FABTECH FTS21289 2021 GM SUV 4WD 3 Inch Uniball UCA Suspension Kit Instruction Manual

FABTECH FTS21289 2021 GM SUV 4WD 3 Inch Uniball UCA Suspension Kit

NOTE : TO ORDER WEARABLE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS DO NOT USE PART NUMBERS SHOWN ON THIS INSTRUCTION SHEET. GO TO FABTECH WEBSITE AND LOOK UP WEARABLE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FIND THE PROPER PART NUMBER TO ORDER

TOOL LIST

Required Tools (Not Included)

• Basic Hand Tools
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands
• Assorted Metric and S.A.E sockets, and Allen wrenches
• Torque Wrench
• Die Grinder w/ Cutoff Wheel or Sawzall

PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES

For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800 or e-mail: info@fabtechmotorsports.com

READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION

Check all parts to the parts list above before beginning installation. If any parts are missing contact Fabtech at 909-597-7800 and a replacement part will be sent to you immediately. This suspension and shocks have been designed to be installed on a stock vehicle. Read all instructions thoroughly from start to finish before beginning the installation. If these instructions are not properly followed severe frame, driveline and / or suspension damage may occur. Check your local city and state laws prior to the installation of this system for legality. Do not install if not legal in your area. Prior to the installation of this suspension system perform a front end alignment and record. Do not install this system if the vehicle alignment is not within factory specifications. Check for frame and suspension damage prior to installation. The installation of this suspension system should be performed by two professional mechanics. This suspension must be installed with Fabtech shock absorbers.
Installation of all fasteners requires the use of provided thread locking compound with proper torque values as indicated throughout the installation. Apply thread locking compound upon the final torque of the fastener.

WARNING – Installation of this system will alter the center of gravity of the vehicle and may increase roll over as compared to stock. Extreme care should be taken to operate the vehicle safely at all times to prevent rollover or loss of control resulting in serious injury or death. Vehicles that receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs, tie rods ends, pitman arm and idler arm every 2500- 5000 miles for wear and replace as needed. Verify differential fluid is at manufactures recommended level prior to kit installation. Installation of the kit will reposition the differential and the fill plug hole may be in a different position. (For example, if the manufacture recommends 3 quarts of fluid, make sure the diff has 3 quarts of fluid). Check your specific manual for correct amount of fluid. Read all warnings and warranties on the last page of these instructions before starting installation.

FOOTNOTES

• Will not fit models with factory magneride shocks.
• Will not fit models equipped with adaptive air ride suspension.

FRONT SUSPENSION

1. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Jack up the front end of the truck and support the frame rails with jack stands. NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE! Remove the front tires.

2. Starting with the passenger side. Disconnect the ABS wire bracket from the upper control arm and the brake line bracket from the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 1-2

3. Remove the factory tie rod end nut and strike the knuckle with a hammer till the tie rod end comes loose. Save all hardware. Use care not to hit any other parts

4. Using a 36mm socket, remove and save the axle hub nut

5. Remove and save the sway bar link nut from the bottom side of the lower control arm.

6. Loosen the upper ball joint nut and strike the knuckle with a hammer until it comes loose from the upper control arm. Next, remove the factory nut. Then, detach the knuckle from the upper control arm. Push the knuckle to the side and secure if possible

7. Locate the plastic wire harness channel on the top of the passenger side coilover mount. Push it up and back to allow access to the three coilover nuts. Remove the upper coilover nuts

8. Remove the two lower coilover bolts. Then remove the FIGURE 6 – STEP 5 coilover assembly from the vehicle

9. Remove the factory upper control arm from the vehicle and save the hardware. Repeat steps 1-9 on the driver side.

10. Locate the new Fabtech control arms, two FT1038 bushings, two FT1037 bushings, two FT84 grease zerks, and two FT626 sleeves. Using the supplied grease packet, grease the bushings and sleeves before installing into the control arm

11. Locate the factory bumpstop tabs on the frame mount. Using a cutoff wheel remove this tab completely off the mount and sand to a smooth finish

12. Install the FT20868 (Driver) & FT20869 (Pass) upper control arms using the supplied M14 hardware. Install the bolts with the bolt head inside the tower and the threaded end outside.
    NOTE : When installing the arms, install a FT20836 (washer) on both sides of the bushings. Do not tighten at this time. Final locktite/ torque procedure will be done at step 16.

13. Install FT90153 (Lower misalignment) onto FT94531 (Uniball Pin). Then, install into the factory control arm using the supplied 1/2” nut and washer. Torque the nut to 120 ft-lbs. using a 15/16” open end wrench on the pin end.

