SPCs need ball joints. Repair or move on?

[Argyle Edison]

These spc uppers were on the 4R when I bought it used years ago. The ball joints in them are toasted and I’m seeing them for about $160 pair.

I’m unsure if I want to just fix them, or go another route. The adjustability of the SPC could be nice, if alignment techs knew what they were doing with them....but they don’t. And the local off road shop never even heard of them. And unfortunately, I can’t do the alignment myself.

So rather than deal with this pita every single time, I’m thinking of just getting some Dobinsons, JBA, or Freedom units (that are just a bit more than the ball joints alone).

I have a two inch lift and run larger wheels & tires so I don't want to put stock UCAs.

What would you guys do?

P.s. I don’t really do any hard wheelin, just absolutely horrible roads and trails.

 

[Argyle Edison]

Interesting, I thought for sure somebody would have an opinion on this or had dealt with a similar situation before

 

[Jetboy]

I would probably just replace the ball joints. There's got to be an alignment shop near you who can set them correctly. It's really not that difficult. And the cost of new BJs is going to be cheaper than any other option.

 

[[email protected]]

Definitely just replace the ball joints and be done.

 

[comtn4x4]

I agree with everyone else. The cost to replace the UCA will be much higher than the ball joints considering much of the work has to be done in either situation. And at a minimum a new set of high caster UCA's would be 3-4 times more than the ball joints.

 

[Daikon]

Many aftermarket UCA's are designed so you can replace the ball joints. It's a wear and tear part.

These spc uppers were on the 4R when I bought it used years ago. The ball joints in them are toasted and I’m seeing them for about $160 pair.

I’m unsure if I want to just fix them, or go another route. The adjustability of the SPC could be nice, if alignment techs knew what they were doing with them....but they don’t. And the local off road shop never even heard of them. And unfortunately, I can’t do the alignment myself.

So rather than deal with this pita every single time, I’m thinking of just getting some Dobinsons, JBA, or Freedom units (that are just a bit more than the ball joints alone).

I have a two inch lift and run larger wheels & tires so I don't want to put stock UCAs.

What would you guys do?

P.s. I don’t really do any hard wheelin, just absolutely horrible roads and trails.

 

[usdmej]

I’m unsure if I want to just fix them, or go another route. The adjustability of the SPC could be nice, if alignment techs knew what they were doing with them....but they don’t. And the local off road shop never even heard of them. And unfortunately, I can’t do the alignment myself.

SPC is a huge company, they make quality OE and aftermarket parts and also work closely with mechanics and alignment shops. you should be very weary of a shop that hasn't heard of them


just replace your ball joints but more importantly find a better alignment shop

 

[Argyle Edison]

SPC is a huge company, they make quality OE and aftermarket parts and also work closely with mechanics and alignment shops. you should be very weary of a shop that hasn't heard of them


just replace your ball joints but more importantly find a better alignment shop

I agree with all of you about the costs.

The alignment is a problem though. I have called the "off road" shops around here (all two of them lol), and countless shops scattered around in this tiny state (I've been in RI for 48 years), and no one seems to understand the configuration of these UCAs and how the caster can be adjusted by rotating the balljoint assembly.

So I print out the directions from the SPC website and present it to them when I show up for alignment. This is not ideal.

Not sure what choice I have. Much like tire work, it's just not equipment I have. fwiw, I have been a mechanic my entire life (military and civ) in some form or fashion.

So, with that said, I figured if I got a set of arms with "fixed" caster...it would be easier

Thanks for the help

 

[usdmej]

So, with that said, I figured if I got a set of arms with "fixed" caster...it would be easier

it doesn't seem like it would change your situation since in both cases the shop is not doing anything about adjusting your caster.

it would be worth it to find a shop that's further away and more knowledgeable to get your UCAs rebuilt. that way, when they're apart, you can specify the caster setting you want and ask them to reinstall at your desired setting

 

[comtn4x4]

I agree with all of you about the costs.

The alignment is a problem though. I have called the "off road" shops around here (all two of them lol), and countless shops scattered around in this tiny state (I've been in RI for 48 years), and no one seems to understand the configuration of these UCAs and how the caster can be adjusted by rotating the balljoint assembly.

So I print out the directions from the SPC website and present it to them when I show up for alignment. This is not ideal.

Not sure what choice I have. Much like tire work, it's just not equipment I have. fwiw, I have been a mechanic my entire life (military and civ) in some form or fashion.

So, with that said, I figured if I got a set of arms with "fixed" caster...it would be easier

Thanks for the help

I have had better luck with big name shops giving me a good alignment than some 4x4 "specialty" shops. Firestone and Big O Tires have been good to me. As far as getting the ball joint set in the correct position for your setup that should be a one time thing. After that all the adjustment would be in the more traditional fashion. As was said, if you are hitting multiple shops that can't adjust standard caster that's crazy.

 

[LandCruiser]

If they're the older two piece SPC UCAs, those were prone to breaking so I'd replace them.

 

[badattitude]

I dont use them, but the dobinsons and Icon UCAs have a protected ball joint. It will last longer, not get buggered up with salt ect.

Dobinsons Front Upper Control Arm Kit (UCA's) for Toyota FJ Cruiser, 4 – Dobinsons Direct

must be lifted to use these...

 

[mteolus]

I dont use them, but the dobinsons and Icon UCAs have a protected ball joint. It will last longer, not get buggered up with salt ect.

Dobinsons Front Upper Control Arm Kit (UCA's) for Toyota FJ Cruiser, 4 – Dobinsons Direct

must be lifted to use these...

If you grease the SPC ball joint every oil change they will be fine.

