2021 Sierra - 3.5” RC Lift & Lower Ball Joint Failure

[2021 Sierra X31]

Hey everyone, haven’t posted in a while. I thought I would provide my experience so far with the 3.5” Rough Country lift I had installed on my 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The lift was installed with about 40,000 miles on the truck. By 50,000 miles, my drivers side CV axle blew the boot. Dealer wouldn’t cover it under warranty. $650. Had it replaced and 2,000 miles later, boot blew again. This time they replaced it free of charge since it happened so quickly. Fast forward another 10,000 miles, I now have a little over 61,000 miles on the truck. I started hearing a very loud creaking/screeching noise on front drivers side when turning the wheels or hitting bumps. Took it back to the 4 wheel drive shop. They told me the lower ball joint is causing the noise and that it has to be replaced. They ordered an entire new LCA, which has a new ball joint installed in it already. $400. Getting them to install the LCA this Friday and fingers crossed it fixes the noise. I also have a clunk in steering when making slow speed turns. I suspect that lower ball joint has play in it. Just figured I would share. I know putting more than 2” of lift on these trucks and we are asking for lots of suspension issues. Unless you go with a full on 4” lift and spend $3k to get all the angles correct, you’re going to have problems.