SPC UCA Question

If you are in a situation to need the SPC UCAs (high ball joint angles, caster/camber correction), the stock UCAs would be worn out in short order as well. Pay to play.

I just did ~$4000 worth of damage to my truck within the first 30 minutes at an off road park last weekend. $40 would be a rounding error lol, less than a tank of fuel.

 

Just notices some vertical play in my SPC ball joints but they say that it's normal? I think it's due to the internal spring. I believe they recommend looking for side-to-side play only. May look into these newer joints.

 

I ended up doing 10 fresh pumps. Never saw any of the original grease come out that was done yesterday. Feel better now that it’s done with moly grease instead of red grease

 

I installed spc uppers myself about 6 months ago. I called them on the phone to get some advice about install. They were really helpful. They were also very adamant about using the proper type of grease.

 

I got NLGI #2 in there now. Super lithium

 

Just another one to chime in on burning through bolth x-axis and ball joints on spc's. They warrantied them fine but they were sold off and replaced with another arm I have seen third gen, second gen and 4runner arms fail rapidly so I always urge caution with spc now

 

I'm "lucky" to have gotten the old-style SPC UCAs with the urethane bushings by purchasing them in Mevotech boxes back in 2019. As I understand the Mevotech P/Ns (separate P/Ns for LH and RH UCAs) have changed to the newer X-axis spherical joints now too.

 

Seems like the older SPC's were the best. I've got the tubular ones with spec ride bushings. Closing in on 143K miles and I only changed both ball joints and bushings once and they were both under warranty. Checked them a few month ago, ball joints are still good but I might change bushings next year.

 

looks like dorman is also selling the SPC UCA's

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=13696989&cc=3310144&pt=10401&jsn=510

Has SPC logon right on it.

Summit racing has them for $252 vs $309 at rockauto

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-528-312/make/toyota/model/tacoma/year/2015

 

Sounds like SPC takes their old stock, gives them to other brands to resell.

Both of those links show the last gen greaseable ball joint that has now been replaced with a non greaseable one.

Also like how the ball joint is oriented the wrong way in those pics haha

 

Since this is sort of a UCA thread, I have heard mention that you can replace them without having to bend the inner fender wheel to remove the long bolt? I guess you could sawzall of the head of the bolt and pull it down instead of up? But what about installing a new bolt?

If you are not doing any lifting or alteration of the front suspension is there any reason to go with the SPC or other adjustable UCA's?

 

Those that cut the bolt usually put it in backwards.
If you’re not lifting there is really no reason to upgrade the UCA.

 

That's what I thought thanks..

 

Yeah you can cut and go backwards but man... with the slope of that bolt and its high priority, just bend the inner fender a bit.

+1 even if you are going with 3rd gen coils which provide ~1in of lift, theres no need for an aftermarket UCA.

Just did 2023 TRD OR front coils paired with 3rd gen 5100s up front set at zero with some 2023 take off UCAs with under 2000 miles on them. Truck rides SOOOO much better now.

Ill have some latest generation brand new SPC UCA's up for sale soon.

 

can anyone share a link for a correct tube of grease for SPC Ucas? Mine have the zerk fitting. I currently have a tube of Green NLGI #2?
I am lost as to what type to buy? or if that is correct

 

I use this

$15 Valvoline Palladium #2 3% Moly, Heavy Duty (HD) Grease 14.1 OZ Cartridge

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0735RLMCC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

and this is a great addition if you don’t have one already

$20 AZUNO Grease Gun Coupler, 2nd Generation Upgraded to 12000 PSI, Grease Gun Tips Quick Lock and Release, Compatible with All Grease Guns 1/8" NPT Grease Gun Fittings (Grease Gun Coupler 1pcs)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07RRXKW9F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

several have mentioned the SPC UCA's as requiring NLGI #2 GC-LB with moly

This is what I use on ujoints, ball joints , tie rods etc. Just not wheel bearings

https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/full-synthetic-grease/