Project Over-yonder

[glockman]

Got it back today and they weren't able to get caster better than 1.5 degrees. Spec is 2.5 -4. So it looks like UCA's are in my future.
So far I am looking at JBA and SPC. I have read about a lot of SPC pivot failures on the old tube style. Looks like the new ones are all cast.

Anyone have a preference or experience with either?

 

[glockman]

Alignment sheet for future reference



And a pic with the lift.

 

[moab_cj5]

I have spc's on my GX. I have 30k miles on them and they are almost 3 years on the rig. No issues here. I got them from @cruiseroutfit.

 

[Rock Taco]

I'm liking my SPC's so far but I've only had them for 3k miles. Got mine from Kurt as well.

 

[glockman]

Well SPC was selling the 25480 arms for $400 on Amazon. I hesitated and they have jumped to $500. EFF.

On a side note, I installed a new head unit and am loving it. Kenwood DDX595. I also picked up a cheap backup camera and will be installing it inside the cargo area behind the rear dome light. I bought some wireless transmitters to eliminate running the cable and they work fantastic. I'll get some pics of the BU camera when I get it installed permanently later this week.

 

[Tonkaman]

I ran SPC uppers for a couple years without any issues. I’d buy them again

 

[glockman]

Still need to get some upper control arms. Priorities. Thanks to mesha I now have the correct size tire for the lift. 285/70/17 BFG KO2's from a JL Rubi. You can fit a full sized spare but just barely, I have about 1/16" clearance on the rear sway bar.
I removed the mud flaps and trimmed the front bumper a bit but no body mount chop, yet.



Another small mod but a handy one.



And while I was in a productive mood I took care of one rattle that irritated the hell out of me. The rear seat belts don't have a stop on the belt so the buckle rattles on the door trim. A little carpet and some spray adhesive and it's silent.

 

[glockman]

A little update on this rig. It now has 175k miles on it and has been a good rig. Hauled my MTB around the state and my now small family on several camping trips.
I replaced the factory UCA's with some SPC's about 25K miles ago. They made a decent improvement.
The CV's both tore at the inner boot so I installed some CVJ Red heavy duty inner boots. We will see how these hold up. I may end up doing a diff drop.





Pic from the most recent camping trip.

 

[glockman]

I also built a spare tire carried so I can use my trasharoo.
Need to turn some delrin bushings for it.

 

[glockman]

Recently I have noticed a clunk in the front passenger corner. I also notices some odd handling over manhole covers on the passenger side, it seems to disrupt steering quite a bit.
Yesterday I lifted the front tire and found a significant amount of slop in the SPC upper ball joint. I pulled it out to inspect it. I could press the ball into the socket with about 1/8' of play. It seems somewhat dry but I add 3-6 pumps of grease every 5k miles with oil changes. I added some fresh grease and worked the ball around, wiped the old grease off and added more fresh grease. At that point there was no slop in the joint. I'm baffled. I installed the joint back into the control arm, torqued to spec and it has almost zero play. I did check that everything was properly torqued prior to pulling it so that isn't the issue. Anyone seen this? Grease fixing a loose SPC ball joint? These arms only have 30k miles on them so I won't be to impressed if the $218 ball joint needs replacing already.

 

[glockman]

Well after a week the clunk came back. Pulled the tires off again and both front UBJ's have 1/4-3/8" of play. SPC says up/down play is acceptable. I disagree. That amount of slop changes the alignment significantly as the suspension cycles. Hitting a manhole cover on the passenger side nearly pulls the wheel from you hands. Looking through the interwebs this seems like a common problem with SPC upper ball joints. They tried to fix it with "upgraded" joints by adding a grease zerk. I'd expect WAY more than 25k miles out of a name brand aftermarket UCA like SPC. I ordered new upper ball joints yesterday. Found them for $125 a pair. Not too bad but still a complete failure in my opinion. If this set only lasts 25k miles, these will be for sale and I'll put some Dobinson's on it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Where did you buy the SPC's, they are good about warranty'ing them in our experience.

 

[glockman]

Where did you buy the SPC's, they are good about warranty'ing them in our experience.

I thought I bought them from you, but I can't remember. I sent SPC an email this morning asking about warranty.

 

[glockman]

Just got a reply from SPC stating they have a 3 year 36K mile warranty. Just need to send them the receipt if I can find it and they will send me replacements. Customer service that good makes up for a part failing before it's time, especially with the design of these ball joints making them very easy to replace.

 

[glockman]

Found it. Support your local 😁

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Sweet, if they don't set you up on the warranty, let us know and we'll go to bat for you.

 

[glockman]

I got my new ball joints installed and had @Coco's shop align it. I sent the old ones to SPC last week, just got an email this morning that they are sending me new replacements. That's pretty good customer service. I wish they had lasted longer but at least they have been very easy to deal with and are standing behind their product. Hurray for SPC. I'm now a happy customer again.