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SPC UCA Leak?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Mtbpsych, Jul 31, 2020.

  1. Jul 31, 2020 at 7:16 PM
    #1
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    Anybody else with SPC UCA’s have this happen? Doesn’t really look like leaking, and I know any extra grease that was pumped in during install should be able to leave the boot as it is not a tight seal. Just checking in to make sure, they only have 10k on them and don’t want them going out any time soon! Most of the spindle is stained from the grease.
    First pic is passenger side, second is drivers side.

    AB0427C8-1799-4258-AAC5-3C16740CCCA1.jpg
    415394AC-9205-406A-87A6-085446B603EF.jpg
     
  2. Aug 3, 2020 at 11:22 AM
    #2
    Big B

    Big B Out Exploring

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    I have SPC and probably right around 13k on them, Ill take a look when I can.
     
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  3. Aug 3, 2020 at 12:34 PM
    #3
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    I posted on tacomaworld and people on there stated that it’s normal for them to look like this. Theyre going to need some maintenance soon anyways so I’ll take a closer look at them too.
     
  4. Sep 23, 2020 at 7:51 PM
    #4
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Had all the renditions on my Tacoma from the first one that cracked at the mount to newer axis ones all my ball joints leaked like that after around 5-7k. I never had one run fully dry though.
     
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  5. Sep 24, 2020 at 6:41 AM
    #5
    Crossfit4Runner

    Crossfit4Runner New Member

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    I just installed a pair on my ride. I’ll have to keep and eye on them.
     
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  6. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:39 AM
    #6
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    Going to be greasing the UCA’s today, and was wondering for those who have done it do you jack it up and grease to relieve pressure or do it as the vehicle sits?
     
  7. Oct 27, 2020 at 11:05 AM
    #7
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    Tag - I have SPC UCA's on order.
     
  8. Oct 27, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #8
    Crossfit4Runner

    Crossfit4Runner New Member

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    So far no issues with mine
     
  9. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:32 PM
    #9
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    So I just did it while it was parked, didn’t take off anything. They did feel pretty dry, I squeezed the boot and couldn’t feel any grease. Did about 15 pumps of grease into them, will check them again soon after a trail run. One thing I did notice was before I greased them today, they would make a thud/clunk noise over bumps over bumps and now they’re quiet again. I did run them about 13k miles with plenty of dusty and off-road conditions so that definitely could’ve led to the ball joint boot losing most of its grease.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2020
    DRobs[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Jan 19, 2021 at 5:20 PM
    #10
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    Developed an incredibly annoying creaking noise whenever I would brake and get a little bit of nose dive over the week that comes and goes. Today it got so bad I finally decided to crawl under and track it down. Ended up finding the source which is coming from the drivers side UCA ball joint.
    at first I thought the joint itself maybe was dry so I greased it but that hasn’t remedied it. It is pretty dirty so I’ll be pressure washing it soon, but has anyone just sprayed in some WD-40 and called it a day? Everything is tight and not wiggly or lose, so I’m not too worried about it but it is annoying hearing it creak. Although, if I grab onto the uca itself while it’s creaking it stops it but I can still feel it vibrate in my hand.

    171CA3A0-5D2F-40D6-8C96-1B9F990C6542.jpg
     
  11. Jan 19, 2021 at 5:37 PM
    #11
    ThePnsh3r

    ThePnsh3r New Member

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    Ironman UCAs ... maintenance free
     
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  12. Jan 19, 2021 at 5:45 PM
    #12
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    They don’t provide the adjustment that SPC does, and they appear to not be as heavy duty.
     
  13. Jan 19, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    #13
    ThePnsh3r

    ThePnsh3r New Member

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    I’ve had zero issues getting my camber to 4 degrees. As for the beefiness - overkill for sure

    55B5B72C-8D82-4E0E-881D-866CD877A711.jpg
    491E5372-AD10-46C5-B032-210BA4C06751.jpg
     
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  14. Jan 19, 2021 at 6:10 PM
    #14
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    I’m not gentle on my rig when I’m off-roading, so I went with SPC because it’s tried and true, and steel. Aluminum components in areas like that aren’t my cup of tea, but if they work for you then they work for you!
     
  15. Jan 19, 2021 at 6:39 PM
    #15
    Crossfit4Runner

    Crossfit4Runner New Member

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    I have noticed one side has grease leaking out the bottom.
     
  16. Jan 19, 2021 at 6:45 PM
    #16
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    It’s normal from what I’ve taken, the grease has to eventually go somewhere after the ball joint moves around all the time. Just pump grease in the boot and wipe off the old stuff!
     
