ball joint spacer install

wailukutoy · 03-13-2006, 05:38 PM

Hi everyone, Im new to this forum and have been looking through it day and night. I think its a great forum. Anyway, I have noticed that many people in here seem to take a liking to the bj spacers to get a little lift in the front. I am highly interested in doing this to my 94 4x4 pickup. I don't have any tools to cut the uca and called my 4wheel shop here to see if they could install it for me. They had no idea what it was, along with every other suspension shop, and said they wouldn't do it. I read on another thread about shaving the spacer to fit, instead of cutting the uca. It got no responses and I was wondering if that would be possible to have a shop grind down the spacer, so I could install it myself. Thanks for the help. Sorry for the long post.

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Cebby · 03-13-2006, 05:55 PM

You can rent a grinder cheap. No need to buy if you won't need it.

I remember reading about that a while back also (shaving the spacer), but don't remember who.

wailukutoy · 03-13-2006, 05:58 PM

I would definitely rather cut the spacer, than the uca. Would that be ok?

BeaterToyota · 03-13-2006, 06:52 PM

I ground out the UCA a bit to make mine work. When you do this, you're not really getting rid of anything structural, you're just enlarging the opeing that's already there. I would go that route rather than shaving the spacer.

You should be able to rent a grinder pretty cheap from an equipment rental place, but why not buy a cheap one and then you have it for next time you need it? You will need it some other time, and you'll be glad you have it sitting around.

celica · 03-13-2006, 08:10 PM

I looked at shaving the spacer when I did mine but you would end up taking too much off & ruining the integrety of it. I ground down my UCA instead. You can get a grinder for $20. Well worth the investment. I use mine all the time to cut off ald rusy bolts, etc.

wailukutoy · 03-14-2006, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the input. Is it that easy to do it yourself? I have little mechanical skills and tools. It seems pretty straight forward, but I am afraid of messing anything up like the shafts, and having problems with binding like some other guy on the forum did. How hard is it really, for someone with little experience and tools? Thanks everyone, appreciate the help.

celica · 03-14-2006, 10:11 AM

Don't worry about the binding - that was the only case I have ever heard of. It is fairly easy to do. follow the instructions & just be carful not to pull your cv shaft apart. other than that it was pretty easy. You will need an alighnment after - it will look like Daffy Duck & be really squirly on the road until you get it aligned

NRM · 03-14-2006, 11:25 AM

i had never used a grinder for anything before and when i installed my bj spacers i rented one and easily ground down the UCA. all you have to do is put the spacer where its supposed to go and see how much you have to take off. the whole job took a few hours, not a big deal. and everyone on the board is always here to help if you get stuck halfway through the job!!

slosurfer · 03-14-2006, 07:15 PM

The grinding is the easy part, finding out how to raise the uca high enough was the hard part for me. I would definately buy a grinder rather than rent one, you will be surprised how much you use it. One tip if you get a 4.5 in. grinder, go ahead and use a 4 in. cutting wheel. I have a 4.5 in. grinder and used the 4.5 in. wheel and the first side was real tight getting it in there. The next side was easier because the wheel had worn down a little bit.

I am the one that had the binding problem. I am still not sure what the problem was, but once I had it aligned it fixed the problem. Something was way off on my driverside and the whole wheel was closer to the diff. than it was supposed to be, causing the angle to be greater than it should have been. It wasn't drooping any further than the pass. side, just the angle was greater for some reason. Anyways, I am completely happy with them and have had them offroad about every weekend since. Also, having all the help from everyone here was awesome. I also know a little more about my front end, which is always helpful.

wailukutoy · 03-14-2006, 08:46 PM

Thanks everyone this is really helpful to me and I am grateful for the input. I went to my auto shop today and looked at buying a tool to do the trimming. The install suggests an angle grinder or cut off wheel to do this. What would be better, or is there no advantage of one over the other. The angle ginder was $20 and the cutting wheel was $40. I don't mind spending the extra money if the cutting wheel would be that much more worth it, or is it not? Thanks again.

**Tofer** · 03-14-2006, 08:49 PM

i picked up a $30 Ryobi 4" angle grinder when i installed mine. i have used it more times then i thought i would ever would when i bought it.. well worht the 30 bucks i spent.

wailukutoy · 03-14-2006, 09:10 PM

With such a great solution to cranking T bars for a little lift, why are the spacers not a common thing? THe shops here in HI had no idea what they were, is it just this state or are they not common at all. One more quest. Would installing the spacers to obtain a 15" rim/fender limit cause the same increased angles on all suspension parts, such as the cv joints, as cranking the T bars to a 15" limit, or would does it not work out that way.

tc · 03-15-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wailukutoy

Would installing the spacers to obtain a 15" rim/fender limit cause the same increased angles on all suspension parts, such as the cv joints, as cranking the T bars to a 15" limit

Yep. Inside of CV is still attached to the frame and outside of the CV is still attached to the wheel.

