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UCA recommendations and advice.

Tom Hoshock
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Tom Hoshock Enthusiast

Tom Hoshock

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Looking for advice on UCA replacements for my 2019 Sierra SLE with X31. It is all stock as built including tires and @ 21,000 miles it started wandering slightly and when I had the oil changed the dealer said the camber is off on both front wheels. Before spending the money on an alignment, I would like to replace the Upper Control Arms with something better and hopefully greaseable. I do not want to go back to stock, what is recommended. I will be keeping it all stock, no lift kits or oversize tires or wheels.

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AJMBLAZER Enthusiast

AJMBLAZER

Posted
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It should align fine with the stock parts in that case.  Why not just have it aligned correctly?  The parts are installed at the factory in positions that in theory should be aligned but may not actually be 100% correct.

 

I'd personally have a good alignment shop do it.

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

Unless something is bent or the ball joints are worn, it sounds like a simple alignment issue here.

 

The caster/camber adjustment on these T1s is down on the lower control arms now, not the upper like the previous generation trucks were. 

 

IMO, again if nothing is bent, worn or loose, there is nothing to change especially since you are all stock up front (no lifts or levels), so just have it properly aligned.  

Edited by newdude
Tom Hoshock Enthusiast

Tom Hoshock

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I do plan to have an alignment shop look at it and align it. I have read so many horror stories about the UCA'S and ball joints going out so I was just looking for a recommendation on an upgraded replacement if mine are worn. If they need to be replaced, I will not replace them with factory parts, they should not need to be replaced in 20,000 miles. As far as I am concerned the X31 package is a joke. If we treated these trucks like you see in some of the latest TV commercials from Chevy, the front suspension would collapse. So now can someone recommend a good replacement that will last?

AJMBLAZER Enthusiast

AJMBLAZER

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I'd still wager there's nothing wrong with yours.  The alignment is just off.

 

Moogs are usually better but no idea if they're greaseable or not.

Yotaman Enthusiast

Yotaman

Posted
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Moog problem solver series are greaseable. I replaced both my upper and lower when my Tire shop showed me some slop in the lower ones. GM uses the cheapest suspension parts they can find on these trucks. Check on Rockauto

 

Yotaman

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Tom Hoshock said:

I do plan to have an alignment shop look at it and align it. I have read so many horror stories about the UCA'S and ball joints going out so I was just looking for a recommendation on an upgraded replacement if mine are worn. 

 

 

Those horror stories 99.9% of them are on leveled and lifted trucks both regular 4x4/Z71/X31 and on Trail Boss/AT4.  The arms end up placed at their limit on the road and then over the limit when the suspension is traveling.  

 

The only arms we've replaced so far in the field are on leveled trucks on these newer T1's.  One was a full failure of the ball joint and CV axle.  No stock T1 trucks that I've seen have received upper arms yet.

 

Just seems like making a mountain out of a molehill here for a 100% stock truck that's just out of alignment a bit.  

Edited by newdude
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newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

As far as "upgrades", a quick trip on Rock Auto shows Rancho having a UCA but they are for leveled/lifted trucks or stock AT4/Trail Boss and are not greaseable so they would just have a corrected angle for the ball joint mobility/UCA travel.

 

Mevotech makes upper arms but I wouldn't call Mevotech an "upgrade" other than the fact it has a grease fitting in the ball joint which, big deal.  

 

Moog does not offer a UCA yet.  

Edited by newdude

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