Bilstein 5100 issues

[GIJoe2010]

So, after reading the millions of 5100 vs. "X, Y,or Z" leveling spacer I'm going to be going with the 5100s to level my 14 1500.

I have a couple questions though:

Is it necessary to do new UCA's since they don't compress the spring like a spacer causing undue damage to the OEM UCA ball joints?

Or will the ball joints be put under more stress and need to be replaced regardless?

I'm not going to cheap out and not get UCA's, but if its not necessary at this time I'm going to hold off for a little bit.

 

[The Unabomber]

Get them now to save time and headaches later.

 

[BMD]

I still say look at the rancho loaded quick lift just my .02

 

[GIJoe2010]

Thanks for the input. I'll def get the Zone UCA's and be done with it in one shot.

 

[NYCruiser]

I think no matter how you do it, if you lift the front of the '14's more than just a tad you throw the geometry off enough to strain the upper ball joints. If its important to you to lift a '14, I would just get the UCA's too and not worry about it. JMO.

 

[11BPSMIKE]

I am waiting to install my Bilsteins and I have yet to find a confirmed ball joint issue on a 13-14 set at 2.1.

 

[NYCruiser]

I think 2.1 has been ok. Its the next setting that pops them. Depending on what the truck does, I guess. On the street may be ok, but if you take it off road and make it articulate it may pop.

 

[shaner82]

I had a 2013 Sport with the Bilsteins set at 2.1. I had them on there for about 20,000 KM's. I drove that thing off road a few times, and when I say off road, I mean on trails that typically only jeeps go on. I was climbing large rocks and flexing the hell out of that truck.

I had no issues whatsoever. That's not to say others won't have issues, but I stressed my truck about as much as possible and there were no issues at all.

 

[NYCruiser]

I think the problem started in '14. The control arms changed from '13 to '14.

 

[Cruizer]

If I'd bought a '13 or '14 I'd take it out and bounce the front end around like crazy. Just to see it the ball joints pop without lift. I can't believe they're shipping 4WD out with an issue like this.

 

[RAMWarrior1]

I've got a 6" procomp lift on my 2013. To avoid these ball joint issues would I need HD Upper Control Arms? I've been looking at the Zone Offroad and Fabtech ones (UCA's), question is, which ones fit for 6" of lift? In doing this id like to swap out to Bilsteins also since my spacers are complete garbage, would Bilsteins fit?