SPC UCA failures

Hey, I have bought legit all new stock: bushings, arms, bj. As far as know the bushings are a tough replacement job to do in your garage so I’ve never attempted bushings but mine are bad. The new bushings do no have play right out of the box if that’s what ur saying, I don’t fully understand.

 

Have to say I'm a little disappointed, but not surprised, that my SPC's had to be replaced yesterday. I had a set put on in Feb 23' and they made it to 30,000 miles but upon a trail readiness inspection yesterday at R4T they said they were shot. Now here's the part I hope I don't regret too much. I went with a new set of SPC's with the new sealed ball joints and better bushings. The guys at the shop said they are much improved and if I had opted for the replacement bushings and ball joints it would have cost around $400 to $500 so it was easier to go with a whole new set for around $700. I figure this gives me another 30,000 miles to research a better option and consider going with the BMC so adjustability won't be as much of a concern.

 

Sorry to hear that, I got stung too, twice. But, what you need to confirm is which part number of spc parts you had fail. There’s new new stock now. And even the 2024 axis bushings, and replacement kit with sealed joint, fail prematurely. You’re 30k is amazing honestly, I bet they had play even earlier than that. The manager a lot my shop said one set of his SPC’s on his 4th Gen last year failed in 3 months - and he did zero off-roading.
Goodluck!

 

Just installed mine. Hopefully no issues.

 

Nice work!
I’m afraid to say you won’t get more than 20-30k on the SPC’s that are silver in color. The new new design is all black bolts and star plate. I owned the same design that’s in he photograph (2024 sealed balljoint no zerk fitting) and they were loosey goosey with play before one year.

 

My 2025 SPC’s passed 1500kms inspection today, no issues whatsoever, off to a good start. My 4x4 shop has me returning next after 3000kms (1864 miles) have passed.

 

Sounds like I get to have fun in the future. I went with these for the adjustability but we will see. Not sure what else to get but ditched these before for Icon tubular with uniballs because I thought the arms reaching their limit and making a clank noise but it was actually my Fox coilovers hitting their maximum extension.

 

Have you been able to figure out what the heck causes them to fail after they’ve made so many attempts at redesigning them? I wonder if it’s a problem inherent to the adjustability aspect of these LCAs. You can’t say SPC isn’t trying lol, but man alive they’re not having much luck making ball joints!

 

SPC are made in China. The manufacturing and parts quality seems to be inconsistent the last few years and it’s really hurt the brand. SPC of old was better and the reason it had a good reputation. Those days seem to be gone.

 

Dude ya I wish I knew a clear answer as to why the failures. I can’t speak for the axis bushings but the balljoints appear to continue to fail (sealed joint or not) due to a combination of the balljoint design being telescopic and prone to play, and, a change of manufacture & material since during COVID.

 

Hah!
I chose them for the adjustability as well and decent arm strength. I bet if you hold onto the receipt, you will definitely be able to call spc if there’s play to get some kind of refund or exchange in the coming months and years. What I can say is I’m one of the few who continued to work with SPC during this debacle instead of trashing my whole setup, and now so far my quote-unquote” “new design” SPC’s have gone 2000kms and passed professional inspection Saturday. Watch them still fail LOL

 

I replaced my SPC BJs and bushings 2500 mi ago. Still good as new but I’m keeping an eye on them. If you replace the bushings yourself, try the wholesaw removal method. I didn’t have my wholesaw kit handy the night I started changing the bushings at 10pm….made for a long night.