Deeke's upper control arms?

StueyD said:

Steve, did you manage to get yours installed yet? Any tips?

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Hello Stu. I have not had an opportunity to install them yet. What is the problem you are having installing them? Does the inner metal sleeve fit in the opening without the washers? On the Amazon listing for these control arms, there was a comment/Review about the washers being to big to fit in the opening. The guy ended up buying smaller washers that seemed to work.

JeepinSteve said:

Hello Stu. I have not had an opportunity to install them yet. What is the problem you are having installing them? Does the inner metal sleeve fit in the opening without the washers? On the Amazon listing for these control arms, there was a comment/Review about the washers being to big to fit in the opening. The guy ended up buying smaller washers that seemed to work.

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It's exactly that, the nipple's get in the way i.e. can't get it high enough and wouldn't trust it if they were on there, as in it looks like it might get caught/ripped off.

I've actually bought some grub screws to plug the holes, though thinking screws with a head might have been a better idea.

They are also too wide as well, and I think even with smaller washes I think I may have to trim the bushes and or grind a mm or 2 off of the bush arms/holes.

StueyD said:

It's exactly that, the nipple's get in the way i.e. can't get it high enough and wouldn't trust it if they were on there, as in it looks like it might get caught/ripped off.

I've actually bought some grub screws to plug the holes, though thinking screws with a head might have been a better idea.

They are also too wide as well, and I think even with smaller washes I think I may have to trim the bushes and or grind a mm or 2 off of the bush arms/holes.

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Just from your experience installing these control arms, do you think it would help to get bushings with a thicker outer lip so you could eliminate the metal washers? Basically the outer portion of the bushing would be thicker thank the original bushing thus no need for the metal washer. Hope that makes sense.

JeepinSteve said:

Just from your experience installing these control arms, do you think it would help to get bushings with a thicker outer lip so you could eliminate the metal washers? Basically the outer portion of the bushing would be thicker thank the original bushing thus no need for the metal washer. Hope that makes sense.

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I'm going to try and fit one of the arms tomorrow,.
I'm partly thinking, that even without the washers I'm going to have to trim these bushes down a bit, but to be confirmed

duderz7 said:

Looks like they couldn't even bother to tighten hardware before taking pictures, I'd be concerned about what other shortcuts were taken...

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+

StueyD said:

They just seem too big for the wells and especially struggling with space with the nipple's on.

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=
thumbs up @duderz7

You know you're on a really good forum when the second post in a thread nails it.

StueyD said:

I'm going to try and fit one of the arms tomorrow,.
I'm partly thinking, that even without the washers I'm going to have to trim these bushes down a bit, but to be confirmed

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Good luck. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

@StueyD and others..thanks for posting about your install issues with these cheap Deekes UCAs. That kind of detailed feedback is ALSO what makes this forum so great.

That said, of course the JBA uca's do not have ANY of these fitment problems that MIGHT be solved by eliminating washers, or trimming back bushings or replacing zerks with screws.

And while I am NOT saying these Deekes aren't worth saving money on in the end, I will point out again, that without metallurgy and/or weld testing to back them up, these silly fitment problems make me even more concerned about the actual quality and structural integrity of them.

This forum being made up of sophisticated and knowledgable members, I do not really have to point out the possible disastrous consequences if one of the UCA welds fails while driving at speed, or Jeeping on trail, but I CAN assure you that Deeke wont be around to help out.

As always, YOUR money, YOUR Jeep, YOUR Choice!!

JeepinSteve said:

Good luck. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

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I couldn't wait, just went and put one in.
It the rh side, drivers side here in the UK.

I swapped the nipple's to grub screws, didn't bother with any of the washers, but there was the possibility of sneaking one in on the side closer to the cab.

Had to employ the rubber mallet and the son to push the bolt while I wiggled and hammered.

Managed to get the bolt to the 2nd hole and then managed to persuade it the rest of the way with a 6lb mallet, very gently, but worked.

So I now have 1 in.

StueyD said:

I couldn't wait, just went and put one in.
It the rh side, drivers side here in the UK.

I swapped the nipple's to grub screws, didn't bother with any of the washers, but there was the possibility of sneaking one in on the side closer to the cab.

Had to employ the rubber mallet and the son to push the bolt while I wiggled and hammered.

Managed to get the bolt to the 2nd hole and then managed to persuade it the rest of the way with a 6lb mallet, very gently, but worked.

So I now have 1 in.

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Where did you get them from? Haven't seen any UK sellers offering them.
Just fitted a second hand upper on mine, the last one was dead after a year and a half so bolt in ball joints look attractive but JBA's are the same price as gold here!