canadiansr5
New member
i see lots of guys posting images of the light racing UCAs that have cracked near the bushing of earlier models. anyone have issues with the 4th gen. version of these??
any problems with 4th gen LR UCAs??
- Thread starter canadiansr5
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Jono.ful
New member
you might have better luck in the 4th gen forum
4th Gen T4Rs - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
4th Gen T4Rs - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
canadiansr5
New member
no from what i understand there have been multiple versions of the LR UCA produced by SPC. the model i have been seeing in most of the pics is different than mine , and since i have what appears to be the most recent version i was just seeing if anyone had issues with those.
harper7
Senior Member
The Light Racing UCA is the same part number (25480) for all 2003-2013 4Runners as the factory UCA design hasn't changed and are interchangeable. But as stated there have been many revisions to the LR UCA over the years but same PN I believe.
The front LCA design was changed in 2010 however.
The front LCA design was changed in 2010 however.
Qjake
New member
I think he means the 4th generation of the LightRacing uca's not the 4th gen 4Runner. :shrug: The latest version has the new spec-ride bushings and seems to be the version that we are seeing the failures at the welds. The earlier versions, it seems, suffered bushing failures.
Last edited:
I just put these UCA's in last week. I have the latest version #4 and of course this thread interest me. I needed them to get some additional caster after a 2.5'' lift. I couldn't have been happier with them until I saw the UCA comparison thread.
I have contacted SPC and expressed my concerns. They told that there haven't been any failures with the latest configuration (2 washers) per control arm with the spec bushing. They also told me that all of the older control arms are upgradeable to the latest configuration.
By every account I have read online SPC has stepped up and did the right thing to make things right. I had a lot of questions and they were all answered to my satisfaction. They are very much aware of the failures that have occurred in the past and seem to be very proactive in addressing the problems. So far I haven't seen any broken UCA photos posted with the latest configuration. The most important thing right now would be to make sure you have your UCAs set up the way they recommend them now.
I wasn't expecting to get the personal attention they gave me when I called. They really do seem to be committed to there customers.
I have contacted SPC and expressed my concerns. They told that there haven't been any failures with the latest configuration (2 washers) per control arm with the spec bushing. They also told me that all of the older control arms are upgradeable to the latest configuration.
By every account I have read online SPC has stepped up and did the right thing to make things right. I had a lot of questions and they were all answered to my satisfaction. They are very much aware of the failures that have occurred in the past and seem to be very proactive in addressing the problems. So far I haven't seen any broken UCA photos posted with the latest configuration. The most important thing right now would be to make sure you have your UCAs set up the way they recommend them now.
I wasn't expecting to get the personal attention they gave me when I called. They really do seem to be committed to there customers.
Qjake
New member
I'm pretty sure the pictures you are seeing in that thread, specifically Here and Here, are the latest version from Light Racing.
It's good to hear that SPC is standing behind their product and replacing them for free but my concern is what happens when one fails while I'm cruising down the highway at 75 with my daughter in the truck?
Pretty sure I'm going to go with the Camburg/Moog ball joint arms ASAP!
It's good to hear that SPC is standing behind their product and replacing them for free but my concern is what happens when one fails while I'm cruising down the highway at 75 with my daughter in the truck?
Pretty sure I'm going to go with the Camburg/Moog ball joint arms ASAP!
Last edited:
I have the same concerns. I looked at your build (nice by the way). It shows yours came with the 8 washers. I hope you removed the inner washers by now. Since that is what they are saying that causes the failures.
phillyd2
Senior Member
I'm not sure that is true. I have not yet heard of issues with the latest bushings. I have the new bushing kit but not yet installed.
Corrections appreciated as many of us have them installed.
Qjake
New member
Interesting. That's the first I've heard concerning the washers. What is the theory behind that? That the washers cause the bushing to bind which in turn doesn't allow the outer sleeve to move? Also the washers are an 1/8" thick, so taking out the two would leave 1/4" of slack. Without the proper length inner sleeve just tightening them down would cause the arm to bend inward which certainly would cause unwanted stress elsewhere in the arm.
And Thanks
Interesting. That's the first I've heard concerning the washers. What is the theory behind that? That the washers cause the bushing to bind which in turn doesn't allow the outer sleeve to move? Also the washers are an 1/8" thick, so taking out the two would leave 1/4" of slack. Without the proper length inner sleeve just tightening them down would cause the arm to bend inward which certainly would cause unwanted stress elsewhere in the arm.
And Thanks
Thats what I was told and I asked about the gap as well. They told me that the arms are designed to be pulled in a little when the long bolt is tightened.
Qjake
New member
I guess we need some clarification on which is the latest. If you look at mine which have the new Spec-Ride bushings they are identical to both sets shown in the photos of the failed arms.
Irregardless of which is which I feel it's probably best to err on the side of caution and replace them before a possible catastrophic failure.
Qjake
New member
Last edited:
Qjake
New member
Here's a great post from [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] that details the four versions of the LightRacing uca's. Not sure how I missed this on my first read through of the thread. 
Seems I have version 2 with the the recent changes being with the sleeve/washer set-up.
[MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION], Dave did your bushing kit include this longer sleeve/washer set-up?
Seems I have version 2 with the the recent changes being with the sleeve/washer set-up.[MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION], Dave did your bushing kit include this longer sleeve/washer set-up?
Last edited:
aha2988
New member
The previous versions that used 4 washers per UCA were the problematic control arms. The inner washers caused the bushings to bind. This would either cause the nut on the long UCA bolt to come loose (multiple reports of loosing that nut) as well cause tension enough to crack or break the welds. If you have this version of their setup just contact SPC they will send you a bushing kit to bring you back up to the latest version. No issues have been reported since the change.
Similar threads
