SPC UCA failure

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OMG - I literally just installed these on Tuesday. I purchased them about a year ago, but only just now got around to installing them. Every time I do something like this to my Cruiser, I wonder why I’m messing with original. It was pretty good straight outta the box!
 
I understand and agree. Hopefully not a systemic thing. Probably not. But I’d rather buy and install products from companies that at least appear to be on your side. In such a niche market, that stuff matters.
 
D_Web said:
SPC's response? "$719.96 plus $21.61 in freight."

Unbelievable.
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From the 5th gen 4runner board:

"Myself and another member here both had the newest version fail on us, both the x-axis bushings AND the balljoints, within less than 2,000 miles. My replacements have been ok so far, but the way SPC treated me over the phone assures I'll never buy another SPC product again. " vBulletin3 Forum


I've read on other boards about other members' issues with SPC. These posts are what made me pass on their UCA and get Icon. For my next UCA purchase, I am considering Icon again or JBA.
 
I consult with companies on brand stuff... overwhelmingly, marketers/managers do understand the shift that's taken place in the past 10+ years. Making a great product isn't good enough anymore. There are lots (!) of companies who can do that. And, it's gotten incredibly easy to find the other options. How the company handles issues like @D_Web is having has become a much bigger part of what's shaping brands today. You'll even hear marketers explain how product failures are seen as "opportunities" to BETTER engage with the customer. Think of how you feel when a company bends over backwards and/or quickly addresses a problem to make it right. You go from customer to an advocate.

SPC may just be managed by that older model - that "let the product speak for itself, sales are up, we're not going to worry about a few customers" approach. That'll work... for a while.
 
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Manhattan said:
I consult with companies on brand stuff... overwhelmingly, marketers/managers do understand the shift that's taken place in the past 10+ years. Making a great product isn't good enough anymore. There are lots (!) of companies who can do that. And, it's gotten incredibly easy to find the other options. How the company handles issues like @D_Web is having has become a much bigger part of what's shaping brands today. You'll even hear marketers explain how product failures are seen as "opportunities" to BETTER engage with the customer. Think of how you feel when a company bends over backwards and/or quickly addresses a problem to make it right. You go from customer to an advocate.

SPC may just be managed by that older model - that "let the product speak for itself, sales are up, we're not going to worry about a few customers" approach. That'll work... for a while.
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NPS (Net Promoter Score) has been around for years. It's really simple.

Looking at the number of followers and number of posts for 2019 they have on IG and Twitter tells me they are in the older model. They haven't realized that there is a whole other revenue stream waiting to be untapped.

Instagram - 1107 followers. 11 posts thus far in 2019
Twitter - 498 followers. 20 posts thus far in 2019
 
crap. i just received mine and about to install. been eyeing TTs but it has been OOS for seems like forever.
 
Wow. I’ve bought a lot of SPC arms. I won’t be buying anymore if that’s how they handle situations like that.

Edit: I sent them a message about this. Honestly, I don’t want anymore of those products after seeing this. Looks like you could get a replacement set that could also kill you.
 
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Manhattan said:
I consult with companies on brand stuff... overwhelmingly, marketers/managers do understand the shift that's taken place in the past 10+ years. Making a great product isn't good enough anymore. There are lots (!) of companies who can do that. And, it's gotten incredibly easy to find the other options. How the company handles issues like @D_Web has become a much bigger part of what's shaping brands today. You'll even hear marketers explain how product failures are seen as "opportunities" to BETTER engage with the customer. Think of how you feel when a company bends over backwards and/or quickly addresses a problem to make it right. You go from customer to an advocate.

SPC may just be managed by that older model - that "let the product speak for itself, sales are up, we're not going to worry about a few customers" approach. That'll work... for a while.
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They have had supply line problems this year, I know that from their support guy. So maybe they don't want to build sales over what they can produce?
 
Anyhow yeah to echo others, that clearly appears as a welding issue and legitimately should be supported maybe warrantied by SPC- at least some good will provided to you towards a new set anyway. It can be fixed if you care to, otherwise lots of other options available.
 
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nitteo said:
crap. i just received mine and about to install. been eyeing TTs but it has been OOS for seems like forever.
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Well there's also these

Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2007 UPPER CONTROL ARMS - 100 SERIES LAND CRUISER | TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION

Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2007 UPPER CONTROL ARMS - 100 SERIES LAND CRUISER
www.chaosfab.com

Point is I think, there are other choices for those that are thinking of buying. If you already bought them I wouldn't worry about it just run them. As others pointed out could be an isolated batch from one off day at the factory. It's the customer service that's the real issue for our community as a whole. We put so much cash into these things you have to have someone willing to stand behind their work. IMO
 
I was going to buy SPC control arms next week because I like how much caster I can get out if them and I NEED more caster.

Looks like I'm going back to the drawing board. The JBA arms look nice but they dont make them for land cruisers.
 
I’ve had SPC control arms for a few years and no real issue. I did get charged to upgrade mine to the newer version with Zerks. However, there appear to be many more options out there now.
 
gatormark91 said:
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.
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Check the SPC Ball joints. I had mine (driver side) go bad with around 30K miles on it. Similar clunking sound as you describe. I must say that SPC honored their warranty and sent me two new ball joints without any major hassle (had to give them a deposit and it was refunded once they received the cores.) They did pay for shipping both ways, so I can't complain about customer service but I do wonder about their quality.
 
dinnertime said:
I was going to buy SPC control arms next week because I like how much caster I can get out if them and I NEED more caster.

Looks like I'm going back to the drawing board. The JBA arms look nice but they dont make them for land cruisers.
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I've been waiting on reviews for the Blackhawk UCA's. They are advertised as having +3 degrees of caster built-in. If I can get +4 degrees total with 2" lift, I'm in.
 
I was considering getting a SPC cause TT is always out of stock. Luckily, I was able to get a UCA from TT before they run out again.
 
I would not ever buy from SPC. for an
SS100 said:
Check the SPC Ball joints. I had mine (driver side) go bad with around 30K miles on it. Similar clunking sound as you describe. I must say that SPC honored their warranty and sent me two new ball joints without any major hassle (had to give them a deposit and it was refunded once they received the cores.) They did pay for shipping both ways, so I can't complain about customer service but I do wonder about their quality.
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They are the new style, properly greased, with only about 1500 miles on them.
 
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