Cognito Upper Arms. Replacement joints

[DoughBallin14]

Hey guys i know a lot of us have leveled or lifted duramax trucks and a popular choice has always been the Cognito Motorsports upper control arms.

I have had my set for over 200k miles on my truck and been through my share of replacement upper ball joints. Before 2010 the best replacements that actually lasted longer then 10k miles were the Napa/Raybestos/spicer replacements. Then they were purchased by Mogul/Moog and since then i had been stuck using Moog K6292 problem solver joints which are technically for(1988-1998 c/k1500, 2500, Suburban/Escalade etc) and i would have a good one and some bad ones. Very inconsistent and wouldnt last 6months but i just kept getting them exchanged under warranty. I tried ACDelco, Vatozone, Rareparts, Napa and they are all made by Mogul/Moog.
So now i have found these through many searches and a buddy who has a shop and uses this company’s other products.
Company name is Mevotech part number TXK6292
Its their top level part i guess. I got them off RockAuto for 28$ a piece. So far i have had them a year and almost 18k miles on them and they feel tight and the boots are soft still and no grease spooge on the outside.
They feel heavier then moog, i like that the boot is larger and more integrated on the joint, the degree of motive seems the same, also i really enjoyed that all the mounting bolt are linked together vs separate nuts and bolt like the moog joints.

here are some pictures feel free to ask some questions but figured I would share if anyone is needing to replace their upper ball joints

 

[BigRedBryan]

Good info to know, thanks for the post.

 

[pronstar]

Have you considered the Icon Deltajoint? They make retrofit kits so they can be used with aftermarket UCA’s.

It’s sealed and greaseable...45k miles on mine, still going strong. But it’s a 1500 not a duramax.

Not reading about any issues, mostly positives, on various forums, but it’s a small sample size.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[DoughBallin14]

Have you considered the Icon Deltajoint? They make retrofit kits so they can be used with aftermarket UCA’s.

It’s sealed and greaseable...45k miles on mine, still going strong. But it’s a 1500 not a duramax.

Not reading about any issues, mostly positives, on various forums, but it’s a small sample size.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ya i think awhile back i looked into it but i dont recall if i needed to buy different arms because the cognito ones are bolt in joints and the icon delta joints are uniball style pressed in.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Ya i think awhile back i looked into it but i dont recall if i needed to buy different arms because the cognito ones are bolt in joints and the icon delta joints are uniball style pressed in.

I have the cognito uniball arms. I have replaced the uniball once. They hold up really well.

 

[DoughBallin14]

I have the cognito uniball arms. I have replaced the uniball once. They hold up really well.

Nice i have heard good things as well. The came out with those uniball option arms like 3 years after i got my original ones. Surprised someone hasnt made a bolt in cradle that would hold a uniball for the older cognito arms.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Someone may have. A company built a torsion bar delete kit to run a king coil, with the cognito 4" kit. Looks amazing. If I had endless funds I would do it. But, hard to pay for a lift after paying for a lift. And utilizing 99% of the original. Adding new lower arms, a shock tower and the coil. Perhaps in time I will do it.

 

[DoughBallin14]

Someone may have. A company built a torsion bar delete kit to run a king coil, with the cognito 4" kit. Looks amazing. If I had endless funds I would do it. But, hard to pay for a lift after paying for a lift. And utilizing 99% of the original. Adding new lower arms, a shock tower and the coil. Perhaps in time I will do it. View attachment 938287 View attachment 938288

Ohhh ya i hav seen that before and looks really sweet and bet it rides great but tough to think of that coin to go that way haha.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Ohhh ya i hav seen that before and looks really sweet and bet it rides great but tough to think of that coin to go that way haha.

I've got bigger priorities at the moment. But, like I said, maybe one day.

What year is your truck? If it is the one in your avatar we have very similar looking trucks.

 

[Cdog]

I replaced the cognito upper BJ’s with Kryptonite uppers about 20k ago. I run the same cognito UCA’s on my LBZ.

last time for me though. Truck gets sold on the 20th to make way for my 2021-f350

 

[Justsomeguy]

I replaced the cognito uppers with Kryptonite uppers about 20k ago. I run the same cognito UCA’s on my LBZ.

last time for me though. Truck gets sold on the 20th to make way for my 2021-f350

Straight axel. Much more dependable on these heavy trucks.

