SPL SERVICE BULLETIN 23-01

[FLtrackdays]

Just sharing if anyone else has come across this issue:

https://www.splparts.com/tsb-2301/

I was able to avoid hitting a wall on turn 17 at Sebring, but just barely. It took a lot of steering wheel scrub to find a contact point where I could get some grip back and stop the car. I was really lucky it wasn’t worse. I was able to drive off track to this location (still inside the track facilities) and get towed home a day later. A local race shop will be putting on the replacement bolt/stud and put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

SPL was incredibly helpful with this and no serious fault on my general mechanic that installed the original one. My fault was likely many of the issues mentioned in the bulletin. Now I know.

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[DarkZupra]

Turn 17 is not a place Id ever want to suddenly lose steering, good god you are lucky to have not put it in the wall. This is why im going Verkline.

 

[Rocksandblues]

Yikes. So glad you are ok. Have not been impressed w SPL on our platform. too many issues from friends and like this online.

 

[FuzzyRev]

Wow dude. I'd lose my mind if I wrecked my car because of a design flaw on the LCA hardware, which the manufacturer knew about and didn't send notices, or at least try to contact everyone that had purchased them.

 

[NitroYellowMKV]

ya that is honestly pretty unacceptable, but glad you are okay man! hopefully no other damage or surprises!

 

[DarkZupra]

Wow dude. I'd lose my mind if I wrecked my car because of a design flaw on the LCA hardware, which the manufacturer knew about and didn't send notices, or at least try to contact everyone that had purchased them.

There was another thread about this in July.
https://www.supramkv.com/threads/spl-flca-technical-service-bulletin.18679/

Not saying thats good enough, but i bet most people dont buy these directly form SPL so finding everyone would be tough.

 

[FuzzyRev]

i bet most people dont buy these directly form SPL so finding everyone would be tough.

That's why I said "try" to contact, because it would be very difficult to track people down, but we're talking about an incredible safety hazard, and if this were an OE part issue, you better believe it'd be an official recall.

 

[razorlab]

which the manufacturer knew about and didn't send notices, or at least try to contact everyone that had purchased them.

They sent notices and contacted people. Months and months back.

 

[decodeddiesel]

Damn! I was just under my car last weekend correcting some alignment drift. I inspected and lubricated everything and the bolts are still intact and don't show cracking on my LCAs, still though that doesn't mean the material has been compromised.

During installation I had some serious concerns about these bolts and what they're being asked to hold up to, especially during shock loading of the front suspension.

I'm going to have to change these to the studs when I install my coilovers and front caster bushings for next season.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Damn! I was just under my car last weekend correcting some alignment drift. I inspected and lubricated everything and the bolts are still intact and don't show cracking on my LCAs, still though that doesn't mean the material has been compromised.

During installation I had some serious concerns about these bolts and what they're being asked to hold up to, especially during shock loading of the front suspension.

I'm going to have to change these to the studs when I install my coilovers and front caster bushings for next season.

Overall it’s a better bolt and they recommended changing them both (comes as a set). This is the pair for our car

https://www.splparts.com/products/lower-control-arm-replacement-stud-kit-g29.html

They sent notices and contacted people. Months and months back.

I bought some things from them direct and others from various vendors I suppose - nothing nada. You’d think there would be a better tracking system. Such as for drugs or guns. LOL that sounds funny but…

 

[decodeddiesel]

Overall it’s a better bolt and they recommended changing them both. This is the pair for our car

https://www.splparts.com/products/lower-control-arm-replacement-stud-kit-g29.html



I bought some things from them direct and others from various vendors I suppose. You’d think there would be a better tracking system. Such as for drugs or guns. LOL that sounds funny but…

Thanks for the link Brother. Just ordered a set.

 

[Rocksandblues]

just saying... shouldn't SPL be giving these upgraded bolts to customers is there is a known issue and bulletin?

 

[FLtrackdays]

just saying... shouldn't SPL be giving these upgraded bolts to customers is there is a known issue and bulletin?

The bulletin clearly states all the things we could have done wrong during the installation. Their way of saying we did nothing wrong but…. you should have done this instead. And now - introducing our new upgraded part that solves all those issues you idiots may do to our parts

https://www.splparts.com/trade-up-program/

I just need to figure out how many & which one of my parts are eligible for the trade up program.

 

[decodeddiesel]

just saying... shouldn't SPL be giving these upgraded bolts to customers is there is a known issue and bulletin?

They damn well should IMHO. I was not too happy about paying $58 + $23 shipping. I seriously looked at the Verkline parts to just replace the damn things, but I can't afford them right now.

To be completely honest, I have been really disappointed with SPL parts and their customer service. I would have gone with Verkline had I known.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Their customer service has been great for me. But I was pretty disappointed about this one. At least it happened on my 3rd track day (Sunday) right before lunch. So I got ½ a day in. And I didn’t get hurt! Another bonus

They damn well should IMHO. I was not too happy about paying $58 + $23 shipping. I seriously looked at the Verkline parts to just replace the damn things, but I can't afford them right now.

To be completely honest, I have been really disappointed with SPL parts and their customer service. I would have gone with Verkline had I known.

Besides the front control arms, I haven’t broken any other SPL parts. Yet 🫣

https://verklineusa.com/collections/toyota-gr-supra-a9x

Holy goodies sale Batman!

Of course it’s out of stock:

https://verklineusa.com/products/was-400

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