RidgeRunner
June 27th, 2009, 09:27 PM
I finally got a chance to do a couple things on the XJ today. On the list were: Replace the UCA bushings and box in the passenger UCA mount.
I was going to do a tech write-up of the bushing replacement because I have heard that they can be a pain and I couldn't find any good how-tos. Well....a few wacks of the hammer and mine popped right out and the new ones went right in, so.....no pics and no write-up. Oh well.
On to the (mini) build.
The passenger UCA on the D30s are a weak point to say the least. I have seen several fold like a taco under hard wheelin'. I noticed that mine had started to bend a little and deciced it was time to beef it up a bit. Here was mine this morning, stock:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040542.jpg
I cut a couple pieces of plate to box in the front, I had some 1/8" laying around, now I'm thinkin' I shoulda used 3/16"....too late.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040544.jpg
I welded the small piece inside the mount about 3/8" under the bushing to add some support inside.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040545.jpg
I tacked the front piece in place and bent the top around to follow the top of the mount.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040548.jpg
Then I burned it home and cleaned it up with a wire wheel, ready for paint and a new bushing.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040549.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040551.jpg
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. We'll see how it holds up!
I was going to do a tech write-up of the bushing replacement because I have heard that they can be a pain and I couldn't find any good how-tos. Well....a few wacks of the hammer and mine popped right out and the new ones went right in, so.....no pics and no write-up. Oh well.
On to the (mini) build.
The passenger UCA on the D30s are a weak point to say the least. I have seen several fold like a taco under hard wheelin'. I noticed that mine had started to bend a little and deciced it was time to beef it up a bit. Here was mine this morning, stock:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040542.jpg
I cut a couple pieces of plate to box in the front, I had some 1/8" laying around, now I'm thinkin' I shoulda used 3/16"....too late.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040544.jpg
I welded the small piece inside the mount about 3/8" under the bushing to add some support inside.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040545.jpg
I tacked the front piece in place and bent the top around to follow the top of the mount.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040548.jpg
Then I burned it home and cleaned it up with a wire wheel, ready for paint and a new bushing.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040549.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/ridgerunnerxj/P1040551.jpg
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. We'll see how it holds up!