BeaterToyota · 03-15-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wailukutoy

With such a great solution to cranking T bars for a little lift, why are the spacers not a common thing? THe shops here in HI had no idea what they were, is it just this state or are they not common at all. One more quest.

They were developed by some guys on 4x4Wire (and YotaTech) in the summer of '03. Basically not many people outside of these two message boards are all that familiar with them. Click here for the original, and ultimate, ball joint spacer thread from 4x4Wire.

V_Runner · 03-16-2006, 03:24 AM

anybody got pics. of where the BJ spacers go???

PAhydrohead · 03-16-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slosurfer

The grinding is the easy part, finding out how to raise the uca high enough was the hard part for me....

I'll second that!! I used my bottle jack but it took a little while to figure out where to shoe horn it in there.

A grinding wheel shouldn't be $40!

That's more like a diamond tipped masonry blade. Check out this link. This is similar to what you want to buy http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...691624&ccitem=

BLKNBLU · 03-16-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V_Runner

anybody got pics. of where the BJ spacers go???

Here ya go

Pics start at post #17
http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=58081
and here's a link to another set of pics
http://sonoransteel.com/san_diego_of...olutions_.html

gsi23 · 03-18-2006, 09:36 PM

did you go to maui offroad for the work. There's a couple better guys down there that do thier own work. And know what they are doing.

wailukutoy · 03-19-2006, 12:09 AM

I actually called maui off road, and 4wheel parts on Oahu. Who would you recommend?

Teuf · 06-13-2009, 05:55 PM

i may get a set of 1" spacers, and then back of the torsion bar for 1 inch less to retain my current height, i have a 3 inch rancho lift n heavy duty tb

4banginRunner · 06-13-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teuf

i may get a set of 1" spacers, and then back of the torsion bar for 1 inch less to retain my current height, i have a 3 inch rancho lift n heavy duty tb

whats with all the 3yo thread bumps today?

scuba · 06-13-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4banginRunner

whats with all the 3yo thread bumps today?

Dude thats honestly been happening almost every day since 1/01/09..

89silverpu · 06-13-2009, 08:29 PM

At least the newbs are searching

Junkers88 · 06-13-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89silverpu

At least the newbs are searching

Christ it's about time.

I for one never really get tired of Scuba yelling "SEARCH!!!!" but I'll bet the new guys do.

4banginRunner · 06-13-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89silverpu

At least the newbs are searching

This is true!...just like 14 bumped dead threads in one day though... haha

We were all newbs once...SEARCH FTW!

03-13-2006, 05:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cebby Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,246	You can rent a grinder cheap. No need to buy if you won't need it. I remember reading about that a while back also (shaving the spacer), but don't remember who. __________________ UZswap.com A site dedicated to sharing info for swapping the Toyota/ Lexus UZ (V8) engines into Toyota Trucks and 4Runners. My 4Runner 1993 4Runner, 1UZ (V8) auto dual ultimate crawler, double locked, 35's on beadlocked SR5 alloys, low lift, hacked fenders, tubbed firewall, custom armor TOOLandFAB.com A discussion forum dedicated to tools, fabrication & workshops. See my JD2 Bender Hydro Conversion BUY THIS 2008 CALENDAR

03-13-2006, 06:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
BeaterToyota Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Warrenton, VA Posts: 644	I ground out the UCA a bit to make mine work. When you do this, you're not really getting rid of anything structural, you're just enlarging the opeing that's already there. I would go that route rather than shaving the spacer. You should be able to rent a grinder pretty cheap from an equipment rental place, but why not buy a cheap one and then you have it for next time you need it? You will need it some other time, and you'll be glad you have it sitting around. __________________ Click here to buy rock crawling stickers and shirts

03-13-2006, 08:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
celica Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, AB Canada Posts: 1,773	I looked at shaving the spacer when I did mine but you would end up taking too much off & ruining the integrety of it. I ground down my UCA instead. You can get a grinder for $20. Well worth the investment. I use mine all the time to cut off ald rusy bolts, etc. __________________ Matt 2003 4-Runner Limited - Couldn't stay away from the runner 2003 Sequoia Limited 1989 Supra Turbo 1992 4r, 5spd V6 Sold

03-14-2006, 10:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
celica Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, AB Canada Posts: 1,773	Don't worry about the binding - that was the only case I have ever heard of. It is fairly easy to do. follow the instructions & just be carful not to pull your cv shaft apart. other than that it was pretty easy. You will need an alighnment after - it will look like Daffy Duck & be really squirly on the road until you get it aligned __________________ Matt 2003 4-Runner Limited - Couldn't stay away from the runner 2003 Sequoia Limited 1989 Supra Turbo 1992 4r, 5spd V6 Sold

