SPC Ball Joint Failure (1 Viewer)

[MongooseGA]

I dunno. I think 30k for aftermarket BJs is really good considering what we put them through. I have been giving the ones on my 200 hell for a while now and have had no issues. I’ve had some hits that sheared off the alignment tabs on the lower control arms but no BJ problems yet. (I torque the BJs to 200 ft-lbs) It would be understandable if I did though and I would not be upset considering what I’ve put them through.
I agree with @abuck99 . We have to expect and plan for compromises with aftermarket components. The fact that they are so easy to change goes along ways with me.

In my case, that's ~30k since install. They've been making noise and have failed to hold their position for at least 8-9 months. That's probably ~10-15k miles for me. So maybe more like ~15k before there were issues. I thought the noises I was hearing were sliders creaking, but managed to rule that out. Everything else under the truck is new. I wouldn't have even considered the BJs had failed in ~30K miles until @Wermz mentioned this week that they were getting toasty.

Eh. I still think it's kind of a disappointing product. Had I known when I bought them what I do now, I would have gone elsewhere for UCAs.

 

[ga12r1]

I still think 30k if the truck is mostly off-road isn’t too bad. 30k mostly highway would be different.

edit posted this^^^ before @MongooseGA last post. 15k for mixed driving doesn’t sound good

 

[MongooseGA]

I still think 30k if the truck is mostly off-road isn’t too bad. 30k mostly highway would be different.

That may just be it. Not having run any other UCAs, I have no basis of comparison. I'd reference guys running stock UCAs with BJs lasting much longer but then, it's likely that if someone is still using stock parts, they probably don't have the same added stressors that I do (tires, lift).

I ordered a pair of BJs this morning. Should these go out prematurely as well, I'll just replace once more, sell the SPCs, and buy a set of Dobinson's or Trail Tailor's.

 

[ga12r1]

That may just be it. Not having run any other UCAs, I have no basis of comparison. I'd reference guys running stock UCAs with BJs lasting much longer but then, it's likely that if someone is still using stock parts, they probably don't have the same added stressors that I do (tires, lift).

I ordered a pair of BJs this morning. Should these go out prematurely as well, I'll just replace once more, sell the SPCs, and buy a set of Dobinson's or Trail Tailor's.

To be honest there has been pros/cons to every brand of aftermarket UCA I’ve ran. But SPC keeps sucking me back in with their range of adjustability and super easy gas station parking lot serviceability.

 

[abuck99]

That may just be it. Not having run any other UCAs, I have no basis of comparison. I'd reference guys running stock UCAs with BJs lasting much longer but then, it's likely that if someone is still using stock parts, they probably don't have the same added stressors that I do (tires, lift).

I ordered a pair of BJs this morning. Should these go out prematurely as well, I'll just replace once more, sell the SPCs, and buy a set of Dobinson's or Trail Tailor's.

Right - stock UCA with stock suspension (even with bigger tires) will last longer than anything aftermarket. But lifted, the OEM UCA will only deliver about .5~max 1 degrees of caster and limited range of motion on a 2" lifted rig- which is a far cry from 3-4 + degrees from the SPC. I've not found another aftermarket option that will match SPC caster numbers (if more caster correction is important to you). If you can live with 2.0-2.5 degrees, the other options will suffice.

How often to you grease your SPC BJ's? (oil change interval?)

 

[ga12r1]

That may just be it. Not having run any other UCAs, I have no basis of comparison. I'd reference guys running stock UCAs with BJs lasting much longer but then, it's likely that if someone is still using stock parts, they probably don't have the same added stressors that I do (tires, lift).

I ordered a pair of BJs this morning. Should these go out prematurely as well, I'll just replace once more, sell the SPCs, and buy a set of Dobinson's or Trail Tailor's.

Why not just lower the truck to factory height and just armor up? Then you can run factory arms and just drag and bounce yourself over everything. Thats basically what I'm doing with the 200.

You'd have a better ride offroad too

 

[MongooseGA]

Right - stock UCA with stock suspension (even with bigger tires) will last longer than anything aftermarket. But lifted, the OEM UCA will only deliver about .5~max 1 degrees of caster and limited range of motion on a 2" lifted rig- which is a far cry from 3-4 + degrees from the SPC. I've not found another aftermarket option that will match SPC caster numbers (if more caster correction is important to you). If you can live with 2.0-2.5 degrees, the other options will suffice.

How often to you grease your SPC BJ's? (oil change interval?)

5k-Mile-maintenance day is a blast at my house . About every other month or so. Start with a heavy pressure washing. Oil and filter. The BJs on the SPCs get greased, as well as U-joints, drive shafts, RUCA/RLCA, and I do a 5-tire rotation. It's so much fun. You should come!

