question on SPC LCAs

[DuMa]

I just installed these over the weekend and i tightened the camber bolts (uniting the knuckle and control arm) to 55ft/lbs according to this SPC's specs via this PDF:

http://www.spcalignment.com/instruct...60-INS_WEB.pdf

however after driving on it a few days, it feels like the rear end is very wobbly and very unstable. Especially noticeable when i go over the smaller bumps like the light reflectors, the rear shakes slightly horizontally. instead of just up and down on the shock/spring.

After looking under the car again today, the camber bolts i felt after torquing it 55ft/lbs and after i set the desired camber angle (eyeballing it), i could still tighten a few more turns by hand easily with some crescent wrenches. So i dont think this 55ft/lb from SPC's specs is tight enough.

i want to note that torquing it is nearly impossible for me with the wheels on and the jack raising the tire up, effectively putting weight on the suspension basically. AND without using a lift or an alignment rack. (which i dont have obviously)

All other bolts on the LCA (subframe and strut 59 ft/lbs and sway bar 28ft/lbs) are tightened to factory specs.

Was this like this for everyone else who has the SPC LCAs?

[D_Thissen]

I wonder if your rear toe is out of whack? I thought I read a bit of toe-in helps with stability.

[DuMa]

its very likely my toe going inwards on the rear wheels depending on my eye. I am due for an alignment but im waiting for my wheels/tires to come in to do the whole alignment once installed.

[sittinSideways]

I have not heard good things about SPC... keep us updated

[boredom.is.me]

I have nothing bad to say about mine and personally know others with it (2nd gen). I don't track, but have done plenty of autoX and mountain runs. I have never had to do any adjustments for the 2 years they have been installed. Let's not turn this into an "SPC is shit" thread please.

You can't really question vehicle dynamics until you have had the car aligned. Toe WILL easily make you wobble.

[cnk]

You need an alignment plain and simple. The rear is all over the place now because your camber and toe are most likely out of whack. . .definitely toe if the rear is all over the place. Mine was the same way after I installed them. Once I got an alignment, the car has been on rails.

As for SPC quality, I know the version 1 arms had some issues, but the version 2 arms are basically the stock arms, but with an eccentric bolt on the hub attachment point for camber adjustment. I've had mine since the V2 arms came out and haven't had any issues.

[Mad1723]

Originally Posted by sittinSideways

I have not heard good things about SPC... keep us updated

Source needed, running SPC here and had a blast at an HPDE less than 2 weeks ago. I wasn't nice to my suspension those 2 days and it held like a champ

Lots of people use those on the track without any issues.

[adamg]

same thing here. installed mine 2 weeks ago and the car instantly felt weird in the back. got an alignment and my toe was super out of whack. once they finished my alignment it felt better than ever

[TheVoiceOfReason]

Camber changes affect toe (and you can't eyeball it acurate enough), so unless you put the SPC arms to exactly the same length as the stock arms, and no other changes like a drop, your toe will be off along with the camber. I measured the length of the stock arms and set the SPC's to that when I installed mine with my springs so I knew I would have a drivable starting point. Went directly to get an aligment after that. No issues with them moving in the two months I have had them.

Most of the bad stuff spread around about these arms is from old information about the scary looking first version that wasn't even made for specifically for our cars.

[drewbot]

What everyone said above....check your toe

My previous alignment sheet showed a hilarious 2.20 degrees toe out on the right side after the arm install and camber adjust

[fika84]

I also have had no issues with my LCA's and they've been on for close to a year now. I did get an alignment 2 days after they were installed though, I wouldn't trust an eyeball alignment.

[Porcupint]

Any time you mess with suspension components, you must get an alignment. You're not going to be able to 'eyeball it' to any sort of accuracy. Get it aligned, then ask questions if it still feels funny.

[HATED1]

48,000 miles on my SPC's no issues so far. It is your toe alignment.

[wparsons]

Get a proper alignment first! You're most likely having issues from everything being way out of spec.

As for the torque spec, if things aren't shifting (you'd see evidence of this), then the torque spec is fine.