camber kit with which UCA

[buzz11]

So I installed my ingalls balljoint camber kit on my upper control arm. The problem is that it fits about 90% with little play. When tightend, there is no play but the steering feels a bit off. I'm not sure if its my upper control arm or not. I am using the Dorman brand from Advanced auto. I'm just wondering what brand are other members using for UCA's and if they had the same issue.

[i want my cb9]

when messing with camber you have to get an alignment, i hope this helps

[buzz11]

when messing with camber you have to get an alignment, i hope this helps

Yea that's what I figure. But I'm just seeing if the brand of the UCA would matter on how tight the slider plate would be. Although after tightening down the bolt, it didn't seem to slide or move.

[crazymikey]

I had some generic ebay ones in my car. With them installed, they corrected my camber, but the downside was the UCA now smashed into my inner fender all the time.

[bassrock234]

I also have the ingalls kit, using the oem arms. When reading the DIY's I saw on the subject they said that the slider plates needed to be pressed in, but mine, like your's, fit right in and had a little play. After tightening they didn't move though and I've never had a problem with them. Changing camber has a pretty large affect on toe. So I'd bet its just your alignment.

[deevergote]

That's one reason why I'm not a fan of the ball joint kits. I don't like the idea of removing the stock ball joints to install them. I'd prefer a quality anchor bolt kit.

I had some generic ebay ones in my car. With them installed, they corrected my camber, but the downside was the UCA now smashed into my inner fender all the time.

All camber kits do that. That's what happens when you change the geometry.

[bassrock234]

What makes you not like the ball joint kind? If you needed new upper ball joints, would you replace the entire arm?

[deevergote]

Yes (and I have).
Honda doesn't sell just the upper ball joints. They only sell the entire arm, with the joint installed. It makes me uneasy to press the joint out. The metal is rather thin, and if pressing the old out and the new in puts too much stress on it, I fear it could fail. I have yet to see that happen, but given the consequences of such failure... I feel it's wise to be cautious.

[bassrock234]

Interesting that honda would replace the entire arm as well. I can see your point though. Being quite familiar with a press I can easily see how improper removal of the old joint could cause damage to the arm. Using a socket and hammer like I did, I feel there is much less of a chance of damage to the control arm, since the forces are much less than that of a press. I wonder if Honda feels the same way. Maybe they replace the whole arm to reduce the risk of careless tech's damaging control arms, or maybe removing the balljoint all together could weaken the arm.

[wildBill83]

I have had "reman" control arms that the upper ball joint just falls out of because they were reworked I assume.

[deevergote]

Probably. The only way to remanufacture an upper control arm is to replace the ball joint and anchor bolts (or at least the anchor bolt bushings.)