SPL Front Lower Control Arm Failure - FLCA E9X M3

[@GarrettsAccount12345]

I think I actually commented on one of your earlier videos about the risks of running SPL equipment. Good customer service is not an excuse for how many serious failures have been documented on the forums with SPL products on the e9x chassis. Someone lost their e9x m3 at Laguna on T1 from an LCA failure similar to this. It is very pretty equipment but I would never be able to trust that my car was safe with any of their parts installed. Glad you are okay and nothing was damaged!!

[@sleepyro]

Agreed. I have seen too many of these failures in person and on the forums not only on e9X cars. Glad nothing bad happened.

[@KevJLee95]

Seems like there are quite some design flaws with SPL E9X products. Ti bolts thread into aluminum was not a good idea either, my tie rod end housing stripped upon first installation. I would suggest swap all Ti bolts to steel if you want to run them. There was not many companies make lower control arm, I went for MRT so far so good except the jam nuts came loose 2 times because of the heavy load on track.

[@TheThiuser]

Glad you are ok. Unfortunately I haven’t been confident with SPL product. I only use their front trust arm caster monoball. I only use stock arms.

[@gt1r]

SPL isn’t great. Period. I’ve seen multiple failures similar to this, and countless instances of the titanium hardware they use on their products backing out-rendering any adjustments you’ve made useless throwing your alignment off in the process. The factory arms are absolutely fantastic, and take the abuse well. There are other ways to adjust suspension geometry up front without the use of adjustable arms that only serve to weaken the suspension and over complicate alignments.

[@clubsport.m3]

Thanks for being transparent. Great response from SPL, they couldnt have done more to fix their mistake.

[@user-ki8zf1rp1e]

Glad you're safe bro, I had a defective OEM tie rod that disconnected the ball joint out the boot. Found out by accident when I was changing my low beam bulbs

[@mfujiii]

SPL is a reputable company, sucks that this happened to them but at least they took no shortcuts to get you back on track. If it was truly a terrible company they would leave you in the dust and be standoffish. This occurrence should make them an even better brand

[@zoohere98259]

Using MRT engineering. Simple, solid and it works. Anyway, I was the one that got in touch with you on your IG. That noise is exactly what I experienced. It’s your rear brake shields rubbing on the rotor hats. I took mine off and the noise went away.

[@TheThiuser]

Sorry to hear. Hope you get it sorted. I think that noise is related to SPL. Or wheel bearing.

[@xbwang87]

Can you share what parts you have with MRT?

[@zoohere98259]

@@xbwang87I’m using their front kit and rear toe arm. Not an install and forget item, especially if you’re tracking the car.

[@AlfisGarage]

Thanks for sharing, at least it didn't pop out the other way, which could have been dramatic. The scratching sound seems related to wheel rotation - maybe check the brake backing plates if they are not bent/touching?

[@njholt1]

You might be right, I'm going to check on mine and look at where it might be touching. I check the wheels often and don't see any grooves. Maybe the back of the rotor?

[@njholt1]

Will, if you figure out the clicking whirring sound while in a turn let me know! I have the same issue. I commented on your epic tune video, as I have the same exact build as you and a lot of the same issues. It would be great to connect and chat about these cars!

[@WillsGarageOfficial]

The rear brake dust heat shield was causing the noise, as some commenters here alluded to. The noise went away after I bent it back away from the rotor. I'll mention this in the next video I post!

[@rwense1]

The A90 Supra community has had a MYRIAD of issues with SPL suspension components. Especially when it comes to the bearings/ball joints used.

[@FaRKle0079]

Man, SPL quality has really gone way down the past couple of years... Snapped arm to knuckle bolts, revised studs that still snap, tension strut/thrust arms breaking due to too thin walls, endlinks without proper clearance for popular coilovers (Ohlins R&T), and now cutting production corners due to "high demand..." I've personally experienced two of those failure modes. Shameful.