 

[Cdog]

Straight axel. Much more dependable on these heavy trucks.

my first Ford. Fingers crossed

 

[Justsomeguy]

There are a lot of them out there. You should be fine. Ford is usually head of gm on tech. So I imagine you will like all the creature comforts. But as I like to point t out to my buddy, I still had more cup holders. which matters in no way, but we always had a good laugh about it. It is a lot less complicated to level that is for sure.

 

[BONER]

Vatozone Lol

 

[DoughBallin14]

I've got bigger priorities at the moment. But, like I said, maybe one day.

What year is your truck? If it is the one in your avatar we have very similar looking trucks.

Its a 2008 bought it in 09 with 10k on it and leveled it and added every brace and support possible at the time. Ditched the tie rods and pit in a complete 1” heim joint system which as been perfect, As well as sullastic shackles in the back. Delete, tuned, pcv rerouted, egr blocked, and she has been truckin along for a long time haha.

Just found that my cognito idler support bracket is cracked also. They are replacing it no problem though

 

[ultra26shadow]

I hate my cognito UCA’s I wish I would have went with CST. I have had problems with them since install. I don’t drive the truck much so maybe that’s why I haven’t changed them out.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I hate my cognito UCA’s I wish I would have went with CST. I have had problems with them since install. I don’t drive the truck much so maybe that’s why I haven’t changed them out.

Not the first time I have heard this. Some people had issues with the bushings I belive it was. There was a big deal about something on the forums, I believe cognito was issuing replacements with specific install instruction, but its been a long time since I did the research. So I could be off on that.

 

[DoughBallin14]

I hate my cognito UCA’s I wish I would have went with CST. I have had problems with them since install. I don’t drive the truck much so maybe that’s why I haven’t changed them out.

I had heard the same thing at some point back in the day along with having faulty ball joints. I had heard the replaced them if someone contacted them.
i have heard of other brands also having bushing issues on their arms also but as far as everything else goes they are all steel and welded in a jig, not much can be different from brand to brand. Its a simple piece. I havent had any issues besides ball joints wearing out over the years. Which most brands use the same ball joint.

 

[ultra26shadow]

Not the first time I have heard this. Some people had issues with the bushings I belive it was. There was a big deal about something on the forums, I believe cognito was issuing replacements with specific install instruction, but its been a long time since I did the research. So I could be off on that.

Yep mine still squeak like a motel 6 bed. Even after replacement. I have about 35k on them

 

[Justsomeguy]

Its a 2008 bought it in 09 with 10k on it and leveled it and added every brace and support possible at the time. Ditched the tie rods and pit in a complete 1” heim joint system which as been perfect, As well as sullastic shackles in the back. Delete, tuned, pcv rerouted, egr blocked, and she has been truckin along for a long time haha.

Just found that my cognito idler support bracket is cracked also. They are replacing it no problem though View attachment 938293 View attachment 938294 View attachment 938296 View attachment 938297

Nice! I love that heim steering. I have a 2012, never found that set up for it. I just run thr cognito HD rods. Of course the bracing also.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Yep mine still squeak like a motel 6 bed. Even after replacement. I have about 35k on them

Im really sorry to hear that. Like with anything, there is always going to be a few that something just wasn't built quite right. I guess it depends on what cognito does in response to rectify the situation that matters most.

Mine will make a little sound if I neglect lubrication a little to long on the arms. Throw some grease and they are good. I've been really impressed with my kit. It lived in the snow, Salt, constant rain and washboard roads. It has never skipped a beat.

 

[DoughBallin14]

Yep mine still squeak like a motel 6 bed. Even after replacement. I have about 35k on them

Haha a motel 6 bed!! Lol that one got me. I recall mine squeaked the first couple 100 miles but since then i have just kept them loaded up with Maxima Blue waterproof grease or lucas red and tacky grease.

 

[DoughBallin14]

Nice! I love that heim steering. I have a 2012, never found that set up for it. I just run thr cognito HD rods. Of course the bracing also. View attachment 938301 View attachment 938302 View attachment 938303

Looks clean and the heim system has been great for me running 35/12.5 toyos forever. I see you dont have the steering damper on there either. For some reason i always noticed they stopped putting them on from the factory after 2011 but everything is still there.

