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Control arms

Upper control arm
installation guide.

Get to know the parts. Follow the fitting sequence. Finish with alignment and a final check.

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English 5 installation steps Original PDF, 9 pages

Red TopTiger upper control arm with both bushings and the ball joint under its cap labelled View larger
Know the parts Bushings & ball joint

Before you begin

Identify the components before fitting. The arms form a mirror-image pair: match each one to the stock arm for the correct side and direction.

Bushings (×4)
Fit at the arm brackets. Grease before installation.
Ball joint
The grease fitting is under the cap. Lubricate it before installing the arm.

Have these ready

Grease gun and polyurethane bushing grease; grease or anti-seize for the pivot bolt shafts; a lift or jack stands; a separate jack for the lower arm; a ball joint separator; and a flat spanner for adjustment.

Check your application. Confirm vehicle fitment and tightening torques with TopTiger for your vehicle and UCA before fitting.

Step 1: Lubricate before installation

Grease the ball joint and both bushing ends before fitting the arm.

Grease fitting in the centre of the exposed ball joint, circled in red View larger
Ball jointRemove the cap. Grease until the boot starts to swell.
Bushing sleeve end with the grease application area circled in red View larger
BushingsApply polyurethane bushing grease around the sleeve at both ends.
  • Rotate the housing back and forth to work the grease in.
  • Refit the aluminium cap. Do not overtighten.

Original guide · page 2

Step 2: Remove the stock upper arm

Annotated suspension photo identifying the pivot bolts, ball joint, brake hose and wires, and jack beneath the lower arm View larger
Select the photo to inspect the callouts.
  1. Support the frameUse a lift or jack stands.
  2. Support the lower arm separatelyPosition a separate jack under the lower arm.
  3. Release the hose and wiresUnclip the brake hose and ABS wiring. Mark the eccentric bolts.
  4. Separate the joint and remove the armUse a ball joint separator, then remove the pivot bolts. Never hammer the joint.

Original guide · page 3

Step 3: Install the new upper arm

Match the stock arm for side and direction. Keep the bushing bolts snug only at this stage.

Before fitting the pivot bolts

Two pivot bolts with their shafts highlighted for grease or anti-seize, and a callout identifying the threads to keep clean View larger

Apply grease or anti-seize to the bolt shafts.

Shafts only — keep the threads clean.

This helps prevent the bolts seizing in the bushings and makes removal easier later.

Original guide · page 5

Installed upper control arm with callouts for snug bushing bolts, ball joint nut, spring clearance and secured brake hose and wires View larger
Select the photo to inspect the callouts.
  • Match the side and direction. Compare the new arm with the stock arm.
  • Leave bushing bolts snug. Final tightening comes at ride height.
  • Tighten the ball joint nut. Lock it as shown below.
  • Secure the hose and wires. At full droop and full steering lock, check that the hose is not stretched and the arm clears the spring.

Lock the ball joint nut

Close-up of the ball joint nut with labels for the slot, cotter pin, hex socket and bent pin legs View larger

Line up a slot with the pin hole only by tightening. Do not back off the nut.

Fit a new cotter pin and bend the legs apart.

Original guide · pages 4–6

Step 4: Final tightening

Final-tighten the bushing bolts

at ride height.

  1. Refit the wheels and lower the vehicleTighten the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern.
  2. Settle the suspensionBounce the vehicle to settle it at ride height.
  3. Fully tighten the bushing boltsDo this with the vehicle at ride height.
  4. Paint-mark the nutsUse the marks to spot loosening during the follow-up check.

Original guide · page 6

Step 5: Alignment & re-check

  • Have the wheel alignment done. Check camber, caster and toe.
  • Test drive. Check for no pulling, normal steering return and no clunks.
  • Re-check after 300–500 km. Inspect the bolts and paint marks.
Alignment outside specification? See the adjustment appendix

Original guide · page 7

Four common mistakes to avoid

These are the checks worth coming back to before the job is finished.

  • Tightening bushings with the suspension hanging

    Can tear the bushings and cause squeaks. Final-tighten at ride height.

  • Backing off the ball joint nut

    Can leave the ball joint loose. Align the slot only by tightening.

  • Swapping the left and right arms

    Can cause wandering or pulling. Match the stock arm for side and direction.

  • Skipping wheel alignment

    Can cause uneven tyre wear and pulling. Check camber, caster and toe.

Original guide · page 7

Alignment adjustment appendixUse only if the alignment is outside specification.

Measure first. If alignment is within specification, do not adjust.

Bushing adjuster labelled with lock bolt 1, adjuster nut 2, exposed thread and bushing housing View larger
Flat spanner engaged in the slots of the adjuster nut Use a flat spanner.It fits the slots of adjuster nut 2. Turn the nut to change the length.View larger

Which angle are you adjusting?

How bushing length affects camber and caster
AngleAdjustmentEffect
CamberBoth ends longerWheel top tilts out
Both ends shorterWheel top tilts in
CasterFront longer, rear shorterMore caster
Front shorter, rear longerLess caster

Front = bushing towards the front of the vehicle; rear = bushing towards the back. Adjusting one end changes camber and caster together. Adjust left and right separately.

The adjustment sequence

  1. MeasureDo the alignment. If it is within specification, do not adjust.
  2. UnloadLift the vehicle and support the lower arm with a jack. Mark the eccentric bolts first. Loosen, but do not remove, the pivot bolt at the end being adjusted.
  3. UnlockLoosen lock bolt 1.
  4. AdjustTurn adjuster nut 2 with the flat spanner. Housing out = longer; in = shorter. Do not over-extend the thread.
  5. LockTighten lock bolt 1.
  6. Re-checkLower the vehicle, bounce it to settle the suspension, tighten the pivot bolt and measure again. Repeat steps 2–6 if needed.

Original guide · pages 8–9

Need a hand with your installation?

Share your vehicle details and UCA model with the TopTiger team.

Contact support

support@toptiger4x4.com

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Installation reference

Select Zoom in to inspect the callouts.