2013 Chevy Avalanche Upper Control Arm

Upper Control Arms Engineered for 2007-2013 Chevy Avalanche Trucks

The 2014 Chevy Avalanche upper control arm from JBA replaces factory sealed suspension control arm assemblies with a fully serviceable design. Factory control arms use sealed ball joints and pressed bushings that fail without warning on lifted Chevy Avalanche vehicles or trucks running heavy loads. JBA arms upper assemblies feature Max 90 Ball Joints CNC-machined from 4140 chromoly steel with 90-degree articulation and EZ Lube Bushings with 8 individual grease ports. You maintain them on your schedule instead of replacing them on the trail.

Each front upper control arm includes an adjustable ball joint assembly designed specifically for proper alignment after suspension lifts. The Avalanche upper control arms ship as a matched pair with all mounting hardware for both driver and passenger sides. Compatibility spans 2007-2013 Chevy and Chevrolet Avalanche models, including Black Diamond edition trucks.

Max 90 Ball Joint Strength

The Max 90 Ball Joint delivers 90-degree articulation through precision CNC machining. Every ball joint starts as a solid billet of 4140 chromoly steel, not cast metal. The stud diameter and taper match OE specifications while the housing adds material where stress concentrates during compression and rebound cycles.

Sealed factory ball joints trap contaminants and moisture until the joint fails. JBA ball joints accept grease through a dedicated zerk fitting. You pump fresh lubricant through the bearing surface and flush out debris every 3,000 miles or after water crossings. When wear eventually occurs after years of service, you replace the ball joint without replacing the entire control arm. That's the difference between a $60 rebuild and a $400 replacement.

EZ Lube Bushings With Pressure Relief

EZ Lube Bushings use 8 grease ports with individual pressure relief valves. Most aftermarket control arms use polyurethane bushings that bind under articulation or rubber bushings that tear. JBA's design allows the bushing to accept grease at each stress point while venting excess pressure to prevent hydraulic lock.

The avalanche front suspension sees constant load variation as the truck transitions from pavement to off-camber trails. Lower control arm bushings handle compression loads while upper control bushings manage tension and lateral forces. JBA bushings maintain compliance across that range because you control the lubrication interval. Grease them every oil change or every 5,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Why Rebuildable Matters for Your Truck

Sealed control arms force you to replace the entire assembly when any single component fails. A worn ball joint means discarding a perfectly good arm and two functional bushings. JBA's rebuildable architecture lets you service individual parts. Replace the ball joint, refresh the bushings, or swap the adjustable ball joint assembly if you change lift height. The arm itself carries a lifetime structural warranty, so you're buying the last upper control arm your Avalanche will ever need.

Fleet operators running Chevrolet trucks in remote locations keep rebuild kits on hand instead of stocking complete arms. A jungle expedition customer reported rebuilding both front upper control arms in 90 minutes using basic hand tools after a ball joint showed play at 47,000 miles. The arms stayed on the truck. That's not possible with sealed designs.

Designed Specifically for Lifted Applications

Factory upper control arms use fixed ball joint angles that create negative camber and accelerate tire wear after a suspension lift. JBA arms include adjustable ball joint assemblies that restore proper alignment geometry. The adjustment range accommodates 0-6 inch lifts without aftermarket drop brackets or modified lower control arm mounts.

Heavy-duty upper control arm kits from JBA ship with alignment specifications and torque values. Most customers achieve factory alignment specs within 20 minutes per side using a floor jack and impact wrench. No press required, no special tools, no trips to a machine shop.

Installation and Customer Information

Each upper control arm for 2016 Avalanche kit includes Grade 8 hardware, jam nuts for the adjustable ball joint assembly, and a grease packet for initial assembly. You'll need a ball joint separator, a torque wrench, and basic hand tools. Installation takes 2-3 hours for both sides if you're working alone.

Alignment is required after installation. Bring your alignment shop the included specification sheet showing factory camber and caster ranges. The adjustable design lets the technician dial in your preferred settings without slotting frame mounts or adding shims.

Warranty and Service Life

JBA backs every arm with a lifetime structural warranty covering welds, tubing, and brackets. Ball joints and bushings are wear items serviceable at your discretion. Most customers report 40,000-60,000 miles between ball joint rebuilds in daily-driven trucks. Off-road-focused builds running 35-inch tires and frequent trail use typically service ball joints every 20,000-30,000 miles.

The Gen 4.5 design has been deployed in thousands of GMT900 platform trucks since 2007. You're not buying an untested product. You're buying two decades of engineering refinement and documented performance in everything from fleet service to desert pre-runners.

Shop UCAs backed by a lifetime structural warranty and rebuildable architecture. Select your year and model to confirm compatibility, or contact our team for technical information on lift-specific applications.