FABTECH FTS21290 Ball Joint UCA Suspension Kit Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- FABTECH
Table of Contents
FABTECH FTS21290 Ball Joint 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.
3” GM SUV BJ UCA SYSTEM
| FTS21290| 3” GM SUV BJ UCA SYSTEM
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2| FT20619| BALL JOINT
1| FT20833| UPPER CONTROL ARM (DRIVER)
1| FT20834| UPPER CONTROL ARM (PASSENGER)
1| FT20965| REAR LINK (DRIVER)
1| FT20966| REAR LINK (PASSENGER)
1| FT20972| HARDWARE SUBASSEMBLY
| FT20972| HARDWARE SUBASSEMBLY
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4| FT1037| CONTROL ARM BUSHING
4| FT1038| CONTROL ARM BUSHING
8| FT20836| WASHER
1| FT20837| HARDWARE KIT
2| FT20962| REAR LINK SPACER (FLAT)
2| FT20963| REAR LINK SPACER (CONICAL)
4| FT20964| REAR LINK MISALIGNMENT
1| FT21290i| INSTRUCTIONS
4| FT626| SLEEVE
1| FTAS12| STICKER
1| FTAS16| DRIVER WARNING DECAL
1| FTLUBE| URETHANE GREASE PACKET
1| FIREGUARD| REGISTRATION CARD
| FT20634 – HARDWARE KIT| LOCATION
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4| M14-2.0 X 100MM HEX BOLT|
8| M14 WASHER|
4| M14-2.0 C-LOCK NUT|
8| 5/16-18 X 1” HEX BOLT|
16| 5/16” WASHER|
8| 5/16-18 C-LCOK NUT|
4| 7/16-14 X 2-1/2 HEX BOLT|
14| 7/16” WASHER|
6| 7/16-14 NYLOCK NUT|
4| 7/16-14 C-LOCK NUT|
8| 9/16” WASHER| TRUCK ONLY
8| 9/16-18 NYLOCK NUT| TRUCK ONLY
4| 1/4-28 GREASE FITTING|
1| THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND|
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 rollover 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, uni balls, tie rod ends, pitman arm, and idler arm every 2500- 5000 miles for wear and replace as needed. Verify differential fluid is at the 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 manufacturer recommends 3 quarts of fluid, make sure the diff has 3 quarts of fluid). Check your specific manual for the 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 magnetite shocks.
- Will not fit models equipped with adaptive air ride suspension.
INSTRUCTIONS
FRONT SUSPENSION
- 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.
- 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
- 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. SEE FIGURES 3-4
- Using a 36mm socket, remove and save the axle hub nut. SEE FIGURE 5
- Remove and save the sway bar link nut from the bottom side of the lower control arm. SEE FIGURE 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. SEE FIGURE 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. SEE FIGURE 8
- Remove the two lower Coilover bolts. Then remove the Coilover assembly from the vehicle. SEE FIGURES 9-10
- Remove the factory upper control arm from the vehicle and save the hardware. Repeat steps 1-9 on the driver side.
- Use instructions supplied with FTS21291 for installation of the Coilover spacers.
- 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. SEE FIGURE 11
- Install FT20619 (Ball joint) onto the new upper control arm using the supplied 5/16”-18 x 1” bolts, washers and nuts from the hardware kit. Lube ball joint through zerk fitting. Torque to 29 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 12
- Locate the factory bump stop tabs on the frame mount. Using a cutoff wheel remove this tab completely off the mount and sand to a smooth finish. SEE FIGURES 13-14
- Install the FT20833 (Driver) & FT20834 (Pass) upper control arms using the supplied M14 hardware.
- NOTE: When installing the arms, install an FT20836 (washer) on both sides of the bushings. SEE FIGURE 15. Using the supplied thread locking compound, Torque the M14 upper control arm hardware to 160 ft-lbs
- Reinstall the upper control arm to the knuckle, the sway bar link to the lower control arm and the tie rod end to the knuckle torque all nuts to 35 ft-lbs. Reinstall the axle hubnut and torque to 156 ft-lbs. Remove the bracket from the ABS sensor line and attach to the brake line hose using] the supplied zip ties. Reinstall the brake line bracket to the knuckle using the factory hardware. Torque to 11 ft-lbs.MSEE FIGURE 16.
REAR SUSPENSION
- Remove the factory rear link from the frame and the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURE 17
- 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. SEE FIGURES 18-19
- 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. SEE FIGURE 20
- Remove and save the upper strut hardware then remove the strut from the vehicle. SEE FIGURE 21
- Use instructions provided in the FTS21291 box for installation of the strut spacers.
- 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. Reinstall the lower control arm to knucklehardware and torque to 160 ft-lbs.
- Repeat steps for the passenger side.
- 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.
- Check front-end alignment and set to factory specifications. Readjust headlights.
- Recheck all bolts for proper torque. RE-TORQUE ALL NUTS, BOLTS, AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND] PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER UNTIL TORQUE VALUES ARE RETAINED.
- Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.
- 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.
- Check ball joints, uniballs bearings, bushings and all steering components every 2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as required.
- Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.
- Review all included warnings and warranties with the consumer.
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 serviceable shocks 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 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 their seat belts, and avoid quick sharp turns and other sudden maneuvers.
For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800
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