BDS Suspension UCA Kit (#121152) - NEW product? - Has anyone tried these yet?

[Oh Kee Pah]

I was bumming around the BDS website yesterday and came across these. I have not seen them before, have not read about them in the TYForum, and started to wonder if anyone out there is running these on there setups?
They look pretty solid. As can be expected, price probably relates to quality, reputation and service.
You can check them out on the BDS website here: https://bds-suspension.com/product-display?sr=121152

Safe Travels!

 

[308er]

I just came across that product also while searching for UCAs. Would be nice to hear some feedback if anyone has used them. Per BDS "the ball joints are greaseable and can be pressed out and replaced down the road if needed."

Looking to replace my UCAs on '17 Z71 as will be leveling 2 inches. Anyone know of any other reputable UCAs (not ruling out BDS, but want to know my options).

Cognitos are good also, but are 10-12 weeks out.

 

[STORMIN08]

so the price also reflects the addition of SPACERS to run factory wheels...

i am running readylift UCA, roughly half this price and also factory wheels with zero issues. i went with ready lift as they were the only option for factory wheels.

 

[308er]

so the price also reflects the addition of SPACERS to run factory wheels...

i am running readylift UCA, roughly half this price and also factory wheels with zero issues. i went with ready lift as they were the only option for factory wheels.

How long have you been running them? I have 18s factory. If these will work with my wheels, I may opt for these also. My goal is to swap wheels/tires between summer and winter months.

 

[olyelr]

so the price also reflects the addition of SPACERS to run factory wheels...

i am running readylift UCA, roughly half this price and also factory wheels with zero issues. i went with ready lift as they were the only option for factory wheels.

Cheaper and the fact that you can run factory wheels without the need of spacers would pretty much make me not even consider the bds over the readylift.

Are they both designed for lifted applications (as far as the ball joints go)?

 

[STORMIN08]

readylift recommended them to correct ball joint angles on my 2.5" / they have roughly 12-15K miles with zero issues.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

Thank you all for the great discussion.

Though I'm not in the market for UCAs, I think I'm sold on the idea that there are better "fits" out there in the marketplace for updated UCAs (installed on leveled rigs, particularly 2"+ ride height increase) and being integrated with a suspension setup utilizing OE Wheels. I wonder if having a 20" wheel vs. 18" wheel would reduce chances of rubbing with the BDS UCAs? I'm assuming the spacers are included for use with the OE wheels because of tire rub on the after market BDS UCA. Of course, narrower tires could possibly help too in reducing chances of rub.

I think the ReadyLift UCA is a great option; as @STORMIN08 mentioned previously. It can be purchased separately (around $425) or with the 4" SST Lift Kit (approx. $1,400).
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Interesting review from a Silverado owner with the READYLIFT UCAs installed:

"Great upgrade with one frustrating flaw​

Bought these for my leveled Silverado. Good construction, greasable ball joints. Fit perfectly but one flaw. The ball joints have no allen wrench recess to stop them from spinning. This is complicated by Readylift including a locknut that immediately grabs the ball joint stud before seating. Solution is to use a regular M12 bolt to seat the joint, then remove it and install the lock nut."

 

[STORMIN08]

the spacer will be MORE SO need with the smaller diameter wheel, depending on BS, they barrel will touch the front of the upper arm.
these are far from ideal pics, but what you see is the front wheels edge at the lower portion of the pic, looking down at the arm. you can see how close a 22" wheel comes at 2.5" lift. this was a trial before purchase. most if not all aftermarket arms, are larger diameter tube and most are further forward than the stock arm. the 22" probably clears for this reason, where as a 17-18 may make contact at full lock.

 

[308er]

Does anyone know if ReadyLift has caps to cover ball-joint recess on the UCA? I couldn't find anything on their site. Would really like to avoid dirt and debris collecting in that area.

Another reputable brand of UCA's for the Tahoes is DirtKing. Site below. They have tubular (599) and boxed (799). Both are in stock per their website. These are max 4.75inch backspacing.

Chevy Tahoe

Dirt King Fabrication Chevy Tahoe lift, leveling, mid travel, and long travel suspension kits. Browse ball joint / uniball upper control arms (UCA's), lower control arms (LCA's), Fox shocks, King shocks, bed cages, bumpers, bump stops, wheels, axles, lighting, accessories & more!

dirtkingfabrication.com

 

[BeenChevy]

Those look similar to the KSP arms that delivered yesterday. Unfortunately the ball joint in the left arm feels overly stiff and grinding vs the right which is stiff but smooth. I can't install this garbage.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

@BeenChevy - BUMMER!

