Matt's 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel had 53,000 miles on it when a front upper ball joint pulled out of its socket. The wheel folded under the truck. Thankfully, it happened in his driveway, not at highway speed. His truck was leveled and lifted, and still running the factory upper control arms.
In short: A leveling kit or lift puts a Ram 1500's factory upper control arms and ball joints at a steeper angle than they were designed for, and caster often ends up low. If your truck is leveled 2 inches or more, wanders after an alignment, or your shop can't get caster back in spec, upgrade to upper control arms built for lifted trucks, like JBA High Caster arms (built for 1" to 3.5" lifts, with 3° of built-in caster).
Matt let us share his photos so other Ram owners can catch this early. This post covers what failed, what a lift or leveling kit does to your factory upper control arms, the warning signs to watch for, and how to pick arms built for a lifted Ram 1500.
What failed: a stock upper ball joint at 53,000 miles
The upper ball joint connects the upper control arm to the top of the steering knuckle. On Matt's truck, the ball stud pulled out of the socket in the factory arm. With nothing holding the top of the knuckle, the wheel folded over.
No one can say for certain what caused this one failure. But if your Ram is leveled or lifted on its factory arms, it helps to know what that change asks of the upper ball joint.
What a leveling kit or lift does to your factory upper control arms
A leveling kit or lift doesn't give your front suspension more travel. It moves the suspension to a new starting point inside the travel it already had (JBA support).
That shift changes three things at once:
- Upper control arm angle. The arm sits at a steeper angle at ride height.
- Ball joint angle. The factory joint can end up working near the edge of its travel, and it gets worse at full droop.
- Caster. Caster often ends up low, and the alignment shop can run out of adjustment before it's back in spec.
The factory arm was designed for factory ride height. On a leveled truck, it works at the new angle every time the suspension moves. That's why arms built for lifted trucks reposition the ball joint and add caster. For more, see Upper vs Lower Control Arms and why lifted suspension parts wear faster without proper geometry.
Warning signs to check on a leveled or lifted Ram
Some failures give little warning, so check the front end after any level or lift. Watch for:
- Clunking or knocking from the front over bumps
- Wandering, darting or pulling on the highway
- Steering that feels light or vague
- Uneven tire wear, often on one edge
- An alignment shop saying caster is "maxed out"
- A torn ball joint boot, or play when the wheel is lifted and rocked top to bottom
- An upper arm sitting at a visibly steeper angle than stock
If you notice any of them, have the front end inspected before your next long drive.
Do you need upper control arms with a leveling kit or lift on a Ram 1500?
Not always, but often. Under about 2 inches of level, some trucks run fine on factory arms for a while if caster is checked at alignment. From about 2 inches up, or if caster won't come back into spec, the truck wanders, or the ball joint sits at a steep angle, upgraded upper control arms are the fix.
| Front lift | Factory upper arms | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2" level | Often OK short term | Check caster at alignment and inspect the ball joints |
| 2" to 3.5" level or lift | Working at a steeper angle | Upgrade to arms built for lifted trucks |
| 4"+ or cradle drop | Different geometry altogether | Use arms made for that lift type |
Bigger, heavier tires can justify new arms even on a mild level. More in Aftermarket Upper Control Arms: Why They're Worth the Upgrade.
Ram Rebel owners: you're starting about an inch higher
Rebels and Ram 1500s with the Off-Road package sit about 1 inch taller than a standard 1500 from the factory. Ram designed the factory arms for that height. A leveling kit adds more height on top of it, on the same factory arms.
Two checks before you order arms for a Rebel:
- Coil springs or air ride? JBA arms fit coil-spring trucks, not factory air suspension.
- 4WD? JBA arms fit 4WD Ram 1500s only.
How JBA upper control arms are built for lifted Ram 1500s
JBA High Caster Upper Control Arms are built for 1" to 3.5" lifts and leveling kits on 4WD Ram 1500s, 2006 to current.
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Lift range | 1" to 3.5" spring lift or leveling kit |
| Caster | 3° built in; 3° to 4.5° after alignment with a lift |
| Ball joint | JBA Max 90: replaceable, CNC-machined 4140 steel, 90° range of motion, sealed boot, grease fitting |
| Bushings | Patented JBA EZ Lube synthetic elastomer, 2 grease ports per arm |
| Arms | 1.313" domestic DOM steel tubing, red powder coat, made in USA |
| Install | Pre-assembled; 1 to 3 hours |
| Warranty | JBA lifetime warranty, 100% money-back guarantee (conditions apply), 360-day returns |
| Fitment limits | 4WD only; not for factory air ride |
The ball joint is the part that failed on Matt's truck. The Max 90 joint has a wide range of motion for lifted angles, and you can grease it and replace it on its own instead of replacing the whole arm. More on why weak factory ball joints are a reason to upgrade.
Put your leveled or lifted Ram on arms built for it
If your Ram 1500 is leveled or lifted on its factory upper control arms, now is the time to upgrade, before your next alignment or long trip.
Shop JBA Ram 1500 Upper Control Arms
Not sure what fits? Send us your year, trim and lift height through our contact page, and we'll point you to the right arms.
Every set is made in the USA and backed by JBA's lifetime warranty and money-back guarantee.
Thanks to Matt for letting us share his photos so other Ram owners can catch this early.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need upper control arms for a 2-inch level on a Ram 1500?
Often, yes. At about 2 inches, the factory arm and ball joint work at a steeper angle, and caster can end up low. If your alignment shop can't get caster back in spec, or the truck wanders, upgrade the arms.
Do I need new upper control arms with a lift kit on a Ram 1500?
Usually, yes. A spring or spacer lift changes the factory arm and ball joint angles the same way a level does, only more. JBA High Caster arms are built for 1" to 3.5" lifts and leveling kits. Cradle drop lifts of 4" or more need arms made for that lift type.
Will JBA upper control arms fit a Ram Rebel?
Yes, on 4WD Rebels with coil springs and a 1" to 3.5" level or lift. They don't fit trucks with factory air suspension. Check fitment.
What does "high caster" mean?
The upper ball joint sits farther back toward the cab. That gives the alignment tech room to move the lower ball joint forward. JBA arms add 3° of caster, which helps correct drift and wandering after a lift.
Do I need an alignment after installing upper control arms?
Yes. JBA's caster range of 3° to 4.5° is reached during the alignment after install.
How often should I grease JBA upper control arms?
Every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or at each oil change, and after mud or water crossings. Use a moly EP lithium grease and pump the ball joint until the boot swells, about 3 to 4 pumps.
Ball joint or uniball for a daily-driven Ram?
JBA's sealed Max 90 ball joint is built for daily driving. Uniballs are built for racing and can wear faster from dust and debris. See JBA ball joint vs uniball.