SPC UCA install advice

is anyone running these SPC ucas in their taco?

Part number is 25470

I had them installed today and the shop and I struggled to get camber correct in these. I’m currently chambering in like a bish but we have everything set as states to do.

I was advised from running4tacos to lower the cams as far forward as possible and to use top adjustable plate to get in spec. He said the caster will be in red in purpose.

Anyone else do this too? Or any other advice?

 

I would take it to another alignment shop and see what they say....not to say these guys don't know what they're doing, but I've never heard of someone having trouble getting normal alignment numbers after installing SPCs. They should be installed with the ball joint on the normal setting ('D' on the instruction sheet). Then if you need to adjust for additional camber/caster you go from there. They shouldn't need to be put in a different setting just to get normal alignment numbers.

Is the ball joint seated in the slot on the UCA the same on both sides? If you're camber is too far inward it sounds like maybe they installed the ball joint slid all the way in toward the truck when it should be out away from the truck.

Hard to explain without showing visually but some detailed pics might help if you can post those...both sides.

 

Yea I’ll go grab some.

From what they told me they did use the D slot and they installed it furthest away from the truck. Alignment itself is as spot on as can be. And front tow. They did the diagnostics with me so I knew they weren’t just saying that.

It’s almost like these ucas are wanting it to be on a “racing/aggressive” truck and makes it seem like I’ll need lcas to make it even. But let me get those pics.

 

Sounds right but it's weird your camber is off and they can't get you normal numbers...something doesn't add up lol. Definitely don't need to install aftermarket LCAs or anything like that. I'm stumped

 

Well let me send pics and you tell me what you think. This is my first time using upgraded ucas. Never had to do this with my car builds lol I’ve down what research I can and have the info directly from spc install guides as well as the internet. But I’m still clueless

 

Post up the pics on here when you can, someone smarter than me might be able to figure it out. I've had SPCs installed on my 04 for 2 years and have had maybe 10 alignments done in that time (offroading takes is toll...) and they always get normal numbers for me with the ball joint on the D setting. Well, they put my caster at 3˚ but that's because I requested it. But I haven't had to change the SPC settings at all since they were installed.

 

So right off the bat, correct me if I’m wrong, but these are not slid towards the wheel as far as they should be. I’m assuming this is what he meant when he said he did this but it threw specs off. But some say it’s supposed to be “off” computer wise.

 

Ok yeah...that could be the issue. Those are slid inwards toward the truck, they should be slid the other direction I think. That's why your camber is pointing your wheels inward I bet.

Also that ball joint is not on the D/normal setting, I'm not sure which one it's on but when they are on the normal setting you can see the "SPC" logo facing you when looking at your wheels.



Those should be adjusted to the normal setting and go from there, at least in my opinion

 

Ok I’ll have them look at that. I go back Monday so I just have some light around town driving to do and then across town Monday. So won’t wear too bad on everything until it’s fixed.

 

This is one on the normal setting, you can see the SPC on the gold plate facing the tire

 

Take my advice with a grain of salt but looking at those spec sheets compared to the photos you posted I feel like that's why you're having these issues, hopefully someone else with a 3rd gen and SPCs can chime in.

If they have the instructions for the SPCs then they should have that spec sheet for the ball joint, but I'd bring a copy with you just in case

 

Yea I actually contacted spc for that sheer because the box didn’t have it. I snagged these off of someone for &250 brand new. Still in plastic package and everything. Quite a steal

 

Nice, that's a great deal especially considering what SPCs go for new right now...they've gone way up in price over the last couple years.

But that could explain why they had trouble installing them at the right setting, without that sheet handy with the ball joint specs they wouldn't know which setting to put them on.

 

Here's the PDF for your SPC part number instruction sheet, the whole thing. They have a section on their site where I got them for mine.

https://www.spcalignment.com/instructions/25480-INS_WEB.pdf

 

I gave them the sheet. I got one for that reason. I think they just misunderstood parts of it. Bc they looked at it and said yea we have it matches to how it should be. Guess not. It’s a great group of guys. They’ve done tons of Tacomas here. But first spc they’ve ever worked with

 

Here’s current status

 

That doesn't look too bad really but it's hard to tell via photos with camera angles and what not. But at least it isn't crazy bad lol.

The good news is (from what I can tell anyway) is that once you get the SPCs put on the normal setting you should be good. Heck you can even do it yourself if you have a floor jack and hand tools + torque wrench, but you'll still want to get an alignment done afterward

All you gotta do to adjust the ball joint is loosen that top nut with the front end off the ground, then turn it by hand and retorque to 150ft/lbs when you're done. But since the shop did the install and alignment I can understand wanting to have them do it.

 

Thanks for all that! Yea I’m lwtring them do it Bc they will do it all free of charge since I already paid for the install and alignment. But it drives fine minus the pull lol which they said it would do until they figure out that uca

 

Why does it look like the wrong control arm for the 3rd gen trucks. Is that part # correct? Not to cause alarm but the ball joint part # is 25001.

I’ve already put aftermarket ball joints in mine and yours look different.

 

According to spc website the ones I have are correct. 25470. Mine came with the ball joints which are part 25001