INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

2021-2023 GM SUV 4WD

3” BALL JOINT UCA SUSPENSION KIT
FTS21290

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.

Fabtech Motorsports | 4331 Eucalyptus Ave. Chino, CA 91710

Tech Line: 909-597-7800 | Fax: 909-597-7185 | Web: www.fabtechmotorsports.com
 FTS21290 3” GM SUV BJ UCA SYSTEM
2 FT20619 BALL JOINT
1 FT20833 UPPER CONTROL ARM (DRIVER)
1 FT20834 UPPER CONTROL ARM (PASSENGER)
1 FT20965 REAR LINK (DRIVER)
FT20634 - HARDWARE KIT LOCATION
1 FT20966 REAR LINK (PASSENGER)
4 M14-2.0 X 100MM HEX BOLT
1 FT20972 HARDWARE SUBASSEMBLY
8 M14 WASHER
4 M14-2.0 C-LOCK NUT

FT20972 HARDWARE SUBASSEMBLY 8 5/16-18 X 1” HEX BOLT

4 FT1037 CONTROL ARM BUSHING 16 5/16” WASHER

4 FT1038 CONTROL ARM BUSHING 8 5/16-18 C-LCOK NUT

8 FT20836 WASHER 4 7/16-14 X 2-1/2 HEX BOLT

1 FT20837 HARDWARE KIT 14 7/16” WASHER

2 FT20962 REAR LINK SPACER (FLAT) 6 7/16-14 NYLOCK NUT

2 FT20963 REAR LINK SPACER (CONICAL) 4 7/16-14 C-LOCK NUT

4 FT20964 REAR LINK MISALIGNMENT 8 9/16” WASHER TRUCK ONLY

1 FT21290i INSTRUCTIONS 8 9/16-18 NYLOCK NUT TRUCK ONLY

4 FT626 SLEEVE 4 1/4-28 GREASE FITTING

1 FTAS12 STICKER 1 THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND

1 FTAS16 DRIVER WARNING DECAL

1 FTLUBE URETHANE GREASE PACKET
1 FTREGCARD REGISTRATION CARD

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 - 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: [email protected]

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.

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 - INSTRUCTIONS -

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 STRIKE
1-2 HERE

FIGURE 3 - STEP 3

FIGURE 1 - STEP 2

FIGURE 4 - STEP 3

4. Using a 36mm socket, remove and save the axle hub nut.
SEE FIGURE 5

FIGURE 2 - STEP 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. SEE
FIGURES 3-4 FIGURE 5 - STEP 4

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5. Remove and save the sway bar link nut from the bottom
side of the lower control arm. SEE FIGURE 6

FIGURE 8 - STEP 7

8. Remove the two lower coilover bolts. Then remove the

FIGURE 6 - STEP 5 coilover assembly from the vehicle. SEE FIGURES 9-10

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

FIGURE 9 - STEP 8

FIGURE 7 - STEP 6

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

FIGURE 10 - STEP 8

9. Remove the factory upper control arm from the vehicle

and save the hardware. Repeat steps 1-9 on the driver
side.

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 • Use instructions supplied with FTS21291 for 12. Locate the factory bumpstop tabs on the frame mount.
installation of the coilover spacers. Using a cutoff wheel remove this tab completely off the
mount and sand to a smooth finish. SEE FIGURES 13-14
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. SEE FIGURE 11

FT1037 Bushing

FT1038 Bushing (x2) Sleeve

FIGURE 13 - STEP 12

Sleeve
FT1037 Bushing

FIGURE 11 - STEP 10

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

FIGURE 14 - STEP 12

13. Install the FT20833 (Driver) & FT20834 (Pass) upper

control arms using the supplied M14 hardware. NOTE:
When installing the arms, install a 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

FT20836 Washer

FIGURE 12 - STEP 11

FIGURE 15 - STEP 13

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14. Reinstall the upper control arm to the knuckle, the sway REAR SUSPENSION
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 hub 15. Remove the factory rear link from the frame and the
nut and torque to 156 ft-lbs. Remove the bracket from the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURE 17
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.
SEE FIGURE 16

FIGURE 17 - STEP 15

16. On the new FT20965 (Driver link arm). Install two FT20964
(misalignments) into the most angled side of the new
FIGURE 16 - STEP 14 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

FIGURE 18 - STEP 16

FIGURE 19 - STEP 16
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17. With the lower control arm supported remove the lower 23. Check front end alignment and set to factory
strut hardware and save. Then remove and save the specifications. Readjust headlights.
hardware attaching the lower control arm to the knuckle.
SEE FIGURE 20 24. Recheck all bolts for proper torque. RE-TORQUE ALL
NUTS, BOLTS AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND
PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER UNTIL TORQUE
VALUES ARE RETAINED.

25. Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts

for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to
right.

26. 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.

27. Check ball joints, uniballs bearings, bushings and all

steering components every 2500-5000 miles for wear and
replace as required.
FIGURE 20 - STEP 17
28. Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product
18. Remove and save the upper strut hardware then remove registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive
the strut from the vehicle. SEE FIGURE 21 future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.

29. Review all included warnings and warranties with

consumer

For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800

FIGURE 21 - STEP 18

19. Use instructions provided in the FTS21291 box for

installation of the strut spacers.

20. 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 knuckle
hardware and torque to 160 ft-lbs.

21. Repeat steps for the passenger side.

22. 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.

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 - 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# - FT21290i 05/08/23
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