When you level or lift your 2020-25 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500 3.0L Duramax (LM2/LZ0), you’re adding stress that the factory suspension was not designed to handle. One of the biggest weak points? The OEM upper control arms (UCAs).
The Problem With Stock UCA’s
GM’s factory arms use a steel stud that is pressed into an aluminum cup, with plastic internals, and has very little reinforcement. This setup is already prone to accelerated wear. Once you introduce bigger tires, altered geometry or additional ride height, that weakness shows up fast.
The result? Premature wear or complete separation of the ball joint. When the wheel falls off, this can cause catastrophic damage not only to your suspension but also to your tie rods, CV axles, and possibly body panels. For anyone running a leveled or lifted truck, this is a necessity.
But is this really true? Yes, NHTSA has issued a safety recall, 21V-718. The reason for the recall states that the control arms can suffer from “accelerated wear on the GM-installed ball joint in the front upper control arm can result in premature failure and the affected front wheel separating while the vehicle is in motion. Partial or total separation of a front wheel while the vehicle is in motion can increase the risk of a crash.” (NHTSA 21V-718). The remedy is aftermarket control arms that are reinforced and designed for the additional stress of larger wheels and tires.
How to solve the problem
We recommend upgrading to Kryptonite UCA’s. They are built to eliminate the shortcomings of the OEM design and give your suspension the reliability it needs under real-world conditions:
Stronger boxed steel design, premium ball joints that have a pullout strength over 10x as much as the factory joints, additional caster and droop travel, OEM integration tabs for brake lines and ride height sensors, made in the USA. These arms don't just fix the problem, they future proof your front suspension. Whether you're stock, leveled, or running a full lift, the Kryptonite UCA’s provide the durability and confidence the factory simply cannot match.
Why Upgrade Now?
If you have already invested in a leveling kit or larger tires, don't leave your stock UCA’s as the weak link. Upgrading before failure saves you money, protects your truck, and ensures peace of mind on and offroad.
At DmaxStore, we carry a lot of different options, but Kryptonite remains our go-to choice for GM 1500 Duramax trucks. Their combination of strength, reliability, and warranty support makes them the clear upgrade patch for anyone serious about their build.
Shop Kryptonite Upper control arms at dmaxstore.com
