SPC not what it uses to be? Upper Control Arm Issues on the Tacomas

Running a 2nd gen tacoma, when I lifted it I chose Spcs for the UCAs as they seem like the go-to. However in about 5000km both of my balljoints are practically shot, and 2 of the 4 bushings have a considerable amount of play.

Friend of mine with a 3rd gen (Same part # afaik) is on his 3rd warrantied set of balljoints. I'm currently going through the warranty process myself so let's hope it follows through.

Regardless, practically 9/10 posts I researched prior to my lift, as well as every shop around me, said to go with SPCs no questions asked. Has anyone else seen anything like this? Or did we just get a bad batch? PFA

 

Sometimes it’s the luck of the dRaw. I have spc on my 4runner and their great still after 20k miles. I have camburg on my Tacoma and they’re fried with less than 3k miles on them.

 

There was a thread here recently discussing SPC ball joints: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/spc-uca-issues.586620/

I had not heard/read that specific info about the joints previously so this was very disappointing to me. I've always planned on getting the SPC's due to their superior adjustability but after reading that thread will likly opt for something with a sealed ball joint. I don't think I'm willing to grease my joints as often as recommended and definitely not willing to give up the ability to pressure wash the truck.

 

My spc ball joints have failed again only had the arms for about 100k kms. And grease them with moly every oil change. When I get around d to them I'm getting rid of these arms and putting something else on.

 

I have JBAs. While they don’t have the adjustability of the SPCs 70k on the ball joints and bushings zero issues. Tight as the day I got them.

 

That thread is over 3 years old. Hardly recent. The SPC arms of recent have no such issues.

 

Zero issues with anything on my SPCs. Installed 2 years ago, this is my daily driver in addition to my off road toy.

 

I just switched from SPC's to JD Fab uca's. They def don't have the same adjustability and I'm now required to trim a little more to avoid rubbing but I don't want to have to deal with changing uca's every 10 months.

 

JBA>

Less crap to fail, built better, and redder.

 

I had SPC UCAs installed last year. they only had 6,000 miles on them and both ball joints were loose. got them warrantied out this month and now I'm noticing the bushings are starting to come loose. there is a soft knocking when going over small bumps while turning. pretty disappointed in these UCAs. I feel like I shoulda just kept the stock ones