03-16-2020, 02:13 PM
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#16
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Join Date: Jun 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spartacus
Who has had them fail? There is a lot of stuff made in China on these trucks'from factory.
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When I was researching what arms to get before, I saw many many many failure threads because of the design flaw these have. Unless they changed it, there is no support flange to cope with the stress on the joint to the frame. Many other arms have little flange tabs here. Basically where the round housing for the bushing attaches to the arm. And cast metal is brittle vs forged metal.
I've seen photos of people rigging things together with tow straps just to limp home as they snapped.
I'm not linking the failures to China although I am not surprised. But in general, why would I buy something from China when I can get something from the US/Japan/Other? Especially for the same kind of money. Makes no sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theesotericone
When's he last time you heard of SPC's failing? They had an issue ten years ago that's been corrected.
I've got more wheeling miles on mine then most guys ever will and they are still rock solid. I've had spare UBJ's and bushings for them for over a year and have yet to need to install them. In that time I chewed through 2 sets of OEM LBJ's.
I don't think there's anything wrong with JBA. I just think SPC's are a much better arm for our lifted rigs.
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I don't recall the last time. They may be fine now, but again, why would I get something from China when a US version exists? Especially when the Chinese one is almost as, if not more expensive than some US ones haha. Even more especially so for such a critical component.
I've also been wondering why none of the usual US vendors haven't made an adjustable upper arm yet.
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03-17-2020, 06:04 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 18
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Junior Member
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I just received my SPC UCA’s and I will say they look VERY similar to the JBA arms. The ball joint is OEM style and has 80 degrees of flex. I ordered them them Toytec lifts and they get them straight from SPC performance in Longmont,CO. Designed, engineered, tested, and assembled in COLORADO.😀
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03-17-2020, 06:36 AM
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#18
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
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I am pretty happy with my JBA’s. They look great and you get excellent customer service and you can’t beat the price. Improved the ride with the Eibach Pro lift.
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03-17-2020, 06:40 AM
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#19
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Official Vendor
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mtn. Runner
I just received my SPC UCA’s and I will say they look VERY similar to the JBA arms.
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? I've never seen SPCs that look like JBAs - pictures?
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keith
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03-17-2020, 06:43 AM
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#20
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Official Vendor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jross20
Unless they changed it, there is no support flange to cope with the stress on the joint to the frame. Many other arms have little flange tabs here. Basically where the round housing for the bushing attaches to the arm.
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I'm having trouble visualizing why a gusset is needed there at all - there is nothing to limit travel at the pivot, so I'm not sure why that joint would be under stress. Is it possible the failures were because of poor weld penetration?
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03-17-2020, 10:25 AM
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#21
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Making my way to the sticks
Posts: 443
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I can't speak for JBAs. I have talked to forum members and folks on trails who have had their SPCs slip and misalign after flexing all weekend. I personally went with a uniball set up...I'm not disappointed
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03-17-2020, 02:29 PM
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#22
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Vista, CA
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I have JBA UCAs...zero complaints.
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1999 4Runner Limited - 5VZ, 4wd, Factory E-Locker, Multi-Mode, 5-speed swap, Armored, Icons, 295s ( thread)
2001 Tacoma Xtracab - 3RZ, 4wd, 5-speed (Daily Driver)
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03-17-2020, 06:24 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Denver, CO
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google SPC 25460 vs. the JBA arms you can see the design is nearly the same minus the “plate” portion doesn’t extend onto the tubing part with the SPC nor does the SPC have the the little flange tabs. For the price I wish I had looked into JBA a little more but the general consensus seemed to be Total Chaos uniball or SPC adjustable with boot style and I didn’t want a lot of maintenance. Another reason I went with SPC is so I can put it on the “G” setting and move the tire forward.
Last edited by Mtn. Runner; 03-18-2020 at 10:51 AM.
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03-17-2020, 06:41 PM
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#24
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SW Washington
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I’d be surprised if that SPC forging didn’t have nipples that extended into the pipe sections for strength and alignment.
Not that it matters, if they don’t break, then they’re plenty strong for the job.
I’m a little surprised folks are so polarized over upper controll arms. Both products look good to me, but I don’t own either.
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Owned 82, 83, 87 pickup, 98, 99 SR5 4runner
Currently own a 98 SR5, 5spd, 4x4, e-locker, no sunroof. 2012 LTD with the normal options.
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03-18-2020, 11:12 AM
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#25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eimkeith
I'm having trouble visualizing why a gusset is needed there at all - there is nothing to limit travel at the pivot, so I'm not sure why that joint would be under stress. Is it possible the failures were because of poor weld penetration?
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I'm not sure, I think because bushings are not free moving? As in, they are resistive? Struggling to find words...need coffee...
It looks like all of the "better" quality UCA's have these little flanges. It definitely makes mechanical sense to me, perhaps it's just for maximum integrity?
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03-18-2020, 12:28 PM
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#26
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I’m not a mechanical engineer, but I’d expect the sheer strength of the little bolt (uni-ball pin) holding the knuckle to the UCA to be the weak point of that setup regardless of the use of those gussets.
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Owned 82, 83, 87 pickup, 98, 99 SR5 4runner
Currently own a 98 SR5, 5spd, 4x4, e-locker, no sunroof. 2012 LTD with the normal options.
Last edited by Dieselchessy; 03-18-2020 at 12:47 PM.
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03-29-2020, 05:59 AM
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#27
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Join Date: May 2004
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does it say Made in China on the box or on the UCAs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mtn. Runner
I just received my SPC UCA’s and I will say they look VERY similar to the JBA arms. The ball joint is OEM style and has 80 degrees of flex. I ordered them them Toytec lifts and they get them straight from SPC performance in Longmont,CO. Designed, engineered, tested, and assembled in COLORADO.😀
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