Anyone with experience with the new SPC UCA ball joint? (14 Viewers)

[mark71]

Time to replace my SPC UCA ball joints, again. Can’t make them quiet with a bit of grease anymore and they are getting loose.

Wondering if I should try their new design or bite the bullet and get something else. It’s easier to just replace the ball joint, but if I have to do this a third time, I’ll have spent enough money and time to have just replaced them.

 

[linuxgod]

How many miles?

Over my first set at 75k but they were overdue. I’m at 35k now, still going. The bushings on my arms seem fine and that’s usually the deciding factor as to when to replacer them and not just the ball joint.

That said I saw firsthand an SPC arm break at the weld to the frame recently, so I’m pretty inclined to dump them after seeing that.

 

[BigSwede]

I replaced mine a couple years ago, looks like they changed them since then.

 

[BigSwede]

That said I saw firsthand an SPC arm break at the weld to the frame recently, so I’m pretty inclined to dump them after seeing that.

FWIW the SPC UCAs for the GX460 are single castings, I don't think there are any welds.

 

[mark71]

How many miles?

Over my first set at 75k but they were overdue. I’m at 35k now, still going. The bushings on my arms seem fine and that’s usually the deciding factor as to when to replacer them and not just the ball joint.

That said I saw firsthand an SPC arm break at the weld to the frame recently, so I’m pretty inclined to dump them after seeing that.

Yeah, wish I could remember the mileage when I replaced them. Guessing around 40k ago.

Do your new ones have the grease nipple, or are they the “maintenance free” ones?

 

[linuxgod]

Mine have the nipple but they are 3-4 years old

 

[Artie]

My new design one’s just arrived yesterday to replace my current ones with the zerks. 40k miles on them and I figured I might as well switch them out when I have new shocks installed in a few weeks. They look great and well built and I’m happy with the maintenance free aspect.

I was ready to switch from SPC all together until I had a lengthy conversation with Filthy Motorsports for my new Kings. They recommended SPC UCA and, in their experience, the few failures that they have seen have been from over greasing which caused issues with the internal wear compensation spring. Apparently, the move to the non zerk ball joints is partly due to this and failures haven’t happened since for the Filthy clients.

My squeaks come from the control arm bushings instead of the ball joints, I’d be happy with a zerk there instead.

 

[mark71]

My new design one’s just arrived yesterday to replace my current ones with the zerks. 40k miles on them and I figured I might as well switch them out when I have new shocks installed in a few weeks. They look great and well built and I’m happy with the maintenance free aspect.

I was ready to switch from SPC all together until I had a lengthy conversation with Filthy Motorsports for my new Kings. They recommended SPC UCA and, in their experience, the few failures that they have seen have been from over greasing which caused issues with the internal wear compensation spring. Apparently, the move to the non zerk ball joints is partly due to this and failures haven’t happened since for the Filthy clients.

My squeaks come from the control arm bushings instead of the ball joints, I’d be happy with a zerk there instead.

That’s pretty positive feedback on the new joints, thanks.

And I’ve experienced the bushing squeak also, but usually a quick blast of silicon spray and they quiet right down.

 

[RTaylor]

I’m on the newest version and they seem better than prior two generations I’ve had. Call SPC and explain your issue with the current version and they may just offer you a warranty exchange…

 

[Artie]

That’s pretty positive feedback on the new joints, thanks.

And I’ve experienced the bushing squeak also, but usually a quick blast of silicon spray and they quiet right down.

I do the same, a squirt every now and again.

 

[linuxgod]

FWIW the SPC UCAs for the GX460 are single castings, I don't think there are any welds.

I didn’t think there were any welds either but the one i saw break clearly had 4 tack welds and SPC had failed to properly weld the seam. I’m shocked it had lasted ~5 years. But having watched a front wheel collapse from that break, and then with the fairly recent ball joint recall their QC just seems awful.