UCA Zerk Fittings!!!

OK used the search feature but couldn't find any pics of the Zerk fittings on a Calmini UCA. Ive had the lift for about a month and noises are already starting, not that i really care but if there is a way to stop it i will do it. Ive got some information such as drilling, tapping, etc but need some tips on where to put them how to actually do the work or should i have a shop do it??? Sorry if i didn't use the search feature very well but the search feature does kinda suck!!! Oh well thanks alot all.

Tim

They're not that difficult to install. You will have to take the A arms off to do it.

One with the new Calmini arms.



One with the old style Calmini A arms.

so basically take off the arms drill the holes tap them for the zerks screw them in and put it all back together??? sounds easy enough to me. thanks alot.

Tim

Yep, that's about it.

Do the new ones from Calmini come with zerk fittings?

You should be able to drill and tap them on the vehicle. We did my SLR ones that way.

Ian... How do you like the SLR ones??

I threw that kit in the trash 3 years ago.

Ian,

doing the work without taking off the arm sounds alot better than taking it all apart. i think ill try that. thanks.

Tim

So what are you using now???

Raise your hand if you know the answer to that question without even having to be told...

(my hand's up

Great - thats one... what's the answer...

I am planning on ordering a set of UCA's and want to know some opinions....

Only one real option in my mind.... Calmini

Other than a little squeaking now and then, there has been no real issues!

Personally I think it's better to take them off. It's easier to drill the holes and thread them. There were a bunch of metal shavings that would have stayed in had I not cleaned them out. I don't know if you've ever tapped a hole but it needs to be done right. To me it just made sense to take them off. I had to change out the crappy bushings anyway.

Which UCA's are you running????

Calmini. The squeaky ones.

Thanks for your reply Dana....

Too many choices... Not that it's a bad thing...

Hey I still owe you guys a bunch of stickers. Sorry, I've been slacking off. Then I had knee surgery that's kept off work for a few weeks. I'll try to get back on top of them real soon.

Before I jump into adding Zerks to my UCA's, I just wanted to check with those that have already done so to see how it’s been working out so far. Has anybody experienced problems with cracking? Has the modification resolved the squeaking issue?

Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

It helps. Make sure the zerks don't stick out through, into the bushing. File off the ends or use lock washers or something depending on your application.

I find I need to grease mine more than I would like to, but my dad always told me, "grease is cheap but parts are expensive."

Hope that helps.

-Jeremy

Not to hijack this thread, but this is kinda related. Would it be reasonable/feasible to add zerk fittings to a stock idler arm as a means of greasing it periodically?

brian

*Bump*

I plan on doing this mod Monday. Any last minute advice would be appreciated. I would also like to hear from some of the folks that have done this mod to see if they are happy with the results, or if they think I shouldn't bother with it.

Also read on here about someone dremeling channels into the bushings to help distribute the grease. Is this working out??

Thanks again...

RX

I have the SLR UCA's...never a problem, and, they never squeeked....been great.

They came with the zerks already, plus the SLR ball joints are the better quality than the ones Calmini was using.

I think 3 years ago or something the SLR UCA's original design had alignment issues...but they fixed them with the next generation...and mine (next gen) aligned first time w/o any problems.

I did send my Calmini UCA's back to get the SLR UCA's as the SLR UCA's allow a bit more wheel travel.



If you are putting in new UCA's....

Get a spare set of camber bolts...alot of them rust weld in place, and end up getting cut off to replace them....if you have the spares on hand...it saves a lot of time trying to get them from the dealer over a weekend, etc.

I hit everything with nut blaster a few weeks ahead of time, and mine came out nice and whole...so alot of pre-treatment with penetrating oil is a good idea. (Same with the T-bars, shackles, etc...hit them early...give it time to work.)

I left my UCAs on and drilled the zerk holes. Just drilled until plastic shavings came up. Pressed the fittings in place. Added grease. No more squeaking even after 2 months and goneMoab.

Thanks folks for your replies... Hopefully by this time tomorrow my Calmini UCA's will be Zerked.

RX