SPC UCA failure

[D_Web]

On the way up Imogene at HIH9 I kept hearing a sound in the front end that wasn't quite right. After a few stops checking on everything I'd worked on before the trip and finding nothing, I took a good look over things at the summit. Unfortunately, this is what I found -

Not great. After some temporary lashing to try and prevent stress on the rear welds, I made it (very slowly) back to Silverton where it was replaced.

People much more talented with these things tell me that this failure had quite obviously been developing for some time and would have been fundamentally caused by a manufacturing defect.

In hindsight there were probably many other times I'd heard a noise and attributed it to something else, but it finally decided to give way on the way up the mountain.

SPC's response? "$719.96 plus $21.61 in freight."

Unbelievable.

 

[erse]

On the way up Imogene at HIH9 I kept hearing a sound in the front end that wasn't quite right. After a few stops checking on everything I'd worked on before the trip and finding nothing, I took a good look over things at the summit. Unfortunately, this is what I found -

View attachment 2058825

View attachment 2058826

Not great. After some temporary lashing to try and prevent stress on the rear welds, I made it (very slowly) back to Silverton where it was replaced.

View attachment 2058827

View attachment 2058828

View attachment 2058829

People much more talented with these things tell me that this failure had quite obviously been developing for some time and would have been fundamentally caused by a manufacturing defect.

In hindsight there were probably many other times I'd heard a noise and attributed it to something else, but it finally decided to give way on the way up the mountain.

SPC's response? "$719.96 plus $21.61 in freight."

Unbelievable.

I hope you respond in kind by purchasing from one of the other solid vendors out there who are supplying uca's.

Thanks for posting. Good thing to keep in the Rolodex for future reference

 

[erse]

UCAs - 100 Series

Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series 3 Degree fixed caster correction Currie machined joints - 2.5" OD full flex, no bind joints - rebuildable and greasable 4130 CrMo wall tube arms 4130 CrMo ball joint cups Sealed maintenance free tapered ball joints with 4140 CrMo ball stems and SAE 1045 forged...

www.trail-tailor.com

Red is a lovely color for all occasions

 

[nukegoat]

HAZ from the weld. Manufacturing defect for sure

 

[M1VOOD2O]

I can't believe SPC won't replace that which clearly is product defect.

 

[Otter]

Wow, not much for standing by their product. Guess I know who won't be supplying my future UCA purchase.

 

[gatormark91]

On the way up Imogene at HIH9 I kept hearing a sound in the front end that wasn't quite right. After a few stops checking on everything I'd worked on before the trip and finding nothing, I took a good look over things at the summit. Unfortunately, this is what I found -

View attachment 2058825

View attachment 2058826

Not great. After some temporary lashing to try and prevent stress on the rear welds, I made it (very slowly) back to Silverton where it was replaced.

View attachment 2058827

View attachment 2058828

View attachment 2058829

People much more talented with these things tell me that this failure had quite obviously been developing for some time and would have been fundamentally caused by a manufacturing defect.

In hindsight there were probably many other times I'd heard a noise and attributed it to something else, but it finally decided to give way on the way up the mountain.

SPC's response? "$719.96 plus $21.61 in freight."

Unbelievable.

I had a bad experience with SPC customer support. They could have easily helped me out, but refused. By refused, I mean the support guy on the phone thought they should help me, he went to the actual Present of SPC to ask, and the President told me to pound dirt. I'd definitely not buy from SPC if I were doing it over, but the TT UCAs weren't available when I got the SPCs.

 

[Bomar]

Just go back to OEM UCAs.....

I have no alignment issues and many many friends the same way. Just pulled originals off at 220k miles.

 

[planomateo]

Post that s*** on their twitter/instagram page and see if SPC has a change of heart...

#WorthTheFight

 

[Manhattan]

I agree with @planomateo - this is how companies live or die today. But with SPC, it may take a more old school approach... SPC has a very antiquated digital presence. Based on the mid-2000s approach to their website - not mobile friendly, an 800 number where most have their social media icons, they're likely not too worried about "that damn internet stuff".

Maybe post on their FB page - Specialty Products Company and share your experience there, expedition portal, and other relevant sites.

You'd think, in 2019, these dumbasses would realize the power of social media, online reviews, etc. Just this week, I complained (really, just notified, asked for help) about a Black & Decker cordless vac'. Using the form on their website, I told them the vac stopped working. Within 12 hours, I got a reply. In TWO DAYS a replacement was at my house.

Based on your experience alone, the SPC uppers on my truck are the last ones I'll buy.

 

[Alibaster]

I also have SPC uppers and have been relatively happy with them so far, but I guess I'll be keeping a look out. As mentioned above, I'd definitely post this on their social media as a caution to other people. Include pictures obviously.

 

[SOLD]

making me wonder if that noise I hear is a broken SPC control arm

 

[Manhattan]

HAZ from the weld. Manufacturing defect for sure

@nukegoat I sorta understand what HAZ (heat affected zone) is - and how it relates to welds failing. But, that "understanding" is right up there with my understanding of medical stuff when I nod along with the docs.

For those of us (me) who can't read a weld - what are you seeing that looks off?

 

[savirc]

Post that s*** on their twitter/instagram page and see if SPC has a change of heart...

#WorthTheFight

This.... you'll be surprised how quickly you get resolution. I had a terrible experience at an auto part store I rarely ever complain about anything but this "manager" was talking down to me over an issue they caused and said they would fix and then didn't. To top it off he laughed when I requested a refund, something they mentioned they would do if it didn't work.

Anyway... by chance that very same day that same company had posted publicly on linkedin about how much training goes into customer service and on and on, and guess who was the first commenter referencing name and store number for training suggestions..... I hated to be that kind of person but it delivered results. Call them out, sometimes its just one person making things difficult but the company overall wants to do right for their customers.

 

[gatormark91]

making me wonder if that noise I hear is a broken SPC control arm

Same here. Clunk from front right corner when stopping and brakes are released, that I can't find a reason for. Definitely going to check this weekend.

 

[Alibaster]

You know I thought my slide were too close to the body and that's that I was feeling sometimes, but now I'm gonna have to go look. Thanks a lot.

 

[krispykritter]

Thanks for the post - will be avoiding that upgrade in the future.

 

[yotasavg]

FWIW, I'll second the comment about @TRAIL TAILOR UCAs being the prime choice. Price is right, too.

 

[Whiskerz]

Clearly looks like a manufacturing issue

 

[nukegoat]

@nukegoat I sorta understand what HAZ (heat affected zone) is - and how it relates to welds failing. But, that "understanding" is right up there with my understanding of medical stuff when I nod along with the docs.

For those of us (me) who can't read a weld - what are you seeing that looks off?

The fact that it cracked evenly around the weld