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.