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Bilstein has always been synonymous with the advancement of motorsports and off-road driving. As the first company to apply single-tube air shock absorbers to vehicles in the 1950s, Bilstein became a leader in the field of automotive suspension. Since then, drivers have integrated these products to improve the off-road driving capabilities of their vehicles. Today, Billstein is entering a new category. They just announced the launch of the Bilstein upper control arm.

In the United States, Bilstein is widely known for its blue and yellow OEM replacement shock absorbers. You may have seen these bolts fixed underneath your neighbor's 4×4 truck. In fact, Bilstein provides more than just shock absorbers, coils and dampers. They are high-volume OE suppliers and also provide many high-performance products for the aftermarket. This includes a complete kit with all the necessary components to turn your ride into a high-performance machine; components such as the Bilstein upper control arm (UCA) under the B8 name.

You ask why someone needs after-sales UCA? Trucks and SUVs come from the factory and have the fewest possible adjustments. When car owners decide to raise or level their suspension, they may encounter clearance issues and may modify the camber angle beyond the factory specifications. Abnormal camber makes your rig difficult to drive, difficult to control, and may cause premature tire wear, or worse.

The Bilstein upper control arm is manufactured in the United States, provides a limited lifetime warranty, and is designed with CAD to increase the camber angle. This helps maintain the correct designated alignment after lifting the vehicle. They are handmade from tubular 4130 chrome steel, which means they are durable and can withstand the harsh tests of off-road driving. This is a major upgrade in strength compared to the stock upper control arm made of cast iron on modern trucks. Even now, original equipment manufacturers are using more sturdier, lighter, carefully crafted cast aluminum arms, but unfortunately, over time, because aluminum is a softer metal, some are prone to bend and crack . Bilstein integrated formed steel bushing gussets for additional reinforcement. They have merged them together through professional mig welding.

We know that there are many control arms available in the aftermarket. We also understand and trust Bilstein's long history of quality manufacturing processes. Although Bilstein revolutionized the automotive industry with its damping technology as early as 1954, the company has more than 140 years of innovation experience and advanced German engineering pedigree. This is tantamount to unremitting attention to detail, highlighting a comprehensive commitment to quality.

You should also notice Billstein's impressive tradition in motorsports. For more than 50 years, their products have been successfully used in various racing projects. From cross-country World Cup championships, short track racing championships and rally world championships to most 24-hour races and Formula One championship winners, Bill Stein is a supplier of race-winning technology and components.

With the Bilstein upper control arm, you can expect the performance concept to gradually penetrate and strengthen. Off Road Xtreme spoke with Shane Casad, Bilstein's director of product management, to gain more insights. 

"When raising an independent front suspension truck by 2-3 inches, replacing the upper control arm is a very popular way. We are often asked, "What control arm should I use with the Bilstein leveling suspension." "We believe that answering this question by providing a UCA that guarantees flawless operation is a huge benefit for our customers."

Shane continued, “The B8 control arm is an easy-to-install, direct-mount solution designed to correct the suspension geometry and increase the suspension travel of crane trucks and SUVs. These high-quality upper control arms have a greater caster angle And the improved ball joint pivot angle, which can provide higher straight-line stability and extra wheel travel on rough roads. They are the perfect complement to the Bilstein 5100 RHA, 6100 RHA, 6112 and 8112 suspension kits."

"We make sure that UCA will clear all our suspension and suspension packages," Casad explained, regarding the thorough testing of the product. "On our high-end shock absorbers with remote reservoirs and adjustable spring seats, these packages can become bulky, and the B8 control arm will provide proper clearance. We conduct real-world tests in desert conditions."

"If someone is looking for better strength and the ability to achieve better alignment specifications, combined with the Bilstein IFS leveling package, the B8 control arm is guaranteed to fit and run perfectly."

Bilstein's UCA allows the wheels to move up and down while preventing forward and backward movement. Integrated polyurethane or polyoxymethylene bushings and heavy-duty OEM quality sealed ball joints allow for bending and controlled suspension movement based on steering input and road conditions. This means that any wearable items (such as bushings and ball joints) may wear out over time like similar aftermarket UCAs. The good news is that the Bilstein upper control arm can be completely repaired with zerk accessories and will last the life of the vehicle with proper care and maintenance. 

The design goes one step further, integrating outer metal casing and inner metal casing. All of these improve overall durability, reduce deflection and restraint, and provide a smooth and quiet ride experience.

Technological advancements, proprietary innovations and many patents obtained in the course of 140 years of operation are the foundation of Bilstein's success. Bilstein was founded in 1873, has been a family business since 1988, and was absorbed as a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp in 2005. In addition to making a history in motorsports for more than 50 years, Bilstein has become a reputable source of high-performance suspension components for OEM car manufacturers. Bilstein has provided original equipment products and services for more than 60 years and is now recognized as a trusted leading manufacturer in the global automotive industry. 

As an avid off-road enthusiast, he uses 4×4 vehicles as his daily driver every day, and life is sometimes a bit interesting. All I want is a high-quality suspension kit that provides a higher ride height, more travel, and more durability. Equally important, I long for something quiet enough not to stare at me awkwardly every time the circus drives into town. It seems that Bilstein has achieved a good balance between performance and comfort with their new upper control arm.

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