Composite Upper Control Arm

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Sure, enough my 5th Ram 1500 has a plastic composite upper control arm it's wrapped with metal, I took a magnet to it, on the underside it has plastic webbing to reinforce it, word has it's for cost cutting and weight reduction, we all know the upper control arm supports the spindle hub Assy and is for caster/ camber adjustment not allot of weight baring, don't know if I'm OK with this, I do some off-roading, Is this going to be a weak link, thinking accident good or bad if it's folds, thoughts all!!

 

[Mlarv5]

Plastics have come a long way. With that said, if you are a serious off roader I would change them out. Plastic in cold weather is brittle, in hot weather it is pliable. Myself I will leave it stock and see how it does. I got rid of my off road rig because I wasn't offloading pretty much anymore.

 

[Riccochet]

I'd guess that a majority of buyers never leave the pavement. Since it doesn't really support load like the lower control arm it's probably fine for 99% of people. At least for the warranty period. lol

 

[Mlarv5]

I wonder if the Rebal and TRX are the same way.

 

[DILLIGAF]

They suck regardless of material. Its an OEM part design by been counters.

Best upgrades are the core 4x4

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Can always upgrade to a stronger one. RAM is also notorious for weak ball joints, they have gotten better but still a weak area. Plus if your off roading you likely will want more ground clearance and wanting at least a level kit which then leads to upgrading to angle correcting UCA's.

If you want to upgrade your UCA's let me know, we offer many options like Core, Icon, Zone, and more. Just send me a message for more info and a quote

 

[Dusty]

Sure, enough my 5th Ram 1500 has a plastic composite upper control arm it's wrapped with metal, I took a magnet to it, on the underside it has plastic webbing to reinforce it, word has it's for cost cutting and weight reduction, we all know the upper control arm supports the spindle hub Assy and is for caster/ camber adjustment not allot of weight baring, don't know if I'm OK with this, I do some off-roading, Is this going to be a weak link, thinking accident good or bad if it's folds, thoughts all!!

They've been like that since 2019. How many failures have you heard of?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 133066 miles.

 

[Lloyd33]

Aren't the ball joints on those basically fused into the plastic molding?
So you have to replace the entire upper control arm just to change your upper ball joint?!
Yeah.. "cost saving"..

 

[Dusty]

Aren't the ball joints on those basically fused into the plastic molding?
So you have to replace the entire upper control arm just to change your upper ball joint?!
Yeah.. "cost saving"..

Unless there's an aftermarket solution, upper ball joints being changed with the entire control arm is not new. I know on older Dakotas it was the same way. My neighbor just changed the uppers on his Ford Fusion and that's the way they came.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 133143 miles.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Found this...

The New Ram 1500 Has 'Plastic' Control Arms, And That’s OK. Here's Why https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-new-ram-1500-has-plastic-control-arms-and-thats-ok-heres-why

 

[Dusty]

Found this...

The New Ram 1500 Has 'Plastic' Control Arms, And That’s OK. Here's Why https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-new-ram-1500-has-plastic-control-arms-and-thats-ok-heres-why

The comments from the Ram critics is a good example of sophomoric thinking, judging by appearance and feel without a complete understanding of the design.

Much like a lot of what's on the Web. This also dispels the myth that this new design was a "cost savings" as some have claimed.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 133194 miles.

 

[mikeru]

Aren't the ball joints on those basically fused into the plastic molding?
So you have to replace the entire upper control arm just to change your upper ball joint?!
Yeah.. "cost saving"..

The cost savings are in the favor of the car maker, not the buyer. It definitely factors into the final price, but car makers are constantly striving to reduce their cost to build a product, which helps keep the final sale price down. It has nothing to do with an owner’s cost to repair or replace worn parts after the vehicle purchase.

 

[Six Turboed]

Sure, enough my 5th Ram 1500 has a plastic composite upper control arm it's wrapped with metal, I took a magnet to it, on the underside it has plastic webbing to reinforce it, word has it's for cost cutting and weight reduction, we all know the upper control arm supports the spindle hub Assy and is for caster/ camber adjustment not allot of weight baring, don't know if I'm OK with this, I do some off-roading, Is this going to be a weak link, thinking accident good or bad if it's folds, thoughts all!!

