Issues With SPC Lower Control Arms

[HectorM52]

Okay, I'm not here to bad mouth. I'm here to ask if anyone else has had this happen to them before - and how to remedy the problem.

I had my new Howe lower ball joints (LBJ) installed in my new SPC lower control arms (LCA). When the guy pressed them in for me, he mentioned that he was nervous about them slipping back out of the LCA due to the lack of friction surface between the LCA and the LBJ. I didn't think much of it since I've had several sets of stock-type LBJ's installed and never any problem.

So, I finally get all my parts here and get some time to get out there and start installing my new front suspension. SPC upper control arms, ATS spindles, hotchkis springs, SPC lower control arms, etc... I get everything installed nice and purty. I'm painting up my calipers getting them ready for install. I read the instructions about trying to get your alignment at least clse to what it was stock. So I take some measurements and start to adjust my new uppers.

I'm on bolt 4 of 6 and I'm DONE. Then THIS happens...









Yes, that's the LBJ that has slipped out of the LCA.

Has this ever happened to you?


What did you do to fix it???

My personal opinion is that there just wasn't enough friction surface. Or maybe the hole was cut a few thousandths too big. Or??? I just don't know.


ANYONE??

[TPI Monte SS]

I had the same issue with my stock LCAs and the Howe LBJs. I put in a quick call to Marcus over at SC&C and he told me to tack weld the balljoints into my lower A-arms so they wouldn't come out.

[BonzoHansen]

Yeah, the arm wears out. Tack them or get new LCAs

[PT Goat]

That is quite a coincidence...I had my Howe balljoints swapped into my SPC lowers this morning and installed the arms this afternoon. I noticed the balljoint having been pushed out at the last second - as I was installing the shock. I was so mad that I almost put my fist through the wall, as this is my 4th control arm setup. I was on my way back here to post the same pictures!

I haven't checked with Marcus yet, but I have already decided to tack mine in place. I was able to get it to reseat by removing the swaybar and tierod and placing a block of wood on the LCA. A few blows with a 3lb sledge and it reseated. I did need to jack up the LCA at the same time, though - I used my biggest socket to protect the BJ.

I just wish I knew why it pushed out, I was thinking that the spring would pull it into place, not force it out.

Bozohansen: these LCAs can't be worn out. The first sets were produced this month.

[HectorM52]

Cool, that makes me feel a LITTLE better...

I don't mind tacking them in place if it doesn't hurt anything. Not a big deal. Just don't want to burn up good parts before I get to drive on them!!!

[HectorM52]

I was so mad that I almost put my fist through the wall...

Awesome! I was freakin' pissed too!!

Bozohansen: these LCAs can't be worn out. The first sets were produced this month.

^^^^^Yeah, what he said!!^^^^^

[LowBuckX]

Someone didnt do their Gazintaz and made the holes to loose.. I wouldnt tack weld them for the simple fact that they are not right. why bandaid a new product. Although the heat of the tachs would not hurt a thing. Or the BJs are undersized for some reason....

[PT Goat]

Good point on the size of the balljoints - I'd be interested to hear from someone who has mounted the SPCs and left the stock balljoints in there. I suppose it could just be an issue with the Howes.

[BonzoHansen]

Oh snap, I've seen so many old LCAs do that I overlooked the SPC arm part.

[HectorM52]

Someone didnt do their Gazintaz and made the holes to loose.. I wouldnt tack weld them for the simple fact that they are not right. why bandaid a new product. Although the heat of the tachs would not hurt a thing. Or the BJs are undersized for some reason....

gazintaz?? WTF?

Anyway, like I said before I'm not opposed to tacking them on there IF that's Mark's recommendation.

By just reading this thread alone it seems that this is NOT an isolated incident; it is a pattern. So if I get a new set of arms and BJ's could I potentially have the same issue? I think so.

So putting a "band-aid" on there might seem like a crappy solution, but I'd rather band-aid it today and be driving by next week rather than waiting a month or so for new parts and have to band-aid them later. Again, it seems that this is not an isolated incident.

[Yelcamino]

That's a frustrating issue to say the least! I'd be pretty mad too.

I had a pair of Howe LBJ's for my SPC LCA's but at the last minute decided to leave the stock LBJ's in place. I haven't noticed them pulling out, but I haven't driven it yet. It doesn't look like you guys have driven yours yet either.

I'm going to have to keep a close eye on them to make sure they stay put.

[HectorM52]

From the marks on the MOOG ball joints the guy "pressed" out, it seems those were up in there pretty tight... But I'm not sure because I wasn't there to see him in action.

I'd be willing to bet that the MOOG's were in there tighter. So hopefully you won't have these issues.

[kp.touring]

Just my 2 cents, most MOOG ball joints made for car 10 years old and more are made a little over sized to fit tight in worn control arms. Which will in turn cause the ball joint hole in a new control arm to be inlarged when installed.
Just something to be aware of, also race guy's weld in the ball joints.
Kevin

[LowBuckX]

gazintaz?? WTF????

Come on 3 gazinta 6 2 times 4 gazinta 12 3 times.



Math my man



And I beleive this is the correct answer for it all..

Originally Posted by kp.touring
Just my 2 cents, most MOOG ball joints made for car 10 years old and more are made a little over sized to fit tight in worn control arms. Which will in turn cause the ball joint hole in a new control arm to be inlarged when installed.

Kevin

MAybe they should be offered with and with out BJs or come uninstalled. Everyone has a BJ press right? Even the LowBucker has a $25 Harbor freight BJ press.

[Eric Howell]

Just my 2 cents, most MOOG ball joints made for car 10 years old and more are made a little over sized to fit tight in worn control arms. Which will in turn cause the ball joint hole in a new control arm to be inlarged when installed.
Just something to be aware of, also race guy's weld in the ball joints.
Kevin

Moog offers "Problem solver" ball joints that are oversized. They have become the norm in the shops so maybe by some off chance the arms were speced for the problem solvers. That would make the stock spec Howes undersized.

[GTOnate]

Moog's bjs are oversized??? that explains why I have had an issue pressing them in on newer vehicles. (Worked for firestone all moog suspension parts there)

[TPI Monte SS]

Moog offers "Problem solver" ball joints that are oversized. They have become the norm in the shops so maybe by some off chance the arms were speced for the problem solvers. That would make the stock spec Howes undersized.

Yep, and that's why I had the trouble with mine. I took out a set of Problem Solvers, and they're actually "splined" so that they dig into the hole. The Howe BJs are not splined, so once the hole in the control arm is worn from those grooves, they will slide in a bit easier, and also possibly come out. I haven't driven my car except to go in and out of the garage since we put them in, but I think since they're tacked in place it should be fine.

[PT Goat]

Yep, and that's why I had the trouble with mine. I took out a set of Problem Solvers, and they're actually "splined" so that they dig into the hole. The Howe BJs are not splined, so once the hole in the control arm is worn from those grooves, they will slide in a bit easier, and also possibly come out....

Great point - the stock SPC BJs are splined (Moog I assume), and I swapped them for the Howes which are not splined. Sounds like the problem has been poinpointed.

[HectorM52]

Sounds like the problem has been poinpointed.

I agree.

...FYI - these SPC LCA's did come with MOOG's pressed in as the "stock" setup...


So the solution is to tack weld them in? Does everyone concur??

[HectorM52]

...because it's just ready and waiting for me!!