FJ Cruisers of Northern California

SAW install

I received my new set of SAW's and was wondering if any one had any tips on the install as well as the install of the TC UCA's.

I will have a set of 5100's for sale after this install. They have about 10.000 on them.

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Permalink Reply by cypilk on March 22, 2011 at 10:29pm

The install is straight forward. I've done them dozens of times, so if you have any questions, let me know.

As far as tips, make sure the bottom part of the uni-ball and the knuckle (spindle gusset) sit flush when you tighten them together. You may need to use a small jack to lift up the assembly to achieve this. If you don't do this, it doesn't matter too much, but then you would have to use a lot more muscle trying to tighten that bolt.

That's all I could come up with off the top of my head.

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Permalink Reply by potatomutato on March 23, 2011 at 5:57am

good tip, Hoff!

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Permalink Reply by PRS TiFJ on March 23, 2011 at 7:56am

Not a problem with the TCs. They are not a preloaded rubber bushing like the stock UCAs. The are a poly bushing that moves freely up and down. It doesnt lock in a preloaded position like the stockers/LRs. When i say freely, they are movable up and down, it still takes a little force. either way, with the TCs you have a uniball with a bolt head on the top and they are easily pulled together by wrenching on them. A big no no with the stockers. I tend to torque the uniball first then torque the bolt holding the UCA to the frame. This allows very easy movement of the UCA. Just remember if you ever do this with Stockers or LR UCAs you will have to preload the suspension before torquing the UCA to Frame bolt.

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Permalink Reply by Bz on March 23, 2011 at 1:09am

if you wanna stop by the shop I can help out and give ya some pointers....

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on March 23, 2011 at 11:34am

Keep a close watch on the misalignment spacers on the uniball. They can move out of place when you are tightening the nut/bolt.
I use antisieze and torque to spec.

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on March 23, 2011 at 11:36am

Lock nut or double nut long uca bolt

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Permalink Reply by USA4X4 on March 25, 2011 at 8:51pm

Just wondering, but have you had problems with the "C" nut working loose?

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on March 23, 2011 at 11:43am

Use some caution and be aware of your break lines. There can be a lot of tension on the break lines when you have evrything disassembled, so just be mindful of it.

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Permalink Reply by USA4X4 on March 23, 2011 at 6:20pm

Thanks for the tips and offers for advice and help. Now, as soon as it stops raining maybe I can get these things on!

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Permalink Reply by USA4X4 on March 27, 2011 at 5:52pm

Well it was a beautiful day on the central coast today so I got busy and installed my rear SAW's. Can't wait to get the fronts done (during the week after work). The improvement in the rear over the Bil 5100's is like night and day.

I agonized over the price of this upgrade for a while, but now see that it is well worth it.

Next question is do I really need the sway bars?

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Permalink Reply by Bz on March 27, 2011 at 6:32pm

yes, you do.

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Permalink Reply by USA4X4 on March 27, 2011 at 6:56pm

I have been wondering about the sway bars...in the blue room there is a group that says the fj is fine without because of the much heavier spring rates as compared to stock.

What do you think?