 

[Tank]

I have cognitive upper arms and all that jazz on my 05 Duramax. I bought it from Andy on here and he’d already done it. My question is: I’m thinking of lifting it. Can I keep the cognito upper arms when I lift it or do I have to get new ones?

I’m on the fence about lifting it since it is absolutely the best riding truck I’ve ever owned and gets killer gas mileage. So, don’t know if I’ll do it for sure but I would like to.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I have cognitive upper arms and all that jazz on my 05 Duramax. I bought it from Andy on here and he’d already done it. My question is: I’m thinking of lifting it. Can I keep the cognito upper arms when I lift it or do I have to get new ones?

I’m on the fence about lifting it since it is absolutely the best riding truck I’ve ever owned and gets killer gas mileage. So, don’t know if I’ll do it for sure but I would like to.

You can keep the arms and most of thr other steering components.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Looks clean and the heim system has been great for me running 35/12.5 toyos forever. I see you dont have the steering damper on there either. For some reason i always noticed they stopped putting them on from the factory after 2011 but everything is still there.

It actually doesn't fit with the PISK kit. But I had one on that i dropped lower. It blew out. I just haven't put. New one on.

 

[DoughBallin14]

It actually doesn't fit with the PISK kit. But I had one on that i dropped lower. It blew out. I just haven't put. New one on.

Ah yes thats right. I forgot about that part. I know how it is ha i had a glow plug go bad and had it ready to install for about 6 months ha i guess the engine light didnt bother me enough to take the wheel liner off and replace it. Until yesterday lol

 

[Flying_Lavey]

My buddies at LSK has developed a coilover replacement kit for the 2500HD''s

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[evantwheeler]

Its a 2008 bought it in 09 with 10k on it and leveled it and added every brace and support possible at the time. Ditched the tie rods and pit in a complete 1” heim joint system which as been perfect, As well as sullastic shackles in the back. Delete, tuned, pcv rerouted, egr blocked, and she has been truckin along for a long time haha.

Just found that my cognito idler support bracket is cracked also. They are replacing it no problem though View attachment 938293 View attachment 938294 View attachment 938296 View attachment 938297

Looks nice! What are your thoughts on the Sulastic Shackles? Worth it? Any bad side effects? The reviews seem to be pretty mixed on if they are worth the coin or not.

 

[DEEZNUTS]

Someone on RDP works for cognito. @bagged97taco maybe?

 

[bagged97taco]

Someone on RDP works for cognito. @bagged97taco maybe?

Nope not me. Sorry

 

[DoughBallin14]

Looks nice! What are your thoughts on the Sulastic Shackles? Worth it? Any bad side effects? The reviews seem to be pretty mixed on if they are worth the coin or not.

I would say they are good i did notice a bit of difference in ride quality and I haven’t noticed any problems over the years, i also have a set of cal tracs on this truck and they make some noise but all in all i like the shackles. My dad has a set on his 92 f250 longbed and it made a bigger difference then my truck

 

[ka0tyk]

Someone may have. A company built a torsion bar delete kit to run a king coil, with the cognito 4" kit. Looks amazing. If I had endless funds I would do it. But, hard to pay for a lift after paying for a lift. And utilizing 99% of the original. Adding new lower arms, a shock tower and the coil. Perhaps in time I will do it. View attachment 938287 View attachment 938288

buddy of mine built similar... ditched the torsion and replaced with a bag. claims its night and day difference.

 

[Justsomeguy]

buddy of mine built similar... ditched the torsion and replaced with a bag. claims its night and day difference.

View attachment 938570

Nice! If I delete though I want a nice king coil up front. Just personal preference.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

buddy of mine built similar... ditched the torsion and replaced with a bag. claims its night and day difference.

View attachment 938570

Nice! If I delete though I want a nice king coil up front. Just personal preference.

Definitely can't do a bag set-up with 4wd. You can tell from the orientation of the bag mount and lower knuckle pivot that kit is for a 2wd truck. No place for the half shaft to run.

