Stock control arms: Steel or aluminum?

[TAZ DEVIL]

My 2014, 1500 LT, reg cab, short box, 5.3, 4x4 - aluminum top and bottom.

Never been replaced (yet). Bought truck new in '13

[badfnz]

2016 Z71 SLT 4wd Sierra (mine) - Stamped steel

 

2016 SLT 2wd Sierra (test drove) - Cast steel

Edited July 11, 2016 by badfnz

[Raiderse]

My 2015 SLE All-Terrain were Aluminum. My 2016 SLT All-Terrain are Stamped Steel.

[LOCALOUTLAW]

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-leveling-lift-kit-1307-8.html

[groutguy]

2015 Denali cc short box 6.2l forged steel upper and lower. No vibration or driveline issues.

I wonder if there is a correlation between the drivetrain issues and the type of control arms being used.

It would be nice if people would list if they have issues, and what type of control arms they have. Just in case they're related.

[quise2024]

So this is steel right?

 

 

I have a '15 LT Z71 CCSB

Edited December 8, 2016 by quise2024

[Driver72]

2017 GMC Sierra SLT CC 4x4 OffRoad Pack (Z71), Premium Plus Package, 6.2 - Steel

 

Aluminum may be lighter and stiffer, but betting not stronger even if it's thicker.

From what I've been seeing there is zero rhyme or reason to which gets the aluminum and which gets the steel, which is absurd on GM's part to just randomly throw different metal control arms on different trucks.

 

I'd think Z71 trucks should have steel, as hitting a rock on the control arm while off roading I can imagine the steel ones would fair much better than the aluminum ones.

 

Also read in this thread somewhere that someone was comparing the weight savings of control arms to lighter weight wheels and tires. Not the same. Wheels and tires are unsprung rotational mass directly attached to the drivetrain and turned by the engine.

Control arms are not.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Driver72

[