Issues with SPC UCAs?

[CajunMikeR]

Had anyone on here run into an issue with their SPC UCAs? I've been chasing a rattle (only on the passenger side, only over potholes) that is driving me nuts. I've removed my front sway bar (not it), changed out the plugs for the splash guards (not it), checked the skid plates and looked for loose gravel (not it), checked torque on the front suspension (not it), etc. Don't feel it in the steering wheel, sounds like a loose hubcap (for those of you old enough to know that sound), and smacking stuff with a dead blow hammer and the passenger side UCA makes that tinny sound.

Doing some searching on the web today and saw that some Taco guys were having issues with bushings, it getting worse in the heat, etc. Has anyone else here had that issue? Do you have a contact at SPC for checking into warranty replacement?

 

[SendInTheCavalry]

I had a issue years ago with a set of SPCs. it kind of sounds like the same as your describing, like something was loose. I would only hear it, or more feel it in the steering wheel when going over large bumps like speed bumps and such. Bumps that would load and quickly unload the suspension.

At first I thought it was the sway bar hitting the radiator support bracket, like metal on metal. I greased it to look for a transfer. I greased the BJs, checked torques, messed with rubber liner bushings, even checked the expansion sleeve on the steering wheel above where your feet are while driving, greased the hood latch and even rubber hood bumpers... if you can't tell it drove me crazy!

One day I trouble shot it by standing on the rock slider and rocking the truck side to side while a friend literally put his hand on every suspension component.

Turns out the bushing was getting loaded and "popping". It wasn't flexing like it should. My friend could "feel" it popping. like someone tapping the UCA with a small hammer. It would reverberate through the entire steering system and could be felt in the steering wheel.

SPC warrantied them BUT I had to ship them back first. They claimed they had a issue with the bushings. I went back to factory UCAs and suspension. Really burnt me out... months of diagnosing, rides with techs, tweaking, alignments.. very frustrating and expensive.

 

[CajunMikeR]

I had a issue years ago with a set of SPCs. it kind of sounds like the same as your describing, like something was loose. I would only hear it, or more feel it in the steering wheel when going over large bumps like speed bumps and such. Bumps that would load and quickly unload the suspension.

That's exactly what mine is doing (noise under rapid load/unload, but not on slower transitions), EXCEPT...I don't feel it in the steering wheel, only hear it...that's why it's making it hard for me to narrow it down to a specific item. It has only started recently (past couple of hundred miles), after being installed for about 7000mi.

 

[Aargh]

I can't post a new thread yet so I'll ask here.

Someone in my town is selling some jba upcs from his 05 Tacoma. Would these be a direct bolt on for my 04 4runner? Are the bushings the same size?

Thanks!