I guess you're returning the KSP UCAs...plans now?
I ran for about 7500 miles, and have seen a few others here on the TYForum running them, Freedom Off-Road UCAs. They may be worth taking a look at before you spring big bucks for a big name brand UCA pair. I think the Freedom Off-Road UCA pair comes in around $350. They also offer a greaseable and non-greasing ball joint in their UCAs. The FREEDOM OFF-ROAD Website

 

[STORMIN08]

dry joint maybe stiff depending on type, and with no grease...probably wont be smooth

i have had seeral in years past like this, installed...greased and ran with no issues. all depends on how you feel

 

[BeenChevy]

@BeenChevy - BUMMER!

I guess you're returning the KSP UCAs...plans now?
I ran for about 7500 miles, and have seen a few others here on the TYForum running them, Freedom Off-Road UCAs. They may be worth taking a look at before you spring big bucks for a big name brand UCA pair. I think the Freedom Off-Road UCA pair comes in around $350. They also offer a greaseable and non-greasing ball joint in their UCAs. The FREEDOM OFF-ROAD Website

Thought I read you had issues with FOR ball-joints. Looked a little last night on Rockauto and added the forged aluminum MEVOTECH CTXMS501233 & 34 to the cart. Always wanted to try those out.

 

[BeenChevy]

dry joint maybe stiff depending on type, and with no grease...probably wont be smooth

i have had seeral in years past like this, installed...greased and ran with no issues. all depends on how you feel

Unfortunately the ball-joints on these are non-greaseable. I'd pull the boot to confirm they forgot to add grease but the rubber quality of these boots is garbage too. The rubber has a white coating like a rubber band aged in the sun and you can tell it's going to split in no time. Didn't bother trying to lift the upper boot ring as it's thinner than paper-clip gauge wire and will almost certainly damage the boot. Tried working the joint around a bit and by sound and feel - I'd be very surprised to find any grease. The other is certainly smooth as butter though, just glad I didn't decide to install them anyway. The ebay seller responded in broken English disregarding any comments as he may not have understood anything I wrote. Sending them back.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

You are correct, I DID have troubles with ball joints on the Freedom Off Road UCA. However, I am still not sure why that exactly was the case. I had purchased the non-greaseable ball joints since I'm in ME and the roads are horrible throughout winter. Perhaps the greaseable ball joint is better performing. Perhaps Freedom has improved QC since I first purchased a couple years ago.
Other TYFmember has provided photo documentation of their Freedom UCAs and the angle looked good. Mine did not, that's for sure. I still think that Freedom could be a solid solution for some, at least working on limited budgets. The company has expanded their available product line for our GMs in the past several years, both with the UCA and different coil-over assembly options. Very hard to find any reviews or testimonials out there regarding Freedom products being used on GM vehicles, unfortunately.
I think the Mevotech TTX should work out fine. Glad you're getting to make the return. Keep us posted

 

[BeenChevy]

I called Freedom Off Road and they don't sell upper control arms for 15 yukon xl. It doesn't illustrate in the ebay add that the cap can be removed; it can and reveals KSP pre-installed grease zerk on ball-Joint PN: ca-293061-y

Ebay add says not to fill and is "just a decoration":

Thought about installing another ball-joint until I read a half dozen reviews about the poly requiring a ton of lubing and that it was noisy. Also things about the weld quality among other things ragging on this crap product. Anyone know if stock denali aluminum arm ball-joints can be pressed out? They look seemless..

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

I think that's a bit of an odd statement coming from Freedom Off Road. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND how the UCA cannot fit the '15 Yukon XL. The OE UCA fits 2015-2020 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Escalade, Escalade ESV. As well as 2014-2019 Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500. ALL TRIM LEVELS.

IMO - The Freedom Off-Road UCA would certainly fit on the 2015 Yukon and 2015 Yukon XL.
Secondly - Freedom's stock just went down in my book with this fitting recommendation. Unless someone has an opinion as to why the part would not fit.


To keep the original post going -> do we have any members running the BDS UCAs?

 

[BeenChevy]

Yeah, that makes no sense. I e-mailed them as well and here's the response:

 

[STORMIN08]

there are differences in each model year prior to XX year, i do not recall the specifics, but i do know the material type of your stock arms matters due to the ball joint used.

gm did switch to a single ball joint size for all arms, but i do not recall which year that stated

 

[maxpsi]

I haven’t had any issues out of my Freedom off-road UCAs. I grease them every oil change with Mobil grease. I’ve put maybe 15k miles on them so far.