Worth changing these Syncro Upper Control Arms?

[brutisbus]

A Front CV job has expanded to Upper control arm bushing replacement. Thank god for ball joint removal tool as these bushings in the cast synchro arms are stubborn to get off. The shop I had replace them 80K ago gouged them pretty well. (Gotta do it yourself) Worth spending$ for new arms or just press in the new ones and call it good?

[shagginwagon83]

Given the introduction of new billet UCAs, you might be able to find a used set in better condition. Or maybe consider upgrading to the ones linked above.
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Sodo]

With the advent of the new T3Technique Billet upper control arms Syncro owners are casting original
UCAs aside like spent condoms.

THESE are 2WD.
I could have sworn MarkG (here in WA) showed me a Syncro UCA set.
In his hot little hands.
And he was going to install them shortly.

But anyway, the above are 2WD
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[brutisbus]

Thanks, saw those, real spiffy, but can't justify the $, Old ones have been fine for 250K, got the "HEE HAH" going due to the lousy job done @ 60 K ago, never had that happen, and I've owned it since almost new. Since I'm in there I'll prolly spring for a new one. Putting in GW Bushings

[Sodo]

[Howesight]

Brutis, that inside diameter (ID) looks a bit damaged, but should easily accomodate the multi-piece upper control arm bushings that T-3 Technique sells:

https://t3technique.com/collections/front-suspensi...ushing-set

I have used them in a suspension rebuild done just months ago and the ease-of-installation was great. If the stainless inserts from T-3 are at all loose when you install them, then you can simply add some Loctite Stud'N Bearing mount. It's their product used to save assemblies with worn ID and it works really well. In the pic you see when opening the T-3 link above, you will see the parts that press (with a light press fit) into your UCA are gold in colour. If the press-fit seems to you to be too light, then add some loctite.

PS: They have re-named this product Loctite 271.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[ottoman308]

I have a set.

Aaron

[brutisbus]

Thanks for input! Found Syncro UCA in stock at Van Cafe. The GW 3 piece bushing pressed in with a vice perfectly (much easier than removal).

[Sodo]

When you install that UC Arm, the ball joint hole should be more to the front,
ahead of the shock tower.

If installed upside down, the CV axle will be about 1mm from the shock body.
And wheel alignment trouble too.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[dobryan]

Don't be like me.

Passenger side.

This is wrong.

After redoing it this is right.

_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[remraf]

I'm about to rebuild my front end and will be rebushing UCA's and new ball joints. Dobryan and Sodo, your posts seem to contradict one another?

[skemems]

[remraf]

Never mind I assumed dobryans first pic had front of van oriented to left. I see the rack now and get it.

[Christopher Schimke]

[brutisbus]

Orientation noted, thanks. Minor hiccup in install was I must of had the eccentric washers offset or something as there was was a lot of play fore/aft in the arm. I ordered SS washers but noticed they were thinner so installed the old ones back, worse, OK, take it all out and assemble on bench and measure with mic. Humm, seems OK with GW washers. This is what they recommended with the synchro and their UCA bushings. Put it back in and noted washer alignment, snug and perfect smooth action and no play. Go figure. As we used to say in a shop I worked at: "Just gotta be smarter than what you're working on!"