How to Install Upper Control Arms on a 3rd Gen Tacoma 🛠 Element Hard Parts Billet UCA

In today's video, I install my Element Hard Parts Billet Uniball Upper Control Arms! Stay tuned for a more detailed video about why I got these UCAs in the first place, and why I went with Element for my own third gen Tacoma 😁
- Element Hard Parts Billet Aluminum UCAs for 05+ Tacoma: www.elementhardparts.com/collections/all/products/element-billet-uniball-heim-uca-toyota-tacoma-2005
Tools I Used:
- Torque Wrench (1/2" drive): amzn.to/3wYDACT
- Breaker Bar (3/8" drive): amzn.to/2Uu6pKk
- Plastic Pin Removal Tool: amzn.to/36ZHFff (similar)
- Vice Grips: amzn.to/3eLWnuL
- Antiseize (for bolt threads): amzn.to/3iEktIY
- Makita Gun (3/8" drive): amzn.to/3zmCB0P (similar)
- Mechanix Gloves: amzn.to/3rEiFEd
- Hammer
- For the following, I use Craftsman:
- 6mm Allen Wrench
- 17mm, 19mm Wrench
- 10mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm Sockets
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My Instagram 📱: @chloekuotaco
🌮 MY TACOMA: 2019 TRD Off-Road, Silver Sky Metallic DCSB 🌮
- BFGoodrich KO2s (265/70/R17) : www.4wheelparts.com/p/bf-goodrich-lt265-70r17-tire-all-terrain-t-a-ko2-66255/_/R-BDKZ-66255
- Baja Designs Squadron SAE Fog Lights (use code "ChloeK10" for 10% off): www.bajadesigns.com/products/Toyota-Tacoma-16-17-Lighting-Kits.asp
- PRP Off-Road Seat Covers: www.prpseats.com/product-category/seat-covers/toyota-seat-covers/
- Fabzone Armor Rock Sliders: fabzonearmor
- TRD Cold Air Intake: www.sparksparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-trd-performance-air-intake-ptr0335160?c=bD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM%3D&KZbin&Air_Intake_Video&Chloe_Influencer
- TRD Pro Wheels: amzn.to/2TIHcaE​
- TRD Skid Plate: amzn.to/31XXTU5​
- Chrome Exhaust Tip: amzn.to/3kLslbp​
0:00 - Overview
0:59 - What You'll Need
2:31 - A Bit About Element UCAs
3:13 - Removing the Stock UCA
10:14 - Installing the New UCA
14:12 - Afterthought and Future UCA Videos
#Toyota #TacomaMods

[@buffalo241]

I bet this gal can do anything she puts her mind to. Wish more young people were like her. Good job as usual. Great channel.

[@alexcloyd9620]

There are lots of young people like her!

[@JayWelchy]

It's one reason I follow her .. there are lots of young people getting hands on :) Love to see it

[@ChloeKuo]

Thanks for the support 😊

[@epicone2449]

Chloes parents did a good job raising her! Really smart and self reliant

[@Fk74303]

Oh lord…here I am again and I don’t even own a Tacoma and yet, I am still watching this channel…

[@ChloeKuo]

Now you know where to come when you get a Tacoma 😁😅

[@MADHIKER777]

Amazing work by yourself, but you are also filming and narrating an A+ video! Much respect!

[@rubensilva_]

Wow! That’s some amazing DIY automotive work. I would have given up halfway through and taken it into a shop and paid hundreds of dollars. It quite impressive what you do.

[@julestrdprodjimavicpro2869]

I feel ya on that

[@bulljolly7028]

Chloe , your channel is my go to before installing anything on my truck . I always check this channel for needed info Always can count on a honest depiction of what I should expect . Just saying thank you very much Ma’am . 👍

[@michaelmontana4825]

You make everything look so simple, another great job and very interesting watching you work!

[@garyaaron8425]

No doubt Chloe can do it all. Thinking I may need to man up and do more of the work myself in my taco. Great job and it looks fabulous

[@manwithnoname734]

Thanks for adding the torque specs. Most people leave that out. 👍

[@workoutlui]

Way 2 go Chloe! Your mechanicals skills are wicked! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@TANKYPOO]

Keep killin it with all the videos Chloe! Great work as always!!!

[@ScottWilliams323]

Another great video! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@ISLANDSKIN]

Get after it! So glad to actually doing things work like this and with Toyotas nonetheless. Amazing 👏

[@DjTspaRoLEoffIcER]

Bad ass DIY! Nice video content… showcasing tools and step by step installation. Great job! Tacoma is turning into a super off road truck. 👍

[@hillrunner2]

Your a handy person that was a sweet install, truck looking better with each upgrade. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheKidGomez]

Awesome video, just finished installing my new UCAs, keep it up!

