2018 4runner with Toytec Boss/Blistein Aluma 2.0 3” lift w/SPC UCA’s.

Use the truck for off-roading on a somewhat regular basis and this is the second set of these things that have developed play after off and on road use. I’ve barely put 30k on the truck in the time since I first installed the whole lift.

Has anyone else had bad luck with the SPC UCA’s? I like the fact that I was able to get my front wheels to not rub since the caster angle could be reset, but if these UCA’s were designed for posers who just want the lifted look and not for actual off-road use, I am denouncing SPC as the new Rough Country in terms of subpar quality.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Never had issues with mine on my Tacoma. I purchased a set but haven't installed them on my Runner. I know at some point there was a bad batch.

Almost 60k on mine and zero issues.

I haven’t heard much bad press about them so that’s why both me and the guys in the shop that installed them were baffled. SPC does have good CS so hopefully they give me a credit because after 2 sets I just don’t have faith in them anymore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With off-road use?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have 50k on mine with lots of off-road use and no issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've got about 80,000 miles and I do off road quite a bit. What exactly failed on them?

First set had side to side play in the bushings. Replaced under warranty.

Noticed a popping sound when turning my steering wheel at low speeds which I thought was a tie rod. Brought it into the shop for an alignment and mentioned the pop. Turned out to be the second set but they didn’t say what was specifically causing it. Only that they were going to open a case with SPC and work on getting me a credit towards a different brand of UCAs. Truck left the shop without getting aligned.

Seems like I either got 2 bad sets or their quality is going down the drain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting that popping symptom. I'd like to know more about what was going on there.
Quite some time ago there was some issues with the bushings and something in the ball joint design IIRC. They changed the design and I hadn't heard much since then. That was probably '15 or around that time. I don't know if that could have affected you. I had a set installed in '13 and the shop I used at the time got me a new set for free in '16 under the guise of "failure".


If I was going to run something else I'd consider Dirt King ball joint UCA's

I’ll ask when I they call me for an update. And they were installed in 2020 and the second set in 2022 so definitely beyond the redesign.

Thanks for the recommendation for Dirt King!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Was watching a youtube video the other day and guy was unboxing his new SPCs and box was clearly marked: "Made in China". Don't recall the age of that video though.

My SPC's started making noise less than a year after install. It turned out to be a bad bushing on the passenger side arm. I've seen complaints from other people that had the same issue that had theirs fixed or replaced under warranty only to run into the same issues again. I was worried about that so I figured I was better off going with a different brand rather than pay for shipping and multiple alignments. I removed the SPC's and installed JBA's a few months ago and they've been great so far. To be fair, I'm guessing that there are probably more people running SPC UCA's than any other brand so there's bound to be more threads popping up about issues with them.

I was initially going to go with SPC’s, but my off road shop talked me into Nolathane UCA’s. Just got these installed last month with my new extended travel Radflo’s. No tire clearance problems with positive offset wheels. Time will tell. Attached is a link. Nolathane Upper Control Arms for your lifted 4x4
Features:
Fixed camber & caster rectification (for typical 2 inch lift)
Non-adjustable meaning no slipping.
Built tough utilising 1020 grade forged ball joint housing, forged end-rings and 1020 DOM tubing with 360º welds.
Heavy duty, greaseable, chromoly ball joints with increased articulation for improved travel and minimal binding.
GIIRO – the ultimate touring bushing with increased articulation while being lubrication and maintenance free.

Attached Images

 

Yes sir!!

SPC installed 11/16 - needed a new drivers side 11/2018. I probably could have greased them more often- I chalk this one up to me.

Installed 2 new BJ's 11/21 and now year later they are toast- this set I greased every 5k (on my oil change schedule), to avoid having issues again.
Not super pumped - shop that was going to do alignment today told me get OME or Icon for longevity.

Looked again at the mileage- lift install at 30k, now at 130k. So within that 100k miles I am now going to be installing ball joints #6 & #7. Only needed 1 in 2018 hence the odd number.

I see something else like JBA in the future for me.