Does This Look Right? UCA In Contact with Fuel Tank

[Midlife Crises]

It is not uncommon for the upper control arm rod end or bushing to require a different size (diameter) bolt than stock. The new mount could also require a different diameter bolt. A mismatch either way will bang and clang like hell when stepping on the gas and letting off. Perhaps the bolt is the wrong diameter for the hole in the bracket. The three bolts attaching the bracket to the body shouldn’t give you any trouble.

 

[Candy10]

It is not uncommon for the upper control arm rod end or bushing to require a different size (diameter) bolt than stock. The new mount could also require a different diameter bolt. A mismatch either way will bang and clang like hell when stepping on the gas and letting off. Perhaps the bolt is the wrong diameter for the hole in the bracket. The three bolts attaching the bracket to the body shouldn’t give you any trouble.

I agree with you, and there has been "that" noise since the install, but its very subtle. This is all new, hard knocking sound. And it got worse and worse as I drove home this morning, by the time I pulled into my neighborhood it was knocking over every little seam in the pavement.

That said, you just gave me an idea to check the spherical bushing on the axle side. Its been in there much longer than this control arm, maybe its what is failing. At any rate, thanks for the suggestion, but its 100% something has failed or is failing

Ill update yall whenever I get back to it this week

 

[Candy10]

Steeda replied with a link to the instructions. Doesnt solve my problem, but at least I know the shop didnt read the instructions. Just a reminder to always double check any work you dont do yourself.


I should have time to get up under the car again and try to diagnose. I feel a little more at ease now that I know the bracket is seated and mounted correctly. Something is telling me its the spherical bearing on the axle side, its damn near 7 years old now and the car has been driven hard. Hoping its just the teflon liner has worn out. Keeping my fingers crossed thats all it is, easy replacement

 

[Autokyrios]

When did you call Steeda? (guess you did just when I was posting lol)
If you haven't, that would be my first suggestion. Those guys are good and it's their part. They'll help you out.
I have their adjustable UCA bracket and it doesn't touch the tank. Forward hole is stock, rear hole is for increased angle.
I'd check the alignment of your gas tank to make sure it's in right. There's not really much wiggle room once it's properly nested, but occasionally I get mine being stubborn and have to wiggle it a bit to get it to sit straight.
You may also just need to bang down the edge of the tank seam to make clearance. But I'd chat with Steeda, first.

 

[Autokyrios]

Hoping its just the teflon liner has worn out. Keeping my fingers crossed thats all it is, easy replacement

It's not too bad. Only issue is how cramped it is in there. The further you can lower the rear axle the better access you'll have to the bolts. Just beware the axle is very heavy and it kinda "hangs" from that UCA, so you want to make sure you have the axle low enough to relieve spring tension and have it fully supported. Having some long ratchet extensions is great as you can work the bolts basically from the side of the car and a nice breaker bar on there. Outside of that, it's just annoyingly cramped and hard to see. A floor jack under the axle that you can readily raise-lower as you work is helpful.