Rokmen Pro Series Upper Control Arm Install

This weekend I switched out my SPC UCAs for a new set from Rokmen Off Road. I purchased mine from Red Dirt Offroad and @tgormtx cut me a good deal.

I tried to document the whole install process so anyone coming after has some good info to work from. Toyota Cruisers and Trucks magazine did an article about installation which was a good starting part. There wasn't any instructions included in my box but a call to Jeff at Rokmen solved that.

There are already a few good how-to's on removing the stock UCAs so I skipped that part. I recommend the ones from @SILVER06TRD https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/total-chaos-uca-how-to-install.14507/ and @West450 https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-replace-install-05-cv-axles-lca’s-spc-uca’s-ecgs-bushing-toytec-coils.517548/

Tools Required
1 1/4" wrench or Large adjustable wrench for jam nuts
19mm socket and wrench for UCA bolts
11mm Hex key for uniball bolt
7/8" or 22mm socket for the nut on the uniball bolt
9/64" hex for uniball caps
5/32" hex for abs sensor wire bracket
Ft-lbs Torque wrench

Materials
Anti-Sieze Lubricant

The 11mm hex was hard to find, Lowe's and Harbor Freight don't sell one, I ended up getting a impact kit from Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...t-Socket-Set-MM-7-Piece-H2DMMHBI7PC/206034117


I bought new OEM Toyota Upper Control Arm bolts and nuts to replace the ones that had been on my truck for 86k miles.
Opening the box the arms are very well packed in cut out foam

The top layer has the following:
4 sets of alignment spacers, 1 for each rod end
2 dust caps for the uniballs
4 jam nuts for the rod ends
1 rod end alignment tool
2 oz. bottle Tri-Flow dry lubricant
4 rubber rod end boots
grade 8 washers for UCA bolts, should have been 4 I only got 2
2 O-rings and 6 hex bolts for dust caps
tool for installation of rubber boots


The bottom layer has the following:
2 Arms
4 F.K. Bearings Teflon lined 3/4" Rod Ends
2 uniball adapters consisting of 9/16" Grade 9 bolt, small uniball top adapter, tapered uniball adapter, grade 8 9/16" washer, 9/16" grade 8 nylock nut

 

Installation

1. Park vehicle on level surface. Remove only 1 UCA at a time according to factory instructions.

I was taking care of some other maintenance so my truck had a few more components than just the UCAs removed, but there is no need to remove more than just the UCAs.


2. Prep the UCA’s by installing the ¾” jam nuts on the rod ends until they are screwed on completely.


Place some antiseize on the exposed rod end threads.


Screw the rod ends all the way into the UCA’s until they are fully seated.


3. Back the rod end out of the UCA up to ½ turn or until the rod end is vertical with the UCA as if it is ready to mount into the vehicle. Then turn the rod end out an additional full 360 degree turn. This is the standard mounting position for the rod ends.


4. Bench tighten the rod end jam nuts using the stock frame mounting bolt, two rod end spacers, and the rod end alignment tube. Do this by placing two large rod end spacers on the outside of the UCA rod ends then install the bolt through the rod ends and through the centering tube between the rod ends and tightening with the nut. This will hold the rod ends in parallel alignment with each other.


Now tighten the rod end jam nuts then remove the tool.


5. We recommend prelubing the rod ends and uniball at this time. Place some of the included tri-flow lube on the balls and articulate them around. Only a light amount of lube is needed. The balls may be tight due to them being new and the quality of the teflon liners. You may need a large screwdriver to assist in moving the balls around.

6. Install the rod end rubber boots using the included tool. Placing a little lube around the body of the rod end to help it slide into the boot.


Then consult the included alignment worksheet to identify the standard position of the rod end spacers.


Again use the tool to hold the boot open install the appropriate rod end spacers into the rod end.


7. Install the UCA onto the frame. Make sure to use the correct rod end spacers and order according to the standard position on the alignment worksheet. Use the new grade 8 washers between the bolt head and insert and nut and insert.


8. Install the uniball tie rod adapters into the uniball. The small spacer goes on top and the large tapered spacer goes on bottom sticking down from the uniball. Install the tapered end into the stock knuckle and connect it all by running the bolt down from the top of the uniball. The order goes - bolt, small uniball top adapter, uniball, tapered uniball adapter, stock steering knuckle, included washer, then nylock nut. Tighten the bolt and nulock nut to 95 foot pounds. You may need to use a large screwdriver to help align the uniball so everything goes together smoothly.

This was one of the more difficult parts, the uniball is very tight and didn't want to adjust to align with the top of the spindle. The tolerances on the adapters are very narrow so you have to be basically perfect to get the bolt to drop all the way through the spindle.


9. Install the dust cap by first placing the o-ring onto the bottom protrusion of the dust cover. Then attach to the top of the uniball cup using the 3 included stainless bolts. Place some antiseize on the bolt threads before installing.

10. Re-attach your abs sensor wire to the new UCA. Again place a small amount of antiseize on the threads.

 

I'll update this with my impressions from driving after I get an alignment.