03-14-2006, 11:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
NRM Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 271	i had never used a grinder for anything before and when i installed my bj spacers i rented one and easily ground down the UCA. all you have to do is put the spacer where its supposed to go and see how much you have to take off. the whole job took a few hours, not a big deal. and everyone on the board is always here to help if you get stuck halfway through the job!! __________________ Nate 1995 4Runner sr5 V6 4WD auto: 32" BFG A/T's on black rock crawlers, 4.88's, jardine exhaust, OME 900 coils, BJ spacers, procomp shocks and steering stabilizer, aisin manual hubs. My 4Runner

03-13-2006, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
wailukutoy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	I would definitely rather cut the spacer, than the uca. Would that be ok?

03-14-2006, 08:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
wailukutoy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	Thanks for the input. Is it that easy to do it yourself? I have little mechanical skills and tools. It seems pretty straight forward, but I am afraid of messing anything up like the shafts, and having problems with binding like some other guy on the forum did. How hard is it really, for someone with little experience and tools? Thanks everyone, appreciate the help.

03-14-2006, 07:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
slosurfer Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Osos, CA (we can't agree on crap!) Posts: 2,155	The grinding is the easy part, finding out how to raise the uca high enough was the hard part for me. I would definately buy a grinder rather than rent one, you will be surprised how much you use it. One tip if you get a 4.5 in. grinder, go ahead and use a 4 in. cutting wheel. I have a 4.5 in. grinder and used the 4.5 in. wheel and the first side was real tight getting it in there. The next side was easier because the wheel had worn down a little bit. I am the one that had the binding problem. I am still not sure what the problem was, but once I had it aligned it fixed the problem. Something was way off on my driverside and the whole wheel was closer to the diff. than it was supposed to be, causing the angle to be greater than it should have been. It wasn't drooping any further than the pass. side, just the angle was greater for some reason. Anyways, I am completely happy with them and have had them offroad about every weekend since. Also, having all the help from everyone here was awesome. I also know a little more about my front end, which is always helpful. __________________ Chris 7th Annual Pismo Jamboree: Sept. 25-27, 2009 '93 4runner SR5 3.0 Auto 4WD '07 Tacoma Dcab 4x4 TRD offroad '89 F250 4x4 w/utility bed M416 1/4 ton military trailer "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." Ronald Reagan Semper Fi SLO 4wheelers

03-14-2006, 08:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
wailukutoy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	Thanks everyone this is really helpful to me and I am grateful for the input. I went to my auto shop today and looked at buying a tool to do the trimming. The install suggests an angle grinder or cut off wheel to do this. What would be better, or is there no advantage of one over the other. The angle ginder was $20 and the cutting wheel was $40. I don't mind spending the extra money if the cutting wheel would be that much more worth it, or is it not? Thanks again.

03-14-2006, 08:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,909	i picked up a $30 Ryobi 4" angle grinder when i installed mine. i have used it more times then i thought i would ever would when i bought it.. well worht the 30 bucks i spent. __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

03-14-2006, 09:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
wailukutoy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	With such a great solution to cranking T bars for a little lift, why are the spacers not a common thing? THe shops here in HI had no idea what they were, is it just this state or are they not common at all. One more quest. Would installing the spacers to obtain a 15" rim/fender limit cause the same increased angles on all suspension parts, such as the cv joints, as cranking the T bars to a 15" limit, or would does it not work out that way.

03-16-2006, 03:24 AM	#15 (permalink)
V_Runner Banned for stupidity Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ludlow, MA Posts: 397	anybody got pics. of where the BJ spacers go???

03-18-2006, 09:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
gsi23 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N/A Posts: 4	did you go to maui offroad for the work. There's a couple better guys down there that do thier own work. And know what they are doing.

03-19-2006, 12:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
wailukutoy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	I actually called maui off road, and 4wheel parts on Oahu. Who would you recommend?

06-13-2009, 05:55 PM	#20 (permalink)
Teuf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Napa, Ca Posts: 497	i may get a set of 1" spacers, and then back of the torsion bar for 1 inch less to retain my current height, i have a 3 inch rancho lift n heavy duty tb

06-13-2009, 08:29 PM	#23 (permalink)
89silverpu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vacaville/Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA/ UNLV (Las Vegas), NV Posts: 1,691	At least the newbs are searching __________________ '89 Beater Jeep Eater in progress 4.88's, TRD e-locker, Dual Cases, 33's, Armored, Tread Lightly Mixchallenge.info

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