Anyone use Freedom Off-Road UCAs? (2015 Tahoe)

[Oh Kee Pah]

Actually, I've had Freedom Off-Road in the back of my mind for several months.
Been thinking I might give their 0-4" adjustable coil-overs a try, but only if I get to the point where my current Fox 2.0s need to go in for service.
This is my family daily driver and we won't function a couple of weeks without it.

I've actually thought that combining the Freedom-Off Road coil-overs with one of the 4" lift kits on the market could be a pretty interesting build. I spoke with one of their service techs over a year ago and he stated that the Freedom Off-Road owner was running the company's products on his personal Tahoe.


Here's some of the battle wounds from the rubbing I experienced when at full turn - notice the UCA ball joint angle. This is what leads me to believe more front lift was required on my setup.

Front Passenger Side:

Front Driver Side:

Safe Travels!

 

[maxpsi]

That’s the same part number I have. I guess the Tahoe and Yukon share the same UCA then?

 

[maxpsi]

That’s the same part number I have. I guess the Tahoe and Yukon share the same UCA then?

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

Yes, the Yukon and Tahoe pretty much have identical parts throughout the platform. The magneride and rear air suspension are certainly more common with GMC vs. Tahoe. Guessing that if you're this far down the rabbit hole with a Denali then you are certainly running some sort of MRC delete kit. I personally use Xineering for that.

There are 3 different types of UCA arms, stamped steel, aluminum and cast steel. We must always pay attention to the product we are purchasing and whether it is matched to your vehicle's specific UCA fabrication.

@maxpsi - The ball joint angle on your GMC looks 100% better than what I had going on when the Freedom UCAs were installed on my Tahoe. Glad for that!

Perhaps there was something wrong with the pair that I had installed; I wish I knew. They were great in covering replacement ball joints and shipping at least. But I did have to pay for installs, etc...
I tried to follow-up with Freedom Off Road regarding the return and what could have been the cause of the continuous failing ball joint, never got an answer though.

 

[maxpsi]

I had factory stamped steel arms.

I may purchase an extra set of ball joints from Freedom off-road just to be safe.

 

[olyelr]

Whats weird is oh kee paws angles look like he needs more lift to make the ball joints happy, yet maxpsi looks like he has too much lift…what height increase you fellas running?

 

[olyelr]

Yes, the Yukon and Tahoe pretty much have identical parts throughout the platform. The magneride and rear air suspension are certainly more common with GMC vs. Tahoe. Guessing that if you're this far down the rabbit hole with a Denali then you are certainly running some sort of MRC delete kit. I personally use Xineering for that.

There are 3 different types of UCA arms, stamped steel, aluminum and cast steel. We must always pay attention to the product we are purchasing and whether it is matched to your vehicle's specific UCA fabrication.

@maxpsi - The ball joint angle on your GMC looks 100% better than what I had going on when the Freedom UCAs were installed on my Tahoe. Glad for that!

Perhaps there was something wrong with the pair that I had installed; I wish I knew. They were great in covering replacement ball joints and shipping at least. But I did have to pay for installs, etc...
I tried to follow-up with Freedom Off Road regarding the return and what could have been the cause of the continuous failing ball joint, never got an answer though.

At least they worked with you by giving you parts and eventually buying them back…would be nice to hear their opinion on what may have been the issue though. Nonetheless, kudos to freedom offroad.

 

[maxpsi]

Best guess is a 6” inch lift for me. I’m measuring from center of the hub up to the bottom of the fender. I compared those measurements with a stock Yukon (not XL).

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

When I was running the Fox 2.0 (0-2" adjustable coil overs), my front end ride height increased about +2.75 inches, using the pre-set +2 inches out-of-the-box as Fox states.
Very similar ride height increases as @15TahoeLT mentioned in post #5 of this thread.

 

[olyelr]

When I was running the Fox 2.0 (0-2" adjustable coil overs), my front end ride height increased about +2.75 inches, using the pre-set +2 inches out-of-the-box as Fox states.
Very similar ride height increases as @15TahoeLT mentioned in post #5 of this thread.

Same here. When i put them on my wifes ‘16 denali, pretty sure they gained that much or even a bit more. Had to take them back out and adjust them way down.

 

[maxpsi]

Same here. When i put them on my wifes ‘16 denali, pretty sure they gained that much or even a bit more. Had to take them back out and adjust them way down.

Yeah, it stinks you can't adjust them on the vehicle. Did you ever find a spanner wrench that would work for them?

When I was running the Fox 2.0 (0-2" adjustable coil overs), my front end ride height increased about +2.75 inches, using the pre-set +2 inches out-of-the-box as Fox states.
Very similar ride height increases as @15TahoeLT mentioned in post #5 of this thread.

How did you know the ball joints on the UCAs were wearing out?

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

I usually go to Chevy dealer for my oil changes. My dealer usually does the quick MPVI checklist that covers a look at major suspension components.
Each of the ball joint failures was diagnosed via "play in the ball joint." This is visible when the truck is off the ground allowing suspension to droop. Grab the top and bottom of the tire and move in and out along the vehicle access. There should be zero to little play on the ball joint.
When this was performed on my vehicle, the ball joint was visibly moving...

 

[Trailblazzin]

@Oh Kee Pah it appears you still have the UCA “perch” in tack, did the instructions for the Freedom UCA’s recommend cutting them out? ’m in a similar situation with a 2.5” front level and the upper ball joints prematurely fail in the rough country forged UCA’s. I still have my spring perch. Trying to figure out what a long term solution may be. I don’t have the time to replace ball joints on a regular basis.

 

[maxpsi]

Do you mean the droop stop?

 

[Trailblazzin]

Do you mean the droop stop?

Exactly had a moment, couldn’t think of the correct term until after i posted

 

[maxpsi]

My Freedom UCAs didn’t come with any directions, so I couldn’t tell you if that was apart of it. The Fox 2.0s directions don’t mention cutting them, but Icon and other major brand coilovers say cut them. I was sitting on top of them, so I cut them out. I was able to do it without removing any suspension components.