Outdoor Adventure USA

So I was thinking about cutting off my upper control arm brackets and installing these guys. The OME's are all wallowed out and they're weak to begin with. I don't have adjustable TA's so I am concerned that placement might become an issue. Anyone pros or cons, anyone done this yet?

gon2srf wrote:So I was thinking about cutting off my upper control arm brackets and installing these guys. The OME's are all wallowed out and they're weak to begin with. I don't have adjustable TA's so I am concerned that placement might become an issue. Anyone pros or cons, anyone done this yet?

I have a set of these sitting at the store for over a year now. I bought them when I first saw them, but then decided to just reinforce the existing mounts. Those new mounts are wider than the LCAs, so you have to use spacers to make up for the width - something I was leery of doing. The second issue is making sure they are precisely located, or your rear alignment goes to hell forever. It is a very doable, but time consuming, so I ended up welding plates around the existing mounts...so far, so good...

If you want to see these in person, or want to take them off my hands, call me...

I think I have the same problem that Scott is talking about, namely that there is a lot of slop that has built up over time in the OEM mounts. Others (on the blue forum) have reported that the bolt holes for the LCA's have become oval over time. I have the All Pro skids on my mounts, and haven't pulled them off to check, but I seem to get a lot of clunking from that area on accell/decell. What are your thoughts about that Larry?

Cnynrat wrote:I think I have the same problem that Scott is talking about, namely that there is a lot of slop that has built up over time in the OEM mounts. Others (on the blue forum) have reported that the bolt holes for the LCA's have become oval over time. I have the All Pro skids on my mounts, and haven't pulled them off to check, but I seem to get a lot of clunking from that area on accell/decell. What are your thoughts about that Larry?

I haven't seen any cases of oval-ed LCA mount holes at the shop so far, so I don't think it is very common. More likely due to a lack of after-trail maintenance, or improper LCA insatallation, IMO. The AP skids mount with the LCA bolts, so it's possible they may have allowed the LCA bolt to loosen when they get shifted by impact or vibration. I welded protection around my LCA mounts, and haven't had a looseness issue so far. I would definitely inspect you mount bolts - if they are loose or the holes are oval-ed, it could become dangerous to drive...

I have seen where guys using the AP guards are having an issue with clunking. The guard is too wide and causing gabs (as Larry mentioned with the new beefier mounts) and that is causing the LCA to shift around. To solve the problem, people are placing washers between the guard and the factory LCA mount to allow the bolt to firmly secure the LCA.

Ollie (K6JYB) wrote:I have seen where guys using the AP guards are having an issue with clunking. The guard is too wide and causing gabs (as Larry mentioned with the new beefier mounts) and that is causing the LCA to shift around. To solve the problem, people are placing washers between the guard and the factory LCA mount to allow the bolt to firmly secure the LCA.

I have the AP guards so I'll pull them and try the washers, thanks for that idea. Don't you agree that I still need a permanent solution to the wallowing of the bracket?

gon2srf wrote:

Ollie (K6JYB) wrote:I have seen where guys using the AP guards are having an issue with clunking. The guard is too wide and causing gabs (as Larry mentioned with the new beefier mounts) and that is causing the LCA to shift around. To solve the problem, people are placing washers between the guard and the factory LCA mount to allow the bolt to firmly secure the LCA.

I have the AP guards so I'll pull them and try the washers, thanks for that idea. Don't you agree that I still need a permanent solution to the wallowing of the bracket?

The permanent solution may be to weld supporting brackets around the existing mount to reinforce it. I have done that on mine, and so far no problems, and no washers....

cruiserlarry wrote:

gon2srf wrote:

Ollie (K6JYB) wrote:I have seen where guys using the AP guards are having an issue with clunking. The guard is too wide and causing gabs (as Larry mentioned with the new beefier mounts) and that is causing the LCA to shift around. To solve the problem, people are placing washers between the guard and the factory LCA mount to allow the bolt to firmly secure the LCA.

I have the AP guards so I'll pull them and try the washers, thanks for that idea. Don't you agree that I still need a permanent solution to the wallowing of the bracket?

The permanent solution may be to weld supporting brackets around the existing mount to reinforce it. I have done that on mine, and so far no problems, and no washers....

Have you taken any photos of your handy work Larry. I can envision what you have done but would like to see it. Did you use 1/8" inch steel plate for the reinforcement

gon2srf wrote:Have you taken any photos of your handy work Larry. I can envision what you have done but would like to see it. Did you use 1/8" inch steel plate for the reinforcement

No I haven't - but I'll see what I can do....

gon2srf wrote:
Have you taken any photos of your handy work Larry. I can envision what you have done but would like to see it. Did you use 1/8" inch steel plate for the reinforcement

I would suggest 3/16" at a minimum... My guards are fab'd out of 1/4".