Restore Factory Alignment and Unlock True Off-Road Capability on Your 2021-2025 Ford F-150
When you lift your F-150, the factory upper control arms simply cannot keep up. The stock geometry pushes camber and caster outside of the factory adjustment range, leading to uneven tire wear, compromised handling, and a suspension that fights you instead of working with you. The ARB Old Man Emu UCA0017 upper control arms are purpose-built to correct that geometry on 2021-2025 Ford F-150 trucks, bringing the alignment cams back into an acceptable range so your lifted truck handles exactly as it should both on the pavement and in the backcountry.
What Makes the ARB OME UCA0017 the Right Choice
The UCA0017 is not a universal part trimmed to fit. It is a vehicle-specific upper control arm engineered from the ground up for the 14th-generation Ford F-150 platform. ARB’s Old Man Emu division has spent decades developing suspension components that meet real-world off-road demands, and the UCA0017 reflects that heritage in every detail.
- Tubular steel construction with forged eyelet and ball joint housings for exceptional strength without unnecessary weight
- GIIRO bushings that are free-pivoting, grease-free, and maintenance-free, delivering smooth articulation over the lifetime of the arm
- Heavy-duty greaseable ball joint with a protective cap to resist contamination and extend service life
- ARB Intergrit powder-coat finish for long-term corrosion resistance in mud, sand, and water crossings
- Forged ball joint housing engineered to handle the stresses of elevated suspension travel
- Mount provision for OE ABS sensor wiring so factory safety systems stay fully functional
- Corrects camber and caster alignment for lifted applications, typically providing up to 2.5 to 3.5 degrees of additional caster and up to 1.5 degrees of negative camber correction
- Paired and packaged in a protective box with foam inserts and fitting instructions included
Product Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) | UCA0017 |
| Brand | ARB Old Man Emu (OME) |
| Construction | Tubular steel with forged eyelets and ball joint housings |
| Bushing Type | GIIRO free-pivoting, grease-free, maintenance-free |
| Ball Joint | Heavy-duty greaseable with protective cap |
| Finish | ARB Intergrit powder coat |
| Sold As | Pair (left and right) |
| Caster Correction (approx.) | +2.5 to +3.5 degrees (at 2 in lift) |
| Camber Correction (approx.) | Up to -1.5 degrees (at 2 in lift) |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| UPC | 701420416171 |
| Prop 65 | Yes – see warning below |
What Is Included
- 1x Driver-side ARB OME UCA0017 upper control arm
- 1x Passenger-side ARB OME UCA0017 upper control arm
- Greaseable ball joints pre-installed with protective caps
- GIIRO bushings pre-installed
- ARB Old Man Emu fitting instructions
- Protective foam-insert packaging box
Hardware to mount the UCA0017 to the factory frame pockets uses OEM-specification Ford fasteners. Retain your factory mounting hardware during removal.
Fitment Application
The UCA0017 is designed and validated for the following Ford F-150 model years. All trim levels with independent front suspension (IFS) and factory upper control arms are covered. Confirm your configuration before ordering.
| Year | Make | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | F-150 | All IFS trims, 4WD and 2WD |
| 2022 | Ford | F-150 | All IFS trims, 4WD and 2WD |
| 2023 | Ford | F-150 | All IFS trims, 4WD and 2WD |
| 2024 | Ford | F-150 | All IFS trims, 4WD and 2WD |
| 2025 | Ford | F-150 | All IFS trims, 4WD and 2WD |
The UCA0017 is designed for use with suspension lift kits that utilize the factory-style upper control arm mounting locations. It pairs directly with ARB Old Man Emu coilovers and lift kits for the Ford F-150 platform, including the MT64 series. Always verify wheel backspacing clearance when running aftermarket tires wider than stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to replace my upper control arms every time I install a lift kit?
A: Not every lift kit requires new upper control arms, but any lift over approximately 1.5 inches on an IFS truck like the F-150 will push camber and caster outside of the factory adjustment range. The UCA0017 is designed to correct that geometry, making it an essential pairing with coilover-based lift kits on 2021-2025 F-150 trucks.
Q: Will the UCA0017 work with a stock-height F-150?
