAs have a different geometry from OEM so if you install them w/o a lift it's most likely going to act funky. How much lift are you going?

Thanks for your input, I am adding 2.25" Front Lift, 1.25" Rear Lift perch collars

 

[dgorsett]

Did the shop doing the UCAs unplug the EPS?

 

[mannyjag]

Did the shop doing the UCAs unplug the EPS?

I don’t think so, no messages or lights in the dash are coming up. The shop couldn’t put it back in to oem spec or suggested caster measurements

 

[HPNQ420]

I recently had a pair of Turn Offroad UCAs installed at a 4X4 shop on my Badlands Sasquatch Bronco. After i picked up the Bronco from the shop the steering was very stiff and it wouldn't return to center after turning left or right, i had to manually adjusted the steering wheel back to center almost as if i had no power steering. i decided to take to another local shop today to have them try to correct the issue with the alignment. they were only able to do minor adjustments. the steering is still stiff but the steering returns almost back to center. they recommended a lift to correct the alignment. i was in the impression that by installing the UCAs i would be able to install 37s on my rig with no problem. I just ordered some RPG perch collars to remedy this. Am i on the right track?

thanks in advance!

Edit: I just watched https://turnoffroad.com/products/20...pper-control-arms-pair?variant=44705225900210

These control arms should be good at no lift. I will bet neither shop was aware that the heim joints were adjustable and skipped the adjustment/alignment procedure shown in the video.

End edit.

The stock suspension adjustment provides a range of camber adjustment centered around stock ride heights. This is achieved by mounting control arms on ecentric cams.

The nature of the IFS in the bronco as that as the suspension moves downward from the frame, positive camber increases (bottom of the tires move inboard).

As you lift the Bronco, you begin to run out of adjustment to have the camber within spec. Replacement UCA's (as stated by others above) is to allow the suspension to be adjusted into spec in areas where you would have run out of adjustment on the stock units.

UCA's have nothing to do with fitting 37's other than they become necessary while lifting your Bronco beyond a certain height.

You are doing things backwards.

You should review this: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2025-suspension-recommendations-by-snacktime.108733/

There is more to running 37's than perch collars and UCA's if you want a bronco with good road or off-road performance. The tires need clearance. The shocks need to be able to handle the additional unsprung weight.

My advice would be to put the stock units back on, get your Bronco properly aligned, and begin to do some serious research before trying to add 37's.

Disclaimer: I am happy on 33's with 1.5" of lift right now and will probably never go to the 37's, although I have a friend who is running 37's on his Bronco. However, I have had my suspension apart, and have a fundamental knowledge of suspension design. (I designed the suspension for a Formula SAE car that did pretty well 33 years ago.)

 

[Mikerider]

I dont know if its possible in this case but I have seen shops swap the left and right control arm and install them on the wrong side, might be an easy quick thing to check.

 

[mannyjag]

Edit: I just watched https://turnoffroad.com/products/20...pper-control-arms-pair?variant=44705225900210

These control arms should be good at no lift. I will bet neither shop was aware that the heim joints were adjustable and skipped the adjustment/alignment procedure shown in the video.

End edit.

The stock suspension adjustment provides a range of camber adjustment centered around stock ride heights. This is achieved by mounting control arms on ecentric cams.

The nature of the IFS in the bronco as that as the suspension moves downward from the frame, positive camber increases (bottom of the tires move inboard).

As you lift the Bronco, you begin to run out of adjustment to have the camber within spec. Replacement UCA's (as stated by others above) is to allow the suspension to be adjusted into spec in areas where you would have run out of adjustment on the stock units.

UCA's have nothing to do with fitting 37's other than they become necessary while lifting your Bronco beyond a certain height.

You are doing things backwards.

You should review this: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2025-suspension-recommendations-by-snacktime.108733/

There is more to running 37's than perch collars and UCA's if you want a bronco with good road or off-road performance. The tires need clearance. The shocks need to be able to handle the additional unsprung weight.

My advice would be to put the stock units back on, get your Bronco properly aligned, and begin to do some serious research before trying to add 37's.

Disclaimer: I am happy on 33's with 1.5" of lift right now and will probably never go to the 37's, although I have a friend who is running 37's on his Bronco. However, I have had my suspension apart, and have a fundamental knowledge of suspension design. (I designed the suspension for a Formula SAE car that did pretty well 33 years ago.)

Thank you so much for your input, the first shop I took it to was 4wp, I guess I am not going to that shop again. I took it to second shop the next day to see if they could correct the alignment. They were able to correct the alignment a bit more. I am going to have to go back to the second shop and see if they can correct it at all and make the appropriate adjustments.

thanks again!

Sponsored