UCA

[iwillnc]

I've heard of people replacing their UCA, why would you do this? Where is the weak point?

They look fairly well made, I have an 03, so they are first years...

Also the old problem years ago with wheels seemingly coming off while driving, what was that ever attributed to, or was it found to be a defect that just passed regular inspection?

[jsbihn]

tagged into this one. because 1) dont know what a UCA is. and 2) didnt know our wheels had a tendency to come off... whoa!

[HummerJim]

The UCA problem was primarily with radically lifted H2s. I don't know of anyone that used the Cognito or Fabtech lift kits that had any problems.
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=42105

[HummerMann]

Most of the aftermarket UCA's have uniballs instead of ball joints. The uniball is bolted to your spindle and cannot rip off. The stock uca's cannot take the angle of an extreme lift and will fail or might even rip out on a hard droop or compression. That is how I understand it.
There was a troll as I remember claiming the wheels were cracking at the spindle joint and falling off his stock H2, and I'm sure someone that's been here longer than me probably remembers all the disinformation he put on the site.

[LoJac963]

I have actually read about a few instances of stock H2's going on long road trips and a part failing allowing the wheel to come off. I don't believe the wheel actually came completely off the truck but still a little worrisome.

I didn't know if it was a hub issue or what since it seems like these things burn through hubs like they're going out of style.

Anyways the occurances I read about was only on 2 different H2's so maybe they were isolated events.

[HummerJim]

I found this issue posted May 2010 about the issue you have brought up.
It looks like it was propagated by one individual with an agenda.

http://hummersonline.blogspot.com/20...orial-day.html

Therefore, I recommend you take with a grain of salt, some things you read on car forums from trolls!

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by iwillnc

I've heard of people replacing their UCA, why would you do this? Where is the weak point?

They look fairly well made, I have an 03, so they are first years...

Also the old problem years ago with wheels seemingly coming off while driving, what was that ever attributed to, or was it found to be a defect that just passed regular inspection?

On the H2 some of the frontend components are prone to premature wear due to some angles placed on the suspension components when moving to a larger tire. If your rig will never see larger than stock tires or any kinda of rock crawling, then you're fine sticking with stock.

If you're moving up to 37s or beyond then you'll start to look at lifting/leveling your rig, this is when new UCAs would come into play. There's lot of info on this site about the Cognito kit, but, again, if you're keeping your truck on the pavement with the stock BFG ATs there's really no need.

[iwillnc]

I am actually planning 37s but I was under the assumption no torsion adjustments were necessary, or are they?
I kinda want maybe an inch or two but I'm not sure yet.

[LoJac963]

Some rub with 37's and some don't. Mine rubs with the stock 35's on the passenger sway bar so I know for a fact I'd be lifting it a bit to fit in 37's. Just all depends on your rig.

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by iwillnc

I am actually planning 37s but I was under the assumption no torsion adjustments were necessary, or are they?
I kinda want maybe an inch or two but I'm not sure yet.

Depending upon your rig (some subtle differences occur from truck to truck), which 37s you choose, and what rim you use you may have to perform adjustments. The adjustments could be as simple as cranking the torsion bars a bit, or adding GM Green keys, or going with the Cognito UCA leveling kit.

When I went to BFG MT 37s on my stock rims I had rubbing at full lock, so I started with Truxxx keys (same as GM Green keys) and a few cranks on the torsion bar. That leveled the truck and removed the rub, but made the ride harsh. So I ultimately did the Cognito UCA kit with Bilstein shocks and threw the Cognito pitman/idler support kits in for good measure. This kept the truck level, kept the rub at bay, and returned the ride to the stock feel.

Had I gone with an after market rim with a shallower backspace I prolly wouldn't have had a rub in the first place 'cause there'd have been less rubber under the truck (in toward the suspension components). I can't say that for sure...but that;s what logic tells me.

[iwillnc]

I was picking up my truck and was talking to them, I somehow completely have looked over the fact these factory uca's don't have bolted in ball joints.

Well that in itself is enough to sell me over to the aftermarket.

[iwillnc]

Wow, has anyone seen the new GM UCA's?
Their absolutely cheap, their c frame is similar to ones I installed on a s10, the original UCA were fully boxed


Also any thoughts on the Dmax UCA?
I see cognito has a problem with the balljoints as well as being more expensive and having a tarnished reputation

[iwillnc]

Bump