[@tareskisloki8579]

Always worth getting wheel alignment done after fitting these too.

[@billyh8293]

This video was very helpful. Thanks for the good info

[@toekneetoeknee5987]

Making it look easy! I had to get another hand just to get that UCA bolt out. Awesome job!

[@noelquiambao1447]

Have the element UCA on my 2016 tundra. Love your videos, keep it going.

[@julestrdprodjimavicpro2869]

great job once again! I don't have the patience! those look really cool

[@iWubmusic]

That Jack is sick. Also love the snap on tool box! 🔧

[@chrisfloridare]

More mechanically inclined than most of the male "mechanics" I've worked with! Keep up the good work!

[@TheProductions101]

Haha I just commented on another video of yours saying you should use torque equipment to make the videos more professional. I havent even finish watching the video but I can tell this is legit.

[@gelhorner6556]

Love this vid sis. Was a fun learning video for sure 😁

[@outdoorspd3352]

Excellent work Chloe

[@franz7671]

Dam ..now I gotta get some...been putting it off. Lol...such an inspiration!! Not even busting a drop of sweat!!

[@alvarado2167]

Great video as always, keep it up!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Nice work! This is a big job.

[@PRO4XKEV]

Good work. Nice and strong control arms.

[@user-mo5gg9eh7h]

Excellent video as usual 👌

[@SpencerHogg]

Wow awesome job very impressed honestly wanna come do mine next hahaha

[@prescottosegie]

🔥🔥🔥🔥let go!!! Great video very informative I love that you have a passion for trucks it amazing Toyota Tacoma are my favorite trucks keep up the great work Chloe💯💪🏾

[@ChloeKuo]

Thank you😁

[@prescottosegie]

@@ChloeKuo your welcome 😎 keep up the awesome content💪🏾💯

[@sulaco8674]

Great job on the install, look forward to hearing about your review when testing them off road. I'm looking to do same job and replace my lowers at the same time, your video is of big help. Thank you keep up the good work and look forward to your future mods! 🤙

[@ChloeKuo]

Thank you!

[@asymsolutions]

​@@ChloeKuo Only thing I have criticism of is that you didn't choose to go with the bolt cut & swap procedure (which toyota recommends); that way you could avoid bending the pinchweld and cracking the paint. Basically, loosen the nut until it's almost off, put the bolt out till there is enough clearance between the head and UCA to cut the head off, then using the nut as a head, pry the bolt back out the rest of the way. Install the new bolt backwards (as toyota recommends) and you are done. Also buy some metric crowsfeet for torqueing those hard to reach areas, just remember to multply your torque value on the wrench by 1.083 since you will be changing the leverage of the torque wrench. I'll be putting my delta joints on in a few days and will be going that route.

[@user-ej1bq4bq2w]

Thank you for this. I have been wanting to swap uca since I upgraded to 6112's & 5160's, but I am absolutely not bending my fender like this on a truck with 20k miles on it. Nobody can convince that doesn't completely destroy its integrity, and I live on the ocean so trying to unsure paint reaches every crevis is pretty much impossible. I always knew I could cut the old one out, but wasn't sure how that helps get the new one in. Glad to hear there is room to slide it in from the cab side.

[@mpr3209]

Great job, Chloe! Did my Taco control arms a few years ago. We wrestled with that long bolt for hours.! For hard to reach spaces with your socket/breaker bar try a U joint socket extension ( some guys call it a wobble socket). It’s a great addition to your tools kit. Cheers!

[@dpaulitejr]

I installed the same ones on my 2006 DCLB 2 weeks ago! Alignment cost me $236 at The Truck Shop in Miramar.

[@ershaffer711]

Way to go! Pretty informative and in depth! Just wish it was on a Tundra, for my sake haha

[@javierclavell]

Excellent video, thank to you, i replaced mine super easy and fast. A+

[@jonathanmorgan4916]

Nice install Chloe, you are very paced and stay on target. I’ve been waiting some time for my new fabtech lift kit to arrive and found out they cancelled the uca’s, so now what. Watched your Video and enjoyed it so much I bought a pair just like yours. Can’t wait for them to get here. They look a lot nicer than the tubular one that came in the kit. Bit pricie but should be worth it.

[@royportalise5269]

Hi Chloe, any scratched paint touch up with black paint or under coating to prevent rust. Truck is looking good. Thank you for great upgrades!

