Notices
5.0L GT Modifications Placeholder for future motor based GT's modifications.

Upper control arm opinions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 1/21/18, 10:37 AM
  #1  
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr. V's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Upper control arm opinions

My upper control arm is starting to squeak. It's come loose before and I simply tightened it back up. I'm not sure why it comes loose. I'm thinking about simply upgrading it. I have a stock ucr now. I never changed it out of fear of sound issues. I changed my sways, , lca, and springs and struts with little to no effect on Sound. I'm thinking of going with Roush uca. I'm hoping someone has used that unit or can suggest other options. No increases noise is my primary concern
Old 1/21/18, 05:06 PM
  #2  
EF1
Mach 1 Member
 
EF1's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 17, 2013
Posts: 830
Received 132 Likes on 118 Posts
I have the Steeda adjustable uca with urethane bushings on both ends and haven't noticed any additional nvh.
The following users liked this post:
tj@steeda (1/26/18)
Old 1/22/18, 05:11 PM
  #3  
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr. V's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by EF1
I have the Steeda adjustable uca with urethane bushings on both ends and haven't noticed any additional nvh.
How long have you had it? I am considering the non adjustable steeda
Old 1/22/18, 05:54 PM
  #4  
EF1
Mach 1 Member
 
EF1's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 17, 2013
Posts: 830
Received 132 Likes on 118 Posts
I installed around 3 years ago.
The following users liked this post:
tj@steeda (1/26/18)
Old 1/22/18, 10:14 PM
  #5  
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr. V's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by EF1
I installed around 3 years ago.
Thank you! You've put this part on my list. Does anyone else have experience with a ucr that they would recommend?
Old 1/23/18, 06:40 PM
  #6  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Cavero's Avatar
 
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Posts: 2,459
Received 114 Likes on 88 Posts
I have the Steeda UCA. I noticed a little more NVH, basically a very light "hiss" from the differential, going down smooth roads with the windows up and the radio off. It was pretty easy to forget about though. I've had mine since 2008 and it's given me zero problems.

Before you go buying a new UCA though, why not try some blue locktite on the bolt?
Old 1/23/18, 07:58 PM
  #7  
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr. V's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Cavero
I have the Steeda UCA. I noticed a little more NVH, basically a very light "hiss" from the differential, going down smooth roads with the windows up and the radio off. It was pretty easy to forget about though. I've had mine since 2008 and it's given me zero problems.

Before you go buying a new UCA though, why not try some blue locktite on the bolt?
I did try some loctite last time. I've had to tighten it twice in the last 5 years. I was thinking maybe lowering it had some effect on it or it might be defective. I haven't read about many folks having the same issue. I don't want to have to keep tightening it. If going after market doesn't fix the problem, maybe I'll stay with the stock
Old 1/24/18, 07:12 AM
  #8  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Cavero's Avatar
 
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Posts: 2,459
Received 114 Likes on 88 Posts
My next thought would be replacing the nut & bolt. The bolt could be stretching.

There was an ok thread on allfordmustangs about why Ford considers suspension bolts to be one-time use only. The last reply was kind of interesting, saying that GM and Ford purposely mismatch the threads on the nut vs the bolt (slightly) to be a cheap alternative to locktite. Pretty quick read:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...uspension.html
Old 1/24/18, 07:17 AM
  #9  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Cavero's Avatar
 
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Posts: 2,459
Received 114 Likes on 88 Posts
Another thought is that tascaparts shows those nuts as having nylon inserts -- those are only good for one or two uses. Then the nylon starts losing its holding ability
Old 1/25/18, 05:57 AM
  #10  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Gabe's Avatar
 
Join Date: August 7, 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 5,265
Received 537 Likes on 420 Posts
I have the beefy BMR adjustable upper arm, the pics don't do it justice.
I replaced a non-adjustable Steeda unit which looked tiny in comparison.
As soon as I put it in I remember the rear-end feeling a little more controlled, a little firmer on launches.
I like it and would recommend it.
I also installed the BMR mount at the same time.
Old 1/25/18, 06:45 AM
  #11  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Bert's Avatar
 
Join Date: January 25, 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,758
Received 1,496 Likes on 1,020 Posts
I don't have any specific recommendations, but something to think about while your on this topic:

If the car will see any road track use, the upper control arm needs to allow some rotation so the axle can articulate a bit as the suspension travels or when one wheel hits a bump and the other doesn't. If the UCA is too rigid it can cause binding with bad results.