 

[Argyle Edison]

I have had better luck with big name shops giving me a good alignment than some 4x4 "specialty" shops. Firestone and Big O Tires have been good to me. As far as getting the ball joint set in the correct position for your setup that should be a one time thing. After that all the adjustment would be in the more traditional fashion. As was said, if you are hitting multiple shops that can't adjust standard caster that's crazy.

The general alignment isn't an issue so much as the setting of the caster with that unique rotation of the balljoint assembly. That seems to baffle techs :shrug:

It's pretty difficult finding quality mechanics for anything, outside of standard wrenching, around here. There really isn't much of a motorsport atmosphere in this part of the country. I have to drive 3 hrs to the nearest drag strip, 4 to the circle track or road course, off-roading is all but choked off completely, so you have to leave the state for anything legit. Most people think driving on the beach is hardcore lol

So I tend to do all my own work and fabrication. There just a few things I cannot do in my garage. I could align my old jeeps with a tape measure, but that's different

 

[Argyle Edison]

If they're the older two piece SPC UCAs, those were prone to breaking so I'd replace them.

I think these are later than those, but I'm not exactly sure. Like I said, they were on it when I bought it years ago.

Here's a couple picks:shrug:

 

[LandCruiser]

Those are the old style, you can see they are two pieces welded together and prone to catastrophic breakage. I threw them out and replaced them with the new style. They are filthy but you can see if they are designed completely different.

 

[Argyle Edison]

Those are the old style, you can see they are two pieces welded together and prone to catastrophic breakage. I threw them out and replaced them with the new style. They are filthy but you can see if they are designed completely different.

Well, that changes things. I'm all set with catastrophic failure, so these are getting shitcanned.

Does anyone have an issue with the Freedom Arms ?

The few threads I read on them seemed as if they were holding up pretty well.

 

[Jetboy]

Well, that changes things. I'm all set with catastrophic failure, so these are getting shitcanned.

Does anyone have an issue with the Freedom Arms ?

The few threads I read on them seemed as if they were holding up pretty well.

The problem I have with them is that freedom offroad is just an importer. They don't design, fabricate, or even own any vehicles that I know of. It's a warehouse that just imports and sells cheap chinese made products. I bought a pair of ebay chinese arms early on - and they broke catastrophically. They were spherical bearings and the misalignment spacers that should be stainless steel - were cast aluminum. Yeah - that's a big deal when it's the only thing holding your spindle to the control arm. Lots of people have had good luck with the ebay arms. And they're great - until you get one of the ones that someone swaps in a different metal part. And the seller is just an importer/reseller.

Freedom uses a ball joint of unknown origin or size. So it may be better than the design I had. It can't be much worse. I find it very troubling that they can't even tell you what ball joint they use - what make, model, size or anything. So if you end up in this situation down the road - what ball joint would you buy to replace the current ones?

And if you're willing to run unknown chinese arms - just buy them direct on alibaba. You can buy the same pair of arms they sell for $150 or so. Off Road Suspension Lower 4x4 Upper Control Arm Shock Absorbers For Prado - Buy Suspension Arm For Tacoma,Lower Control Arm For Prado,Lower Control Arm For Hilux Product on Alibaba.com

 

[Argyle Edison]

The problem I have with them is that freedom offroad is just an importer. They don't design, fabricate, or even own any vehicles that I know of. It's a warehouse that just imports and sells cheap chinese made products. I bought a pair of ebay chinese arms early on - and they broke catastrophically. They were spherical bearings and the misalignment spacers that should be stainless steel - were cast aluminum. Yeah - that's a big deal when it's the only thing holding your spindle to the control arm. Lots of people have had good luck with the ebay arms. And they're great - until you get one of the ones that someone swaps in a different metal part. And the seller is just an importer/reseller.

Freedom uses a ball joint of unknown origin or size. So it may be better than the design I had. It can't be much worse. I find it very troubling that they can't even tell you what ball joint they use - what make, model, size or anything. So if you end up in this situation down the road - what ball joint would you buy to replace the current ones?

And if you're willing to run unknown chinese arms - just buy them direct on alibaba. You can buy the same pair of arms they sell for $150 or so. Off Road Suspension Lower 4x4 Upper Control Arm Shock Absorbers For Prado - Buy Suspension Arm For Tacoma,Lower Control Arm For Prado,Lower Control Arm For Hilux Product on Alibaba.com

Understood. Thank you for the insight, I'll step up and get something better.

 

[Jetboy]

Understood. Thank you for the insight, I'll step up and get something better.

The real tragedy is that they might be perfectly fine. It's just that the owners of Freedom Offroad don't seem to know anything at all about them. And they don't have enough of a relationship with their suppliers to be able to get any information on what the product components are or where they come from.

If they could tell you that they use OEM toyota joints - or even that the arms would physically fit the OEM joints for replacement, that might be good enough. The arms aren't anything special or hard to produce. They SHOULD cost $200 for a set. OEM arms are $10/ea in bulk. Aftermarket ones shouldn't have to cost $500. So the price isn't out of line with what it should cost for a decent quality arm. It's just that this particular seller doesn't seem to have any knowledge of what they're selling.


Also - steer clear of the Tough Country ones. I actually bought a pair of them also - and they ended up making the alignment worse, not better. They are local to where I live. They said "trucks drive just fine with 1* of caster". No. No they don't.

I ended up with JBA arms which are okay, but the compromise is that they rub on my 20" wheels if I don't use spacers. Seem to fit fine with my stock 17" wheels and 285/70/17 tires. Some others have had some amount of rub with OEM wheels IIRC.