I took a printed copy of this picture out to my truck for comparison. My control arm is at about the same angle, definitely not any more of an angle.

I appreciate the pic for comparison.

 

Upon further investigation, I can move the right UCA alot. I am ordering both UCA replacements right now and I will replace them as soon as they arrive. I also want to inspect the idler arm(?), pitman arm(?) and LCA's for wear and tear. Am I forgetting anything?

 

CV joints? How are those angles looking?

 

I'll try and snap a quick picture tonight before league.

 

Will I need to get an alignment after I replace the UCA's?

 

Yes, but you're not replacing the entire control arm, are you?

 

I am under the impression that you have to replace the entire upper control arm the first time around.

If I understood my research, which has been questionable lately, the uppers had to, initially, be replaced as a whole unit. This allowed for future ball joint repairs to be reduced to just the ball joint. The lowers, on the other hand, were designed to replace just the ball joint itself right from the get-go.

Please correct me if I'm wrong

 

Excellent question, and I don't know the answer. Let's see who chimes in. Either way you will need an alignment.

 

Stk uca is is sold complete.Arm & joint.

Correct on the lowers.

 

although its a nissan, i found a very informative video about independent front suspensions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzVSsykb_rI