Toytec lift woes....

estysalinas · 03-12-2008, 10:53 AM

Hey Guys,
I posted a response to a UCA/Spring issue in the suspension forum but i think that thread is pretty much dead. So i figured i would ask some of the norcal folks :-) for advice!

Issue: On the driver side the UCA hits the spring at full decompression/unload. Any time i'm going over a larger bump i get a nasty thunk sound. I had the shop who installed the lift readjust the coils so they are all indexed twords the end of the vehicle, and it fixed the issue on the passanger side but moved it to the driver side (comedy of errors...yes), where my problem lies now.

Other notes:
*Coils are indexed correctly - bottom of the coil faces rear of vehicle.
*Sway Bar is not hitting, clears fine
*Shocks are appropriate for lift (OME N140S Front shocks)

Here are my options as i see them:

1. Index the driver side coil incorrectly so that it doesn't hit (not thrilled about this idea).
2. Wait to see if the spring settling changes anything (risking more dmg to the spring/UCA)
3. Live with the clunk (and have it slowly eat away at my UCA and spring)

Non Option at the moment: Get new UCAs

Any other ideas??, starting to look like a flawed lift design in my mind but I'm willing to listen to other ideas....
******************************
Front: OME 885s with ToyTec Spacer
Rear: ToyTec Springs
OME shock front and rear
******************************

Thanks for the help!
__________________

daPitbull · 03-12-2008, 10:59 AM

Try contacting Toytec. Maybe the springs are flawed and they'll probably send replacements. Could also be the shock length. Did you check to see the shocks installed are correct for the application. I've see tons of pictures of the clocking on the forum. Have you compared your set-up to those?

Garsgrl · 03-12-2008, 11:02 AM

I've got the Toytec and there are no probs. So, it should either be installation error or the wrong application. Good advice pit!

**JoeUser** · 03-12-2008, 11:06 AM

If I remember correctly, the clocking of the coil spring should be such that the end of the spring should be facing the frame (toward the engine).

Double-check to make sure that the sway bar is 1) centered, and 2) not striking the spring and/or lower spring cup during compression (there's not a whole lot of clearance, even when the sway bar is centered)...

With so many successful installations out there, it would seem that the problem may be installation-related...

estysalinas · 03-12-2008, 11:28 AM

Good tips guys.
- I have verified the shocks are appropiate
- Coils are indexed correctly (end of spring faces rear of vehicle)
- Sway bar is centered and clears

I'll try calling Toytec later today and see what they say.

SupraTuRD · 03-12-2008, 12:27 PM

Are you sure the UCA is coming in contact with the coil spring? Do you see paint coming off either component where they come in contact? I would also double check to make sure everything is tight. There was a case not too long ago where the shop forgot to tighten the two big bolts at the lower control arm/ball joint.

estysalinas · 03-12-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

Are you sure the UCA is coming in contact with the coil spring? Do you see paint coming off either component where they come in contact? I would also double check to make sure everything is tight. There was a case not too long ago where the shop forgot to tighten the two big bolts at the lower control arm/ball joint.

Yes i see the paint coming off both the spring and the UCA. I'll check the torque tonight but it is defenitly the UCA hiting the spring.

Thanks for the inputs!

bandi · 03-12-2008, 01:44 PM

I really did not think that the Stock UCA could
make contact with the spring due to the ball
joint limits... I would lov to see some images of
this, maybe jack the FJ up, put it on jack stands
at the frame and let the front suspension hang,
then take some shots... Picts would be a good
idea for people here to help trouble shoot it for
you...

SupraTuRD · 03-12-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

estysalinas previously said:

Yes i see the paint coming off both the spring and the UCA. I'll check the torque tonight but it is defenitly the UCA hiting the spring.

Thanks for the inputs!

Also, just to confirm, there are no "spacers" from a previous lift in there right? The OME shocks do allow for more droop than stock shocks... perhaps that combined with the factory tolerances of the upper control arm may be causing this interference. The UCS's are stamped, there may be some variations from one arm to another.

Garsgrl · 03-12-2008, 01:56 PM

Are you using the 0.5 in toytec spacer? With the OME lift the front struts are 0.5in longer then the stock struts. So, the spacer isn't needed. However, u can install the 5mm or 10mm trim packer if needed. Maybe the spacer is the prob.