[@itskerbc]

Great video! Watching your videos has helped me a lot. I have decided to go with 3” lift. Is there anything that I need to change like that UCA and anything else?

[@ericlerma4867]

Those control arms are sweet! kudos on getting that bolt out, wondering if there's an easier way other than cutting? good vid Chloe!

[@johnnymo2453]

You make it look easy.

[@diytacoma5758]

Another great video

[@makamakalena3464]

Good job Chloe!!

[@nuohk]

When it's time to upgrade to HD leaf packs, I hope you do it in house, cause Jesse R and a couple of other youtubers took their's to a shop to have them installed. I just did mine on my 🌮, it's definitely do able. I just need a second pair of hands and mechanical assistant (multiple floor jacks), they're heavy!

[@zerododger2429]

This is nice I have no problem with bending the metal a bit. I checked AllData for the procedures and it says to simply cut the bolt. Thanks for the tip!

[@michaelschwartz8922]

That was awesome!

[@paulc3692]

Nice work chloe! I had to bend my frame as well when installing the UCA my bro and I straighten back up and paint it primer black look lagit, Let us know when will u be coming down to Northern California for a 4x4 truck MEET! will be cool 😎

[@proclific]

Good idea on the breaker bar ... i do these with a 1/2 ratchet and its a lot harder ( knuckle buster !!! )

[@lewisdrake8732]

Hi Chloe, just a little tip. Always paint areas were you have removed paint, inner fender, because rust is the enemy! Also, I raced jet ski's 6 years and recommend putting a small amount of grease on o rings. It holds them in place during installation and keeps them from drying out and getting stuck. Seals better.

[@brandonlee3892]

Yeah you can’t just use any o ring grease for that if you want them to last a long time

[@whitetiger8652]

Nice job Chloe.

[@williamschmidt8944]

Great video!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I was researching ways modify my 2021 Taco TRD off-road to fit slightly bigger tires, Method rims and upgrading my stock suspension to high end coil overs and an better UCR. Do you have any thoughts about the UCR choices?

[@JohnnychimpO907]

Those look so sweet

[@mattinthehat22]

Nice video! Great work, girl. Use a pry bar to lift tires back onto the lugs. You'll know why if/when you get to 35s or anything bigger.

[@arceecola4934]

Thanks once again for the inspiration, Chloe! I've had a pair of Element Hard Parts' chromoly UCAs sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. Now I'ma just do it, but got to thinking of upgrading to these billets. I hope you share the results / experience u got with having them alligned. That may be the deciding factor for me to trade these up before I've even got them on! :D

[@ChloeKuo]

Nice! I'll be sure to make an update video 😁

[@brianduran6547]

Well done! Show them how we do it in Cali!

[@jewllake]

Nice! I'd go back and spray a little flat black or undercoating where you had to bend the inner fender.

[@nickestanislao8961]

Your a good technician it's a DIY for you only for your Tacoma more power

[@JL-fly7]

Hey Chloe, thanks for putting this together! Much appreciate your info. One question, the torque spec you mentioned for the castle nut is 100 ft-lbs in this video and I just came from your another video which is for your FOX coilover installation. You pointed out the torque spec for the Castle nut is 80 ft-lbs in that video. I am wondering the difference is due to different years of vehicle or something else. Thanks in advance.

[@philesq1]

Hi Chloe, wondering if you have ever changed your lower control arm, or more specially, the ball joints? What are your thoughts for aftermarket parts for this compared to OEM?

[@BoredVetGarage]

Check your star bolt. I have these on my truck. Mine just snapped. I have a video of it. They warrantied mine and they don’t come pre assembled now and the owner recommended torquing the star bolt and using lock tight. I would 1000% double check yours before it snaps on you. Luckily I was only pulling in my driveway. I was just going 80 on the highway.

[@joestowing8611]

Work smarter not harder, get your self an electric ratchet/impact. Great job!!

[@brandonlee3892]

When working on your own vehicles you don’t need to work fast and rush stuff. Hand tools are perfectly fine.

[@allentolbert8404]

Back at you CK Love You And Family Stay Safe Everyone 🙏

[@allentolbert8404]

Stay safe CK GBU And Family Much Love ❤

[@adamwest3637]

How are those UCA's holding up after a year? Do they squeek? Have you changed out the ball joint? Any updates would be greatly appreciated

[@michaelfrymus]

You have the heim mounts, wondering if these are going to survive in harsh winters and how it feels as a daily driver... Its either heim mounts or urathane bushings.