Other way around. They are steel with a composite coating.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Other way around. They are steel with a composite coating.

No, they are not, they are composite plastic W a steel shell wrapped around the plastic, again take a magnet to it, also those plastic webs underneath are all plastic, WOW bean counters unite, Skullantics saved $ Dollars per unit, I have a friend that has a towing company, he says that any ram he picks up on his rollback if it been in a front end accident the upper control arm has folded.

 

[Burla]

No, they are not, they are composite plastic W a steel shell wrapped around the plastic, again take a magnet to it, also those plastic webs underneath are all plastic, WOW bean counters unite, Skullantics saved $ Dollars per unit, I have a friend that has a towing company, he says that any ram he picks up on his rollback if it been in a front end accident the upper control arm has folded.

That's the sad part of it man, steel is stronger and cheaper!! They put that plastic crap to kiss EPA's ass on fuel efficiency. Thanks for giving me a control arm that can implode if the pot hole is big enough, jez.

Ram began using composite upper control arms on the Ram 1500 (5th generation, DT) starting with the 2019 model year. These arms are actually a composite material integrated with a steel structure, designed for lightweighting and weight reduction

 

[Six Turboed]

No, they are not, they are composite plastic W a steel shell wrapped around the plastic, again take a magnet to it, also those plastic webs underneath are all plastic, WOW bean counters unite, Skullantics saved $ Dollars per unit, I have a friend that has a towing company, he says that any ram he picks up on his rollback if it been in a front end accident the upper control arm has folded.

I think you should do some more investigating and read a few articles. Do not know where you get your information but who ever is telling you that, is not right! Then after you read a bunch and still think your are right go to a junk yard and buy one cut it and let us know. Or order a new one and do a video for everyone. Putting hot metal over a composite does not mix good!!!
Hilariously Funny!!!!
You can start here!

The Ram 1500 Has Been Running "Plastic" Control Arms Since 2018

Modern materials science is more than what meets the eye.

www.hotcars.com

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Because of me worrying about me and others safety and telling you this hot garbage control arm is a weight reduction and cost cutting you can't get it through your control tower Maybe this is a safety issue.

 

[Riccochet]

If composite upper control arms were a safety issue we'd have known by now since they've been used since 2019.

 

[Six Turboed]

It gets to be a bit much all the chicken little crap about the sky is falling!! The sky is falling. I see nothing but a positive with them being coated, cuts down on weight, and also helps with corrosion. Both have been pointed out in numerous articles. The dealer I go to is a big Ram Jeep dealer and I called and asked the manager of the service department if they have had any troubles and he said there has not been a one come in!! If you don't like the new trucks then go buy sumtin else. I sure don't need you worrying about my safety, spreading BS lies and nonsense. Get your facts straight. These things are steel just like they have been made for years. All this naysayer BS is just that, it is just nonsense BS.
THEY ARE MADE OF STEEL AND COATED WITH A COMPOSITE!!!
THEY ARE STEEL!!!! THE END!!!!
GEEZ!!!
Here is another little tidbit for ya!!!

New Ram 1500s use composite upper control arms (UCA), which has raised concerns about their durability. While some worry about potential breakage, especially with potholes or extreme use, the arms are designed with a steel structure and e-coated for corrosion resistance. The upper control arm's primary function is to stabilize the wheel and allow for suspension flex, while the lower control arm bears more load. Many mechanics report they haven't seen many failures, and some suggest that lift kits or wheel issues are often the cause of reported problems, not the UCA itself.

 

[Burla]

They already had a corrosion resistant option and over 50% lighter available then this garbage, it is called wait for it... Aluminum. Wanting good things for trucks that routinely cost 80 grand is just smart. Ram is concentrating on the wrong thing, make trucks for trucks guys would have been good business, instead we have what we have now, well the results were predictable, ram is dying on the vine when everyone else who makes a truck is killing it. Face it Ram's are now euro to the bone, every single item in these trucks reek like euro trash. They cant wait to hang GPF on these, when they do Dorothy is going byby. They increase the particulates with di turbos, creating the need they didn't have with the hemi for GPF, force air in large engines, then restrict it, all along having super complicated systems, and low quality parts. I am eating popcorn watching this train go by, one thing is for sure, I'm not buying a ticket for this ride...