A: The UCA0017 is optimized for lifted applications. On a stock-height truck, the alignment correction provided by the arm is less critical. It is most valuable when used alongside a suspension lift of 1.5 to 2.5 inches or more.
Q: Does the UCA0017 work with the F-150 ride-height sensor?
A: The UCA0017 includes a mount provision for the OE ABS sensor wiring. Trucks equipped with a ride-height sensor on the driver-side upper control arm will require disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor linkage during installation. Refer to the included fitting instructions for the correct procedure.
Q: Is a wheel alignment required after installation?
A: Yes, a full front-end wheel alignment is required after installing the UCA0017. This is standard procedure for any upper control arm replacement and is necessary to set camber, caster, and toe to the correct specifications for safe and even tire wear.
Q: What lifts are compatible with the UCA0017?
A: The UCA0017 pairs directly with ARB Old Man Emu MT64 coilovers and lift kits designed for the 2021-2025 Ford F-150. It is also compatible with other coilover-based lift kits that use the factory upper control arm mounting locations. Always verify compatibility with your specific lift kit manufacturer.
Q: Does the UCA0017 come as a pair or as a single arm?
A: The UCA0017 is sold as a pair, including both the driver-side and passenger-side upper control arms. Both arms are boxed together in foam-insert packaging with fitting instructions.
Q: What is the warranty on the ARB OME UCA0017?
A: ARB backs the UCA0017 with a 3-year warranty. This covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal off-road use conditions. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, this warranty cannot be voided simply because you use the vehicle off-road or install other aftermarket parts.
Q: How often do I need to grease the ball joints on the UCA0017?
A: The UCA0017 ball joints are greaseable via a zerk fitting. ARB recommends greasing at installation and at regular service intervals thereafter. The GIIRO bushings are grease-free and maintenance-free for the life of the arm.
Q: Will the UCA0017 clear aftermarket wheels and oversized tires?
A: Wheel backspacing and tire width both affect clearance with any aftermarket upper control arm. For most F-150 builds, a maximum wheel backspacing of 5 to 5.5 inches is recommended to clear the arm and ball joint housing when running tires up to 12.5 inches wide. Always check clearance at full steering lock and full suspension droop before finalizing your wheel and tire selection.
Q: Is the UCA0017 compatible with the F-150 Lightning or F-150 Raptor?
A: The UCA0017 is validated for the standard 2021-2025 Ford F-150. The F-150 Raptor uses a completely different suspension architecture. Verify compatibility with ARB or your installer before ordering for any non-standard F-150 variant.
Installation Overview
Installation of the UCA0017 is a direct bolt-in replacement for the factory upper control arms on 2021-2025 Ford F-150 trucks. A professional installer or experienced DIY builder with a lift, jackstands, and a torque wrench can complete the job. A full front-end wheel alignment is required after installation.
- Park on a clean, level surface. Block rear wheels for safety.
- Raise the front of the vehicle and support the frame rails on jackstands. Never work under an unsupported vehicle.
- Remove the front wheels.
- If the vehicle has a ride-height sensor on the upper control arm, disconnect the sensor linkage before removing the arm.
- Using Ford Service Tool 204-592 (or equivalent ball joint separator), disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle. Do not strike the knuckle to break the taper loose.
- Remove the two bolts attaching the upper control arm to the frame. Retain factory hardware.
- Install the new ARB OME UCA0017 arm into the factory frame pockets using the factory mounting hardware. Snug the hardware but do not fully torque at this stage.
- If a ride-height sensor was removed, reattach the sensor linkage using the applicable adapter bracket.
- Attach the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle using factory hardware. Torque ball joint nut per ARB fitting instructions (typically 46 ft-lbs with included hardware).
- Grease the ball joint through the zerk fitting.
- Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts to factory specifications.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground so the suspension rests under its own weight, then torque the bushing pivot hardware to factory specification (typically 122 ft-lbs).
- Schedule a full front-end alignment before driving.
- Recheck all fastener torque after the first 500 miles.
Note: Check fender clearance when running aftermarket tires or wheels. Maximum wheel backspacing recommendations should be verified against your specific tire and wheel combination. Fitting instructions with vehicle-specific torque values are included with every UCA0017 kit.
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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