 

[DEEZNUTS]

Nope not me. Sorry

I think its @Chris Lapoint

At least I got red flat bottom correct

 

[Riverbound]

BDS makes a coil over kit to delete the torsion bars. I’m going with the suspension max level kit with bilsteins and if I’m not happy with that will go to the bad kit.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

BDS makes a coil over kit to delete the torsion bars. I’m going with the suspension max level kit with bilsteins and if I’m not happy with that will go to the bad kit.

Give LSK a call if you do decide to go that route. They are friends of mine and make some badass stuff.

 

[Justsomeguy]

BDS makes a coil over kit to delete the torsion bars. I’m going with the suspension max level kit with bilsteins and if I’m not happy with that will go to the bad kit.

The bds came out after I had already done mine. Or I would have.

Give LSK a call if you do decide to go that route. They are friends of mine and make some badass stuff.

I talked to them. They did a guy I know, Scott's truck. They were looking for a truck to mock the new kit with. But he wanted it completely stock. I already had upper arms, knuckles, and a drop bracket. Otherwise, I would have done it.

 

[ka0tyk]

Definitely can't do a bag set-up with 4wd. You can tell from the orientation of the bag mount and lower knuckle pivot that kit is for a 2wd truck. No place for the half shaft to run.

yeah its a lowered truck... but was mostly going for "torsion sucks..." i can also see why they cost a fortune. theres a lot of stuff going on in that one part. when you switch to a spring does a new mount need to be welded to the frame or does it reuse the shock mount? I know my shock mount looks pretty sketchy to have the weight of the vehicle sitting on it and the force going up/down.

 

[Justsomeguy]

yeah its a lowered truck... but was mostly going for "torsion sucks..." i can also see why they cost a fortune. theres a lot of stuff going on in that one part. when you switch to a spring does a new mount need to be welded to the frame or does it reuse the shock mount? I know my shock mount looks pretty sketchy to have the weight of the vehicle sitting on it and the force going up/down.

If memory serves me correctly that LSK kit comes with a shock tower that is bolted to the frame. I have zero issues trusting it. It is a solid piece.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Its actually welded. I stand corrected. Still a solid piece.

 

[evantwheeler]

If memory serves me correctly that LSK kit comes with a shock tower that is bolted to the frame. I have zero issues trusting it. It is a solid piece.

The BDS kit has a bolt-on upper coilover mount. They actually sell a kit to retrofit on a lifted truck if you already have a BDS drop bracket kit. Considered going this route as I already have a 6" fabtech kit and don't want to buy all the unnecessary brackets, but not sure if the kit will work with non BDS product. Of course they'll tell you it won't, but not sure if I want to guinea pig it.

Chevrolet/GMC 2500HD/3500HD 4.5"/6.5" Coilover Upgrade Kit 01-10

Chevrolet/GMC 2500HD/3500HD 4.5"/6.5" Coilover Upgrade Kit 01-10 BDS Suspension adds to its lineup of coilover options with new coilover conversion upgrade kits for the '01-10 Chevy/GMC 1500HD/2500HD/3500HD trucks and 2500 (8-lug model) SUVs. These kits join the BDS 4.5" and 6.5" complete...

4x4.fatbobsgarage.com

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1905-2001-2010-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-2500hd-coilover-conversion-part-1/

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1907-2001-2010-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-2500hd-coilover-conversion-part-2-2/

 

[Flying_Lavey]

yeah its a lowered truck... but was mostly going for "torsion sucks..." i can also see why they cost a fortune. theres a lot of stuff going on in that one part. when you switch to a spring does a new mount need to be welded to the frame or does it reuse the shock mount? I know my shock mount looks pretty sketchy to have the weight of the vehicle sitting on it and the force going up/down.

If memory serves me correctly that LSK kit comes with a shock tower that is bolted to the frame. I have zero issues trusting it. It is a solid piece.

View attachment 938578
Its actually welded. I stand corrected. Still a solid piece.

They really don't like doing bolt-on shock towers as there are just too many variables with them and the strength isn't always the best (could be argued the same point for both, just what Van has told me their perspective is on it). The original test kit was installed on Aaron's truck (one of the owners) and I have heard zero complaints from him about it. I've known Van since he was about 6 and Aaron since he was a sophomore in high school. I can't think of a single company I'd trust more for components for my truck.

