SPC control arm clunking-what to do?

I installed SPC control arms purchased from Toytec along with their Toytec kit back in the Spring. Approximately 2 inches up front lift and 1.5 in the back. I have been hearing a clunking sound and sure enough both ball joints are clicking when I rock the truck, I can feel it in my hand if rested on the joints and hear it from in the truck. I have about 3,000 miles since the installation.

I see they offer new ball joints and I suppose I should order a set as I am within a month about to tow my boat on a 2000 mile trip. If I do not install new joints are these in immediate danger of failing and causing an accident?

Or, should I cut my losses and move to a different upper control arm kit? If so, what?

Frankly, at this point, within reason, money is not an object. I need something that is safe, durable, preferably quiet with OEM manners as my Tacoma is a daily driver and rarely sees anything other than road use and the occasional dirt road.

No, it has not been off roaded other than the dirt/gravel road I live on.

 

did you grease the ball joints when you installed em?

Have you hit up SPC for a warranty claim?

They are likely fine so long as there is no slop in them.

 

Yes, I greased them when installed.

I would hate to have them fail while towing a 4000 pound boat at 70 MPH.

 

I'd try to grease them again and check the torque on all the UCA fasteners. If that doesn't clear it up contact SPC for a warranty but it is odd that both are doing it which is why I think they are dry or something is loose.

 

No, I checked the torque and then took it to my mechanics shop for a second eye. The drivers side is clunking, the passenger side is clicking softly.

 

Have you pulled the castle nut off and pulled the ball joint out of the spindle and moved it by hand to see if its actually the SPC ball joint?

 

Could they be touching the sway bar or end links?

 

I have SPC UCA's and had the original ball joints from 2015 get sloppy. They warrantied things without an issue. If you do have issues they'll take care of you.

No issues since upgrading to their new style ball joints.

 

These are the upgraded balls, PN 25001, brand new installed this spring.

They clunk simply by rocking the truck by hand (and not very hard) so no they are not contacting anything, no. We did a range of motion check when I installed them and the truck does not go off road, at least not since they were installed.

Frankly, I am not sure this is not normal for this type of ball joint?

 

No, but a stethoscope proves it is coming from the ball joint. I can feel it with my hand, the closer my hand get to the ball the better I feel it and I can hear it coming from the ball.

 

I would sell them and get a real set of aftermarket UCAs (TC, Camburg, Dirt King, etc.). There are enough horror stories about SPC UCAs to fill a novel at this point, it's known they are junk.

 

Okay, I am good with that, which one do you specifically recommend that meets the qualities from my original post and has the adjustability to dial in the alignment? As I said, money is not really a concern but time is.

I have a 2000 mile tow coming up in three weeks. The Tacoma needs to be in 100% GO for Launch condition, NOW!

Here is what I am going to do, purchase a new set of balls and install them and re-alignment. Do our vacation trip we have been planning for a year. Then when we get back from the trip, if these SPC units give me even a hint of trouble then go for something else and I am waiting on you folks to help me understand what the something else might be?

The Tacoma during our last trip:



My Tacoma is a garage queen, the tow above and maybe a few trips to work when my Rubicon was being maintained are all the miles it has since the lift and SPC install last spring. Under 3000 miles since install.

J

 

To be honest I don't think most people need a UCA that is adjustable for a mild lift. The adjustability comes into play when you are talking long travel or something with large tires to get the caster into spec while clearing up some space for the tires against the firewall. There are a few companies that make heim joint UCAs though that you could adjust the alignment settings with (total chaos and icon come to mind) but I'm sure there are others. Personally, I think a uniball UCA with poly bushings should fit the bill for 99% of the people out there. They are easy to install, reliable, and very little parts to fail. Any alignment settings can be adjusted using the lower control arm eccentrics. What was your reasoning on wanting an adjustable UCA to begin with?

 

This forum and my experience with my previous lifted Tundra and stock uppers. I do not think I can get a good alignment with stock uppers without compromising somewhere.

Nonetheless it is done. My OEM uppers were at 100,000 miles and worn out. I needed new ones. I got the SPCs. My front was initially at 3 inches but I lowered it down to about 2.25 to 2.5 inches over stock as it sits now and have (had) factory alignment numbers.

J

 

I would go with dirt king.

 

have you checked the strut bushings above the top hat. I have SPC UCA and I thought the passenger side was squeaking pretty bad but when we took it apart it ended up being the top strut bushing had blown out.

 

You really don’t want uni-ball UCA’s. Talk about noise! There’s been no reports, that I’ve seen, that the newest style SPC’s have any issues. What the guy posted above is old news.
So the BJ is seated properly and they’ve been torqued to 150 ft/lbs?
They’ve been greased with 5-10 pumps of grease?
They’re not making contact with ANY other parts?
If yes to all above, contact them and they’ll send you a new set of BJ’s.
Maybe post some pics.

 

I am not giving up on them. Until I give another chance. The balls do not look like a poor design, they certainly look better than what I took out from Toyota. I give them another chance. I hope they are okay. I like the design for sure. I like the adjustability. I like them save for I am scared they might fail and while towing that could be very bad.

I ordered a new set of ball joints. They will be in tomorrow. As I said, I am in a hurry. I am sure they would have sent me a set under warranty but I need them in now. This way I can install them over the weekend. I work a long day and cannot do things like this in the week days. So I need them now.

The noise is coming from the balls. it is not a squeak but an audible and tactile snapping thunk sound as the truck moves/rocks. It could be normal, beats the c--p out of me but I am not taking a chance. I did not have time today to call the good SPC folks to ask for their opinions on the clunking sound. All I know is they did not do it new and now with 3000 easy miles on them they do.

No, the new Bilstien 5100 strut assemblies are not the cause of the noise. It is coming from the ball joints.

J

 

Bringing back this old thread. Has anyone else had this problem and been able to resolve it? I have a little over 2k miles since installing these SPC UCA's and have only been on the street so far. Same issue with the popping/clicking. I can feel it while driving as well as when rocking the truck side to side and holding my hand on the UCA's. Frustrating to have an issue like this with new parts. I have not contacted SPC yet, but will do so on Monday.

 

I am having the same issue. Seems to be coming from the upper left side of the arm (not the ball joint). It seems like inside, maybe the bushings? Did you ever figure it out? I got a new drivers side arm and plan to install it this week.