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D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 1:14 pm
by BarneyB
Howdy gurus,
Anyone fitted offset bushings in the front LCA's??
Looks like I'm going to need 'em to get the caster & camber right.
If so, was there any issues with fitting?
Do they create another problem (like adjustable UCA's do!)
Can the CV's handle the longer distance between diff & hub?
Will I need different sway bay links once they're fitted?
Any other issues I should consider...?
cheers!

Re: D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:50 pm
by NavBoss
Adjustable UCAs are generally required for lifts greater than 45mm (2") because extra travel is required as well as better camber and caster adjustment. Some UCAs are non adjustable but slightly longer to allow for a 2" - 4" lift. Keep in mind ALL aftermarket UCAs need the strut tower lip shaved back for clearance of the ball joint boot to get the extra travel. Lower offset bushes are available and with the help of the top arm adjustment you may be able to push the upper ball joint further away to minimise or possibly eliminate the need to grind the strut tower.

The Driveshaft should have enough slip to be able to handle the use of offset bushes as we are only talking maybe 5 - 10mm max or maybe slightly more with the extra offset bushes.

Navlife sell the SuperPro bush kits and can be found here:

D40 Navara : https://navlife.com.au/product-category ... erpro-d40/
NP300 Navara : https://navlife.com.au/product-category ... pro-np300/

Heavy Duty Swaybar Links : https://navlife.com.au/product/psr-niss ... -link-pin/

Re: D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:20 pm
by Nissannavara08
Just installed PSR UCAS this afternoon after my toughdog ones were only good for 50mm lift. They were great but having gone higher lift had reached their limits. 
PSR good for 2-4 lift but some minor linishing work on strut towers required. More than happy to point out, show talk you through it.
simple job really that requires 3 bolts undone 

Re: D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:22 pm
by Nissannavara08
Just installed PSR UCAS this afternoon after my toughdog ones were only good for 50mm lift. They were great but having gone higher lift had reached their limits. 
PSR good for 2-4 lift but some minor linishing work on strut towers required. More than happy to point out, show talk you through it.
simple job really that requires 3 bolts undone 
 

Re: D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:58 am
by BarneyB
NavBoss wrote: Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:50 pm Adjustable UCAs are generally required for lifts greater than 45mm (2") because extra travel is required as well as better camber and caster adjustment. Some UCAs are non adjustable but slightly longer to allow for a 2" - 4" lift. Keep in mind ALL aftermarket UCAs need the strut tower lip shaved back for clearance of the ball joint boot to get the extra travel. Lower offset bushes are available and with the help of the top arm adjustment you may be able to push the upper ball joint further away to minimise or possibly eliminate the need to grind the strut tower.

The Driveshaft should have enough slip to be able to handle the use of offset bushes as we are only talking maybe 5 - 10mm max or maybe slightly more with the extra offset bushes.

Navlife sell the SuperPro bush kits and can be found here:

D40 Navara : https://navlife.com.au/product-category ... erpro-d40/
NP300 Navara : https://navlife.com.au/product-category ... pro-np300/

Heavy Duty Swaybar Links : https://navlife.com.au/product/psr-niss ... -link-pin/


 
Thanks for the info. The aUCA's were in my garage for months - I knew I needed them. What I didn't realise was how badly they fouled on the spring tower and the need for offset LCA bushes. I haven't seen much info around about the LCA offsets....


I'll post up my experience so far, as info for anyone else....
(although it's all pretty common knowledge with most Navheads).

- 2" TD lift kit 12 months ago.

- Wheel alignment guru couldn't get camber/caster spot-on due to simple adjuster pin range.
At that point I had 3 choices:
1. Ignore the slight positive camber & tyre wear & just drive it. Many people do exactly that.
2. Pay for an advanced alignment with shims. This is expensive (for what it is) and cannot be re-adjusted easily.
3. Adjustable upper control arms (a UCA's) to correct camber/caster (less then double the cost of shim kit alignment)

NOTE: Apparently different D40's have different factory alignment ability. I think later models have more adjustment for caster/camber ??
Older models (mine is '08 VSK) have one simple pin for caster & camber....with limited range.

- Purchase Superpro aUCA's because they were on special....and they make "big claims" about adjustability, strength etc etc.
Leave aUCA's in garage for nearly a year.

- Fit aUCA's and discover that the interference with spring tower is not "slight" or "mild" but quite severe, when upright is set for positive caster & negative camber.

- Grind back the famous lip on the spring tower & repaint. Clearance provided......just.

- Contacted SuperPro Australia directly & asked them why the aUCA fouled on the spring tower so badly? Sent photos. They agreed. They overnighted a set of their off-set LCA bushes (p/n SPF4786K) for no cost. Very helpful. Quick replies. Have used their products in many vehicles for years - great company in my exp.

- So now those LCA bushes will sit in my garage for several months  :D ...until  get time to fit 'em.

End result should be plenty of adjustment for correct alignment, plus a little room to go 3" lift in the future...
The Superpro aUCA's are very well made, come with an oversize ball joint & poly bushes fitted. BUT ...they may not be the best out there for clearance, and maximum lift, for the people chasing 1 million inch lifts. I'm going to stick with them until/unless I have to change them out.
HTH.

(I have plenty of photos that would make this post better, but the forum file size limit is set to 1994 specification. I don't have time to dig out my old 2 megapixel steam powered camera)  :roll:
  :lol:
 

 
 

Re: D40 offset bushings...?

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 3:30 pm
by NavBoss
(I have plenty of photos that would make this post better, but the forum file size limit is set to 1994 specification. I don't have time to dig out my old 2 megapixel steam powered camera)  Image
  Image
Unfortunately we have to have a limit on photo size otherwise storage will fill up quite quick. Most phones these days with cameras have the ability to down size or down sample photos otherwise there are apps for both PC, Mac or mobile devices that will let you downsize photos. Thanks for sharing your experience. I might make a sticky post on some suggestions for users to downsize and upload photos. 8-)