SPC TYPE B UCA Bushing replacement - Polybushing

Please keep us posted. Need my spc uca rebuilt sooner rather than later

 

Here is some motivation to deal with bad x-axis bushings sooner rather than later. I noticed my driver side bushings were bad about 1,000 miles ago, figured I had some time to decide what to get next and that the only down side was an annoying knocking noise when making sharp turns.

Probably common knowledge for some, but I didn't realize bad UCA bushings can cause irregular tire wear. I thought I had a balancing issue after recently painting some tread patterns. After the tire shop confirmed the two affected tires are in balance, I realized the two affected tires were most recently mounted on the corner with the bad SPC bushing.

Here is the tread pattern. Left is from the bad driver corner, right is from the back driver corner. You can the left tread pattern has missing spots in the outer tread blocks, and they are alternating with the opposite side with a sort of diagonal pattern. This tire has become very loud recently. Right pattern looks normal.

I'm buying new UCA for now, but holding onto my SPCs incase a bushing solution is available one day. I have the new style ball joints sitting in a box, sad to see the x-axis bushings fail sooner than the ball joint.

 

@perryparts Can you tell us anything about how the 3d printed bushings went? I know a bunch of people looking for a solution here.

 

SPC is about to release new redesigned X-Axis UCA bushings. They have been listening, and testing.

I really like that the new balljoints work with my Total Chaos spindle gussets. The ball joint stud is longer and has two cotter pin holes. These have been out for a little while though.

Improved sealing
"positive race retention"

 

Still running them - Have about 3k miles, one long weekend at Windrock park, and several local wheeling trips here in NH. I ran them without grease to try and really abuse them. They're squeaky because of the lack of grease, but so far no issues.

 

Sweet. Any idea when you’ll be ready to sell a set?

I have the older tubular spc arms so hopefully they will work with those

 

That’s what I have too.

Really looking forward to having a spare set of bushing for when mine finally go.

 

wild... i too just had the same idea on tuesday and picked up a spool of Ninjatek 95A TPU.

Literally just jumped into Fusion to sketch up something and came to this thread to grab some measurements

Edit: was planning on making a 2 piece, similar to OME bushings for the rears. would be easier to print without overhangs for the retention bit. but could just do without

 

So far this is what i've gotten. doing a test print now as a 2 piece, mostly to check fitments etc etc. still would need to source out the general steel sleeve which would still be needed for anyone looking to DIY it for dirt cheap. Thinking about re-using the old Polybushing SPC sleeves, alternatively look for another aftermarket (found these All pro leaf spring bushings )should the OG ones be fried. I have a buddy with a toasted polybushing kit he used for his total chaos UCAs, so gonna grab those sleeves for now to test around.

lots of tinkering with this little project. judging by Perry's teaser image, looks like the SPC x-axis ball sleeve is in the background of the image, wonder if they plan to use them.


I'll tinker this design until wee see more from Perry lol but end of day, i would trust theirs over mine any day of the week. this kit would probably just sit in the truck as an emergency should something blow out.

 

I wonder if you could source some sleeves off mcmaster? Maybe stainless so it wouldn’t need any coating

 

yeah, the "critical" dimensions are going to be length of sleeve and ID.

ID to slide onto the OEM UCA bolt/ shaft and the length to prevent the UCA from pinching closed from torquing the UCA bolt down.

OD of the sleeve doesn't matter, just needs to be minimum some wall thickness to prevent it from crushing. the 3D printed bushing can be adjusted as needed.

According to, xaxis bushings:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ement-polybushing.803354/page-4#post-30523026
14.30mm ID or 9/16"
62.15mm/62.53mm length

24.05mm OD but i think that is a bit of a mis leading dimensions since the Xaxis has a flange/ lip on the rubber sealed sleeve.

According to me, the steel sleeve for the OG SPC bushings:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...replacement-polybushing.803354/#post-28797251
14.29mm ID (expected) or 9/16"
62.02mm length or 2-7/16"
25.44mm OD


so dimensions to look for would be:
9/16" ID
2-7/16" probably round it up to 2-1/2"

Mcmaster carr has press-fit drill bushings for about $17 a pop, would need 4 so $70 in just the sleeves) with a 7/8"OD (22.25mm)

 

Hmmmmm maybe energy suspension has a PN for these? 2.5 lg with a 9/16 ID Must be used for some leafsprings or shackles.