  17. Jan 19, 2021 at 10:15 PM
    #17
    BottomDwellingT4rLife

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    All of the creaking I would always get out of mine was from the bushings. I pulled mine off at one point and removed the metal sleeve and regreased them.(remedied it for about 6 months) it wasn’t the factory grease though. So I bit the bullet and ordered new bushings from them. They should be in tomorrow when I get home from work. My squeak was when I hit speed bumps or dips, never really noticed it on breaking.
     
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  18. Jan 19, 2021 at 10:33 PM
    #18
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    Ahhhh, sucks. I was hoping it wouldn’t be the bushings inside. It’s not crazy annoying, just whenever it goes happen it’s obvious that it’s creaking. Mine does it when if it dips from braking. I suppose it’s better than the lower control arm ball joint going bad which was my fear, never want to experience that breaking while driving:anonymous:
     
  19. Jan 20, 2021 at 8:04 AM
    #19
    ThePnsh3r

    ThePnsh3r New Member

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    I agree with the -“ ...if they work for you...” but, as for tried and true - and failure rate - lol a simple search with MANY user experiences would say otherwise.
    But hey, if they work for you

    BE86E5B3-DB6D-4C08-AB7F-D8FD6A7543AA.jpg
    4A92B737-EBFF-4971-AC0E-A94DF122BE3A.jpg
    FEB1B7FA-00EE-4625-937D-2CF20B86FB88.jpg
     
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  20. Jan 20, 2021 at 9:20 AM
    #20
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    All of my noises from mine came from the upper bushings as well. They switched out the bushings to a new atlas design I think because of the failure rate from the others. Mine the creaking came from the grease drying up and the metal sleeve inside the bushing binding to the rubber and then ripping it.
     
  21. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #21
    BottomDwellingT4rLife

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    Exactly. I wonder if the ones they sent me are the new design or not. Do you know if there were any physical/visual differences. Mine arrived yesterday when I was at work so I just opened the box and don’t know what would look different
     
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  22. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:28 AM
    #22
    BottomDwellingT4rLife

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    If you wanted to try to see if that’s where the noise is coming from you could always loosen the bolts for the UCA slide the shims back a little and try spraying lube in them. That would sometimes work for a week or 2 for me. At least you will know where the noise is then
     
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  23. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:41 AM
    #23
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    I use home depot silicone spray .. works perfectly .. I spray it on all the rubber bushings,grease boots,tires ,window rubber seals .. no problems no grease leaks boots/window seals/tires looks like new...no squeaks //.
    my 2000 snow blower looks new .. spray it on the impellers blows perfectly ..
     
  24. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:50 AM
    #24
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    They look significantly different than the old poly/rubber bushings.
     
  25. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:59 AM
    #25
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/identify-old-style-spc-light-racing-uca.554567/


    did a quick search on tacomaworld, and I definitely have the new style. The entire control arm is completely different than the older style ones. I’ll try spraying in some lube to see if that remedies it, if it it’s easy enough to pop new components in. I should probably try cleaning them first though, they’re absolutely caked in clay like mud so I’m sure that’s a great part in why they’re squeaking.
     
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  26. Jan 20, 2021 at 11:06 AM
    #26
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Ok just check. They are called AXIS bushings not atlas like I previously mentioned. And these are what they look like. 44EF8321-71ED-428E-A90A-055E5E6A873D.jpg
     
  27. Feb 24, 2021 at 1:48 PM
    #27
    taco_runner

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    Where do you buy these?
     
  28. Feb 24, 2021 at 1:51 PM
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    Crossfit4Runner

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    You can get them direct from SPC. I believe Toytec carry them also. I got mine from Amazon but the company say that they are not authorized to sell them and will void the warranty. I haven’t had a issue with mine.
     
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  29. Feb 24, 2021 at 3:34 PM
    #29
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    I got mine for $500 from headstrong off road. Tell them you’re a forum member for a discount. Just be advised they are under new ownership and the gal by the name of Marie (super helpful) no longer works there for service is up in the air at this point.
     
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  30. Feb 24, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #30
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych [OP] New Member

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    I did also got a new ball joints from SPC under warranty, so hopefully the creaking and squeaking in my current ball joints is remedied by this! I gotta say that SPC has AMAZING customer service and are super helpful. Made the whole process a breeze in eliminating other possible culprits and then getting the new joints. Will update when I get these installed.

    52C1F74E-AD8D-453F-AC29-195BA8A4371B.jpg
     
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