[@bobbievalentine8626]

With the upper control arm bushings , I'm curious if it makes any difference to tighten and torque the bolt with the truck at ride height rather than full droop ?

[@ReptileRaptureRR]

Girl you are amazing, I just bring my stuff to get installed by the guys at a local shop. This was awesome!!!

[@edisonobillo3794]

Hey chole! Jw how’s the element upper control arms treating you ? I’m deciding if I should purchase one .

[@spindrift2719]

How are the upper control arm uniball joints holding up

[@JayWelchy]

Still considering a long travel set up on my 14 ..

[@ericx4124]

Maybe a thin coat of that anti sieze or paint where u bent the fender to prevent rust where any coating came off? Thanks for another great vid.

[@franci8766]

A little bit of blue locktite, and plenty of Chloe elbow grease. Great job.

[@tylerferrel308]

I have a 2020 Toyota tacoma zero offset rims. I did a three inch lift already. My question is did installation of these UCS’s cause rubbing on the top of the tire at all? And how much clearance between tire and new UCA

[@mikedesilets3324]

Did your ride quality improve noticably after the UCA install?

[@jimmyj5099]

I'm glad to see you finally got a pair of Mechanix fast fit gloves 🧤 😀. ♥️🌮🐕🐶

[@brandonlee3892]

You mean to say bitch mittens right?

[@jimmyj5099]

@@brandonlee3892 No. That's not what I meant.

[@dannysiriphanthong1405]

What kind of floor Jack are you using?

[@Brian-mg5jz]

Any mod for my tacoma, I installed myself. I was very skeptical about installing some new control arms. You make it look too easy. My only question is will you need an alignment after installing these? I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I've learned a lot so far.

[@dlowebiker]

Good job! Make sure to gusset those spindles and cam tabs!

[@emmanuelruiz7308]

Sorry I’m Just learning here what does gusset mean in terms of this install

[@brandonpiazza4765]

just ordered a set of fox 2.5 coilovers for my tacoma, 0-3". they say they require aftermarket UCAs but if i keep lift under 2, do i still need those? usually thats only if you lift 3 or more?

[@PhoRunner]

Nice job

[@joroboam]

Where can i find the pro eagle jack?

[@TheyCallMeNomad]

When you twin turboing it?

[@jeremyd9579]

Great video, will you need an alignment after doing this?

[@ChloeKuo]

Yes

[@TheAlexnino]

You are incredible

[@paaggs.b]

How is the maintenance on the control arms

[@horaciohdez7491]

occupies alignment after installing them?

[@daneswanson]

Ok, so do these control arms get rid of that upper wheel tilt-out whenever you lift the front of a taco? I mean, are the dimensions on the three mounting points exactly the same as the stock arm? Because if I’m not mistaking,, the geometry says that the new arm should be shorter if it’s going to pull the upper wheel inward. Inquiring minds want to know 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@xanderfloats]

Is your goal to install 35 inch tires or are you staying with 33’s? Would you the Element UCA the best in the market?

[@OutdoorsWonder]

what tire size are you running?

[@allentolbert8404]

Hi CK And Family CK you can do it all amazing let Cody drive stay safe CK GBU And Family😍😍😍😍

[@curtishoward5584]

Same way I doit Chloe. Have no idea why Toyota didn’t leave a little cut out ther for that bolt or just use 2 smaller bolts like 19 $ up Silverado 1500s. Strange. I’m guessing they do all this before the body actually goes on. So they don’t care how much trouble it is for us to remove. Lol.

[@korndawggy1801]

What was the reason for changing them to these?

[@w0310809]

I’d recommend finding a good deadblow mallet if you’re gonna continue with home mods…they are sand or small ball-bearing filled hammer head… little effort more ‘ompf’…

[@nickpark9587]

two things.. why did u install this aftermarket part? did u check to see if the alignment was out of wack after the change?

[@justinrodriguez7214]

holy smokes this is one of the best install videos of seen for any part install period! I knew it was gunna be a good one when she started off showing all the tools necessary then had great shot angles and explanations while going through the motions. well done!

[@ChloeKuo]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@zac2582]

Could anyone explain to me the benefit of doing this upgrade? Excuse my lack of knowledge.

[@1718HULK]

Hello there, I put on 275 70 R 17 on my 22 Tacoma. The tire when I make tight turns rubs against the control arm. I was told if I put a one inch space around. It will rub against the wheel. Well, what can I do? Thank you.

[@Luis-mw8ri]

What made you go with these ucas?