I installed SPC‘s upper control arms less than 10,000 miles (1 year) and have been experiencing a clunking noise on the driver side when dropping over bumps. I believe I have identified the culprit as the ball joint, but it’s not clear to me if it has failed. It seems there is vertical movement in the joint, but apparently this should also be expected due to wear springs? I believe the SPC ball joint was a sealed version that was expected to last 30 to 40K. I also noticed the shaft of the ball joint can spin, but I’m not sure if this is expected. I guess I’m mostly looking for validation of ball joint failure, and to see if anyone has experience with premature failure, and if SPC has been able to help out.
SPC UCA ball joint failure (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Eachelis
- Start date
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Looks like a failed ball joint. Can’t hurt to call SPC and see what they’ll do. These are very easy to change. Maybe a 30 minute job.
I got 90k miles out of my first set of SPCs, and I was getting just a bit of play, but changed them out for the new version (sealed) before a CO trip last year.
I got 90k miles out of my first set of SPCs, and I was getting just a bit of play, but changed them out for the new version (sealed) before a CO trip last year.
Failed ball joint. Scary amount of play for under 10k miles. Seems like some folks get long life out of SPC ball joints and others do not. Not sure if it speaks to poor manufacturing, poor quality control or both.
I had terrible experience with them in my 4Runner.
I had terrible experience with them in my 4Runner.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Seems excessive movement. Call SPC and send them a video.
SPC's that I see, have grease zerk and need 3 squirtes every ~5K miles of a EP (extreme pressure) "moly" grease. I see red grease around boot, indicate a HS (high speed) non moly grease.
It is very hard to see as video so short and so much movement in SPC ball joint. But It seems; that I'm seeing tire/wheel move independent of steering knuckle. If so, you've supper loose wheel bearing. This would put additional strain on ball joints, TRE, R&P, FDS. Wheel bearing should never have any play.
SPC's that I see, have grease zerk and need 3 squirtes every ~5K miles of a EP (extreme pressure) "moly" grease. I see red grease around boot, indicate a HS (high speed) non moly grease.
It is very hard to see as video so short and so much movement in SPC ball joint. But It seems; that I'm seeing tire/wheel move independent of steering knuckle. If so, you've supper loose wheel bearing. This would put additional strain on ball joints, TRE, R&P, FDS. Wheel bearing should never have any play.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the feedback and expert advice all!
I just slapped a little bit of the red grease on after inspecting and reattaching to knuckle.
I just slapped a little bit of the red grease on after inspecting and reattaching to knuckle.
You'll need a new Ball joint. Grease won't help. I went with OEM and peace of mind.