I think there are some that have a joint in them to allow rotation but don't recall the make/model right now . . .
Old 1/26/18, 07:02 AM
  #12  
Mach 1 Member
 
Rog13GTCS's Avatar
 
Join Date: April 3, 2012
Location: Indy
Posts: 970
Received 144 Likes on 109 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr. V
I did try some loctite last time. I've had to tighten it twice in the last 5 years. I was thinking maybe lowering it had some effect on it or it might be defective. I haven't read about many folks having the same issue. I don't want to have to keep tightening it. If going after market doesn't fix the problem, maybe I'll stay with the stock
Is it the bolt inside the cabin under the rear seat? Or the bolts under the car?
Old 1/26/18, 08:02 AM
  #13  
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr. V's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Rog13GTCS
Is it the bolt inside the cabin under the rear seat? Or the bolts under the car?
Under the car.
Old 1/26/18, 01:52 PM
  #14  
Legacy TMS Member
 
Cavero's Avatar
 
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Posts: 2,459
Received 114 Likes on 88 Posts
Originally Posted by Bert
I don't have any specific recommendations, but something to think about while your on this topic:

If the car will see any road track use, the upper control arm needs to allow some rotation so the axle can articulate a bit as the suspension travels or when one wheel hits a bump and the other doesn't. If the UCA is too rigid it can cause binding with bad results.

I think there are some that have a joint in them to allow rotation but don't recall the make/model right now . . .
I remember Ford saying when the S197 came out that's why the stock bushing on the UCA is so soft, to allow some articulation in the axle.

IIRC, Steeda's adjustable UCA is one of the ones that have that articulation point (but the standard UCA doesn't)
Old 1/26/18, 07:51 PM
  #15  
Shelby GT350 Member
 
tj@steeda's Avatar
 
Join Date: July 16, 2011
Posts: 2,040
Received 52 Likes on 47 Posts
Some good reviews here on AM's website:

https://www.americanmuscle.com/steed...-uca-1113.html

TJ
Old 1/27/18, 11:57 AM
  #16  
Legacy TMS Member
 
dusman59's Avatar
 
Join Date: February 16, 2011
Location: Mesa Arizona
Posts: 221
Received 29 Likes on 24 Posts
I have done plenty of very hard cornering and have had zero problems with the Steeda UCA. I would suggest changing the mount as well for full benefit.
Old 1/28/18, 04:01 PM
  #17  
Bullitt Member
 
5LHO's Avatar
 
Join Date: December 28, 2011
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
I've had both the Roush and the Steeda. The Roush was absolutely no NVH. The Steeda has some slight NVH, mainly transmitting sounds of clunking 2 piece DS more.

The Roush piece in my stick 2012 MGT, in concert with UMI poly lowers and a slick tire, 1.6 60s on the otherwise stock BBP suspension. N/A, tune only, 11.91 at 115.

The Steeda piece does about the same, on the same suspension, although my new car is a 14 auto with 100 nitrous assist. Good for 11.3 at 120.6.

So, I can heartily recommend both your choices.
Old 2/19/18, 12:50 PM
  #18  
Mach 1 Member
 
Ponywars's Avatar
 
Join Date: September 15, 2012
Location: Orange County NY
Posts: 500
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
i have a roush uca in my 12 gt and it completely got rid of wheel hop and zero nvh over stock!!!!!!!!!!!
Old 2/21/18, 11:57 AM
  #19  
GT Member
 
scott9050's Avatar
 
Join Date: April 9, 2014
Posts: 127
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gabe
I have the beefy BMR adjustable upper arm, the pics don't do it justice.
I replaced a non-adjustable Steeda unit which looked tiny in comparison.
As soon as I put it in I remember the rear-end feeling a little more controlled, a little firmer on launches.
I like it and would recommend it.
I also installed the BMR mount at the same time.
I have the same and can agree with your assessment as well. Quality piece and much better driving characteristics.
Old 5/1/18, 02:53 PM
  #20  
Member
 
759Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: April 23, 2018
Posts: 47
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
What about the diff bushing? I am not super impressed with the poly units, but they seem adequate.

I am liking the Steeda unit. $90, and it offers rotations. Seems like this combined with a poly bushing on the UCA would bind less.

Experience?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MaverickMLFD371
GT Performance Mods
2
12/28/05 03:28 PM
O5GT
GT Performance Mods
8
5/26/05 01:54 PM



Quick Reply: Upper control arm opinions



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:12 AM.