 

You could use these I think. Wouldnt work for people with double shear uca but an extra 1/4 of length shouldnt hurt the rest of us.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/products/r1967

Hold on a minute. Could we just use these as bushings?

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/products/r1379

BUSHING OD - 50.82 mm ~2"
BOLT SIZE - 14mm .551"
LENGTH - 60.67 mm 2.388"

 

Time to start measuring.

 

I realize this is a 2nd/3rd gen thread but I'll just leave this here anyway.

This is a no go on 1st gen Tacoma 25460 forged arms. I'd need some 3D printed spacers to take up the slack. Don't want new arms but I also don't really care what revision of x-axis bushing SPC releases. Thankfully this is a spare truck.

 

so went to check out part numbers for new ball joints, i suspect 1 of mine is on their way out as well.
from the https://www.spcalignment.com site



Old part numbers; MOST OF THESE APPEAR TO BE DISCONTINUED

1. 25001- SPC Ball joint (original Ball joint)
2. 25470 - ADJ CAMBER/CASTER UCA (PAIR)
   1. 25472A/3A - Type A UCA arm (Driver/ Passenger)
   2. 25472B/3B - Type B UCA arm (Driver/ Passenger)
3. 25476 - Poly-bushing replacement kit (1st gen SPC UCAs (welded ones)).
4. 25477 - Replacement Ball joint Boots
5. 25030 - X-AXIS BUSHING REPLACEMENT KIT

New Part numbers;

1. 21060 - Control arm hardware kit (seems like OEM replacement UCA bolt from them)
2. 25440 - Alignment Caster/Camber bolt kit (looks like OEM replacement)
3. 35101 - REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS FOR SPC ARMS ("upgraded"/ Gen 2 ball joint they claim is better)
4. 35470 - ADJ. UPPER CONTROL ARMS (PAIR) kit (appears to be the gen2 forged UCA with the new hardware, Flex joint+ball joint)

Can't seem to find the UCA bushing part number for the upgraded/ better X-axis ball joint...

looking at their Digital PDF Catalog top left are the UCA kts themselves. dont see the X-axis bushings


According to the balljoint page;

35101 Replacement ball joints for SPC Arms work on part UCA part numbers 25470 (tacoma, gen 2 stamped UCA ) and 35470 (Tacoma, gen 3(?) UCA)
the other claimed part numbers are all for other JDMs; 25540 (Nissan frontier), 25560 (Niassan Armada/ Titan), 25660 (Mazda BT-50 truck)

According to the 35470 page, Part number 35101 is associated with it, which one could deduce that 35101 also fits, I've added it to the above list but it doesn't show any part numbers for the new bushings.


understanding the part numbers;
x54xx - Toyota specific signifier
x547x - Tacoma specific signifier

2xxxx - Appears to be "older"
3xxxx - Appears to be used on the upgraded stuff

 

Removing the x-axis bushing is not fun. I can see why the offroad shops I've talked to won't replace the x-axis bushing.

I didn't have press sleeves, but was able to make something using scrap parts and pressed them out with a shop press.

After removing the internal sleeve I notched the outer sleeve in two places with a hand saw. Bent the sleeve inwards with a sharpened punch so that the forged arm was exposed.

Welded a device to press on the arm but allow the sleeve to move out. Slightly sketchy, took about 5,000 lbs of force before the outer sleeve started moving.

 

Any updates on the 3d printed bushings or another alternative?

 

not sure about Parry part's 3D printed bushings but i got a set of potentially workable ones.


Current build uses Dirt King steel sleeves and washers. (i got them off a budy who's polybushing wallowed out but the steel was still good.)


This is the current set working off a printed UCA arm based on measurements, moves nicely but i think i need to tighten up some tolerances.
https://youtube.com/shorts/gQ1h6GIpjRw

until i get a second UCA arm set to take apart and do a fit and finish, this project is a little bit on hold due to the broke leg....

 

I too am interested in some bushing alternatives. Just bought my truck used and immediately replaced the ball joints with the non-serviceable ones. Turns out the bushings are also cooked but don’t really want to buy bushings that will fail in a couple months nor spend more money on entirely new a-arms