In my searching for the replacement BJs, I also noticed that SPC has come out and said that the torque on the BJ should be increased to 175-200ftlbs (Lee also mentions this), as their standard suggestion of 150 ftlbs has shown to be insufficient. I have no clue what the dudes at GTE turn it to, but I will absolutely mention to them during alignment next (whenever I get these new parts delivered and swapped in).

Maybe I'd had some unrealistic expectations. Maybe they're just not that great. IDK. The only thing I can objectively speak to is that within 15-20k miles, there were some issues. At ~30k miles, they were worn enough for my buddy/technician to comment on them. While it may look it, I don't make a habit of beating the crap out of my truck for the heck of it. Though, I've heard Lee's got a judicious foot and a big imagination, and he seems happy with them

Why not just lower the truck to factory height and just armor up? Then you can run factory arms and just drag and bounce yourself over everything. Thats basically what I'm doing with the 200.

You'd have a better ride offroad too

Blasphemer.

I probably could bring it down some, but I'm only at or just barely over 21.5" in front, under 23" rear. Nothing crazy. Plus it makes my dick bigger.

For grins, here's where GTE set me earlier in the year. It's probably been redone a few times since.

 

[abuck99]

Good alignment numbers. I use GTE as well- they understand alignments, are very familiar with SPC UCA’s(which is rare) and understand how to rear align if you have adjustable rear link arms. I have a 40” 3/4 torque wrench that will get 200ft lbs done in a click if you need it.

Your every other month service sounds like fun- (Not)

 

[MongooseGA]

Your every other month service sounds like fun- (Not)

Aw, come on, man! You don't wanna get in on this action??

 

[abuck99]

I think I've offered to watch and provide meaningless commentary from the sidelines while swilling an ipa.

 

[MongooseGA]

I think I've offered to watch and provide meaningless commentary from the sidelines while swilling an ipa.

I'm all for side-line coaching. I even provide the beer. Next time something big happens, I'll let you know. BTW, you're going to GSMTR this year, correct?

 

[abuck99]

I'm all for side-line coaching. I even provide the beer. Next time something big happens, I'll let you know. BTW, you're going to GSMTR this year, correct?

Ok- Lemme know!

I'm signed up for GSMTR, so is Lee (ga12r1) and @Lndcrzr100inTN- hopefully I'll be able to make it up there

 

[ga12r1]

I'm all for side-line coaching. I even provide the beer. Next time something big happens, I'll let you know. BTW, you're going to GSMTR this year, correct?

Ok- Lemme know!

I'm signed up for GSMTR, so is Lee (ga12r1) and @Lndcrzr100inTN- hopefully I'll be able to make it up there

Yeah, I'll be there too. I'm really looking forward to it. I was up there last weekend for ATR and bent the passenger lower link, crushed my gas tank skid, and bent my transfer case crossmember. Good times

Back on topic, SPC ball joints did a great though

 

[abuck99]

Youre punishing that 200

 

[MongooseGA]

Yeah, I'll be there too. I'm really looking forward to it. I was up there last weekend for ATR and bent the passenger lower link, crushed my gas tank skid, and bent my transfer case crossmember. Good times

Back on topic, SPC ball joints did a great though

You should lift your 200.




Glad you'll be there. It'll be cool to finally wheel with you. @abuck99 hopefully you'll make it and I'll get a chance to meet you, too.

 

[ga12r1]

You should lift your 200.




Glad you'll be there. It'll be cool to finally wheel with you. @abuck99 hopefully you'll make it and I'll get a chance to meet you, too.

My 200 is lifted with 35s. You just can’t tell because it’s so nice and thickly.

 

[Kofoed]

I had the SPC's with old style BJ, lasted 10k miles. It was rattling one trip all the way home. Finger loose. SPC replaced with new ones with the zerk fitting, but I still needed to pay for an alignment. Now they are having trouble with the bushings

Starting over, I would have went with Nitro

 

[abuck99]

I see that OME recently introduced Upper Control Arms- for-TACO-GX-200 Series everything BUT the 100 series. Maybe a nudge to ARB USA can get them rolling with 100 series application

 

[Cove]

I ordered a pair of BJs this morning. Should these go out prematurely as well, I'll just replace once more, sell the SPCs, and buy a set of Dobinson's or Trail Tailor's.

This is what I did. I needed the truck inspected & back on the road so I just replaced the BJs. I'll give them another year and keep an eye on them....

 

[dinnertime]

Mongoose, try using aeroshell 64 grease in your new balljoints.. I've been using it in mine and so far so good.