14. Attach the new upper control arm to the knuckle by inserting the FT90152 (Upper misalignment) into the uniball bearing then the 1/2-20 – 12 point bolt. Torque to 120 ft-lbs. Install FT90154 (Bearing cap).

15. Repeat steps on the opposite side.

16. Using the supplied thread lock torque the upper control arm frame pocket hardware to 148 ft-lbs.
    NOTE : Removal of the nut may be necessary to install the thread lock compound.
    REAR SUSPENSION

17. Remove the factory rear link from the frame and the knuckle. Save hardware

18. On the new FT20965 (Driver link arm). Install two FT20964 (misalignments) into the most angled side of the new link. Then install one FT20962 (flat misalignment) & one FT20963 (conical misalignment into the other end. Install the new link using the factory hardware. Torque to 153 ft lbs.
    NOTE : The conical side will be installed to the knuckle

19. With the lower control arm supported remove the lower strut hardware and save. Then remove and save the hardware attaching the lower control arm to the knuckle.

20. Remove and save the upper strut hardware then remove the strut from the vehicle

21. Use instructions provided in the FTS21291 box for installation of the strut spacers or FTS21293 for the Dirt Logic Coilovers.

22. Re install the strut using the supplied 7/16” hardware for the upper mount and the factory hardware for the lower. Torque the upper hardware to 62 ft-lbs and the lower to 106 ft-lbs.

23. Reinstall the lower control arm to knuckle hardware and torque to 160 ft-lbs.

24. Repeat steps for the passenger side.

25. Install tires and wheels and torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications. Turn front tires left to right and check for appropriate tire clearance. Note – Some oversized tires may require trimming of the front bumper & valance.

26. Check front end alignment and set to factory specifications. Readjust headlights.

27. Recheck all bolts for proper torque. RE-TORQUE ALL NUTS, BOLTS AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER UNTIL TORQUE VALUES ARE RETAINED.

28. Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.

29. Check the fluid in the front and rear differential and fill if needed with factory specification differential oil. Note – some differentials may expel fluid after filling and driving. This can be normal in resetting the fluid level with the new position of the differential/s.

30. Check ball joints, uniballs bearings, bushings and all steering components every 2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as required.

31. Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.

32. Review all included warnings and warranties with consumer

For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800

Product Warranty & Warnings

Fabtech provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original retail purchaser who owns the vehicle, on which the product was originally installed, for defects in workmanship and materials. The Limited Lifetime Warranty excludes the following Fabtech items; bushings, bump stops, ball joints, Uniball bearings, tie rod ends, limiting straps, cross shafts, heim joints and driveshafts. These parts are subject to wear and are not considered defective when worn. They are warranted for 60 days from the date of purchase for defects in workmanship. Dirt Logic take apart shocks are considered a serviceable shock with a 1-year warranty against any manufacturer’s defects. If a shock fails within the initial year of ownership, the owner must ship the shock to Fabtech for inspection and service.

If after examination the shock is determined to have failed due to neglect, damage caused by improper installation, or any reason other than “normal wear and tear,” the owner of the shock will be responsible for all service costs. Costs include labor, parts, and shipping. Service seal kits are available separately for future maintenance. All other shocks are covered under our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Fabtech does not warrant any product for finish, alterations, modifications and/or installation contrary to Fabtech’s instructions. Alterations to the finish of the parts including but not limited to painting, powder coating, plating and/or welding will void all warranties. Some finish damage may occur to parts during shipping, which is considered normal and is not covered under warranty.

Fabtech products are not designed nor intended to be installed on vehicles used in race applications or for racing purposes or for similar activities. This warranty does not include coverage for police, taxi, first responder vehicles, race vehicles, or vehicles used for government, commercial or fleet purposes. Also excluded from this warranty are sales outside of the United States of America. Installation of most suspension products will raise the center of gravity of the vehicle and will cause the vehicle to handle differently than stock. It may increase the vehicle’s susceptibility to a rollover, on road and off road, at all speeds.

Extreme care should be taken to operate the vehicle safely at all times to prevent rollover or loss of control resulting in serious injury or death. Oversized tires and wheels may decrease the vehicle’s braking capacity. Drivers should always brake early and be aware of the increased the stopping distance of the vehicle. Drivers should adjust their driving habits to the effectiveness of the braking. Adjust your driving habits to these changes. Failure to drive safely may result in serious injury or death to driver and passengers. Driver and passengers must ALWAYS wear your seat belts, avoid quick sharp turns and other sudden maneuvers

Instruction Sheet Part# – FT21289i

Fabtech Motorsports | 4331 Eucalyptus Ave. Chino, CA 91710 Tech Line: 909-597-7800 | Fax: 909-597-7185 | Web: www.fabtechmotorsports.com

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