From all my reading, that seems to be the common tie between all failed SPCs : They were the first generation without zerks. Everyone seems to report satisfaction with the 2nd gen (some with 40k+ miles). I will probably go the SPC route when I do opt for them.
Aftermarket UCAs - Slee vs Total Chaos vs Nitro
- Thread starter SurfSwitch
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These might be the UCA's many have been waiting for. Sealed OE style balljoints. Fixed position balljoint but with +3 degrees of Caster Correction. Rubber bushings. Would need to add provision for AHC vehicles though (sensor bracket).
| Products
Blackhawk Toyota 100 Series 3 Degree Upper Control Arms Front (PR)
| Products
Blackhawk Toyota 100 Series 3 Degree Upper Control Arms Front (PR)
These are what I'm getting.
$$$ though...
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Those look pretty interesting, nice find!
From what I remember, a couple of older threads seemed to indicate that most 100 series SPC users are dialing in 1-2* of additional caster ("D" or "C" position). We seem to be on the extreme end, on my son's vehicle, at position "B" (+2.75*), which has us running about 1* over Mr. T specs.
SPC UCAs Poll - what are you running?
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I just installed a new steering rack and had the shop keep the same +4.2 caster... so I've been running that spec for 3 years now with good results. I'm running +6 degrees Caster on my 70 series!
I believe the Blackhawk UCA's also come with their HD ball joint, advertised as having 15 degrees more range than OEM. I don't know if that is true or not but should their balljoints suck, 555 ball joints can be installed.
http://www.blackhawk4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Roadsafe_Next-Gen_HD_flyer.pdf
I believe the Blackhawk UCA's also come with their HD ball joint, advertised as having 15 degrees more range than OEM. I don't know if that is true or not but should their balljoints suck, 555 ball joints can be installed.
http://www.blackhawk4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Roadsafe_Next-Gen_HD_flyer.pdf
I have the nitros and I had an issue. I ran them for about 1k miles and I noticed my steering was suddenly way off so I hit the forums and found an issue related to the steering rack bushing that fit my problem. I spent the day replacing them and teat drove the 100 but sadly I still had the same issue so I decided I can take it to the shop. They put it on the lift and they found the problem. The bolt and nuts attached to the UPC were loose on on side and the nut and adjustment washer was missing on the other side.
I contacted the shop who did the alignment and asked if it was possible they did not tighten the nut down to spec but denied any error however offered to do the alienment again at no cost even though I was two weeks out of warranty.
Since I was now missing the hardware from UPC I had to go to the dealer and pick up the part. Luckily my buddy owns an auto shop so I was able to get a discount on parts.
This whole thing just seemed so weird to me because I have never heard of these nuts backing off the bolt. I contacted nitro and asked if if they have ever heard of an issue like this with their parts and they said "No, but we use locktight when we install them here at the shop". Perhaps I am missing something but I have never heard of using locktight on those adjustment nuts. I personally don't mind but I'm not sure if locktight was recommended in the installation steps.
Well I just picked up the 100 from the alignment shop and I asked them to use locktight and they looked at me like I was crazy but they didn't anyways. Alignment is all on point and have not had an issue to day. I will be checking it often to make sure they do not back out again. I still like the nitros but if this happens again I will not be able to reccomend them to anyone.
Hope this helps
I contacted the shop who did the alignment and asked if it was possible they did not tighten the nut down to spec but denied any error however offered to do the alienment again at no cost even though I was two weeks out of warranty.
Since I was now missing the hardware from UPC I had to go to the dealer and pick up the part. Luckily my buddy owns an auto shop so I was able to get a discount on parts.
This whole thing just seemed so weird to me because I have never heard of these nuts backing off the bolt. I contacted nitro and asked if if they have ever heard of an issue like this with their parts and they said "No, but we use locktight when we install them here at the shop". Perhaps I am missing something but I have never heard of using locktight on those adjustment nuts. I personally don't mind but I'm not sure if locktight was recommended in the installation steps.
Well I just picked up the 100 from the alignment shop and I asked them to use locktight and they looked at me like I was crazy but they didn't anyways. Alignment is all on point and have not had an issue to day. I will be checking it often to make sure they do not back out again. I still like the nitros but if this happens again I will not be able to reccomend them to anyone.
Hope this helps
Also huge fan of caster running 7° on my 40 series. I max'd my caster using SPC arms at 5° on our LX470. I tried for more but camber adjustment was the limiter. This set up make for very comfortable hi speed driving experience through the twisties.
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Have any of you guys running 3+ deg of caster adjusted the lower control arms to push the wheel forward ? Im just under 3deg and my wheel will sometimes rub the back of the fenderwell on tight turns. There are adjuster cams onnthe lowers but theyve never been touched.
Adjustment cams on the lowers...? Pictures please.
I have SPC caster at "E" setting which got me 4 degrees with no-bind on cam adjust bushings. Tracks tright down the road. Before I was a the recommended "C" starting position which was 2 degrees, and coupled with bearing needing adjustmen, it was really twitchy.
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On the lowers it is just a rubber isolater/spacer. I believe it's for deflection from the bushing.
Anyone installed the Blackhawk UCAs and developed opinion? I'm going to either do ball joints and bushings or replace the UCAs-- and apply the bushing money to UCA purchase. So, I'm trying to sort through the options. Like others have mentioned, I like the looks of the blackhawk UCA-- but would be curious to know what people think of them after some use.
The amount of caster available with the Blackhawk UCA would be the question I would be asking. Many UCA are limited the main reason I went with SPC.
Hold up on the blackhawk until you check out what Jason at TrailTailor has. He’s just finished a similar design. @TRAIL TAILOR
Any updates on these?
Ill email him later tonight about them. Talking to him about Tough dog TB at moment.