 

[evantwheeler]

They really don't like doing bolt-on shock towers as there are just too many variables with them and the strength isn't always the best (could be argued the same point for both, just what Van has told me their perspective is on it). The original test kit was installed on Aaron's truck (one of the owners) and I have heard zero complaints from him about it. I've known Van since he was about 6 and Aaron since he was a sophomore in high school. I can't think of a single company I'd trust more for components for my truck.

I like their kit a lot, but its for non-lifted trucks. Seems to really limit their market.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I like their kit a lot, but its for non-lifted trucks. Seems to really limit their market.

If you have a drop bracket lift that uses the stock upper arm mounts then it should be just a matter of getting a longer shock. Give them a call and talk to them. I bet you can either just run a longer shock, or extended rod ends on the shock.

 

[DoughBallin14]

Well update on my broken idler support bracket from Cognito. I emailed them sunday nighta photo and said its broke ha. Got back to me around 10am said whats my address and just got a tracking number and it will be here tomorrow! Simple and easy customer service. Mind you the support brace was purchased in 2009. Shipping is quick also since i am in socal like then

 

[DarthDookietron]

@DoughBallin14 how are those Mevotechs holding up? I'm currently fabricating some custom control arms and I'm considering using that 4 bolt design for Mevotech TTX BJs.
I'd like to know if you still like them after a few months of use. And, more importantly, do you know what the range of motion is on those things? JBA makes a 6292-style BJ with that same 4-bolt mounting pattern. They claim it gets 90° range of motion. Having some idea of the range of motion of the Mevotech would make the math concerning my suspension travel a lot easier on this build.

 

[DoughBallin14]

@DoughBallin14 how are those Mevotechs holding up? I'm currently fabricating some custom control arms and I'm considering using that 4 bolt design for Mevotech TTX BJs.
I'd like to know if you still like them after a few months of use. And, more importantly, do you know what the range of motion is on those things? JBA makes a 6292-style BJ with that same 4-bolt mounting pattern. They claim it gets 90° range of motion. Having some idea of the range of motion of the Mevotech would make the math concerning my suspension travel a lot easier on this build.

So far so good its been over a year and around 21 22k miles on them now and so far so good no slop or torn boots steering and suspension sound seems the same as new to me. Hard to say how much they have loosened up without taking them out off the a arms. Usually by now i can feel some slop just by getting the tire off the ground and shaking them at 12 and 6 o clock. I just rotated tires maybe 2 weeks ago so i did the feel check and all good.
Honestly i cannot say what the max angle degree is of the joints but the range of motion seem comparable to all the others i have used in the past.
The JBAs are nice i have looked at them before and nice they are rebuildable if needed at a decent price

 

[DarthDookietron]

Thanks a lot for the input. I went and bought a TTX joint for the work F250 to see if it was something I wanted to use in my offroad trail build. It is an absolutely stunning part and I'm wondering if it is a loss leader line for MevoTech... Maybe they are trying to jam their way into the superpremium market and are willing to reduce immediate profit while getting there. These things can't be earning them more than a few percent profit. They are as overbuilt as any premium part I've ever seen. I was laughing to myself when holding them up next to a Moog Problem Solver BJ. It's not even fair.

With that being said, I think I'm going to build my own UniBall Joints with HCOM16 bearings and high misalignment spacers for the trail rig. The TTX are definitely my new go-to BJs for any siyuation where I need a strong part for a *standard range of motion*, but this build is going to put abnormal amounts of movement and stress on my suspension components, so I'll just need to get the UniBall assembly to fit nice and snug into the various 6292 BJ housings. This should give me over 100° of articulation if I can execute it the way my drawings show it can be done.

After much research on those MevoTech TTX joints though, I highly recommend to anyone that wants overbuilt parts to look into them. They are just bigger, thicker, sturdier joints than anything else on the market. Suspensions are unique and vary from vehicle to vehicle, so if you're having repeated problems with one joint in a specific location these could solve it for you.
Sure, Moog has powdered metal bearings and some proprietary tech that I love. But MevoTech TTX have a much larger diameter sintered ball, thicker studs, sturdier rings and plates, and the best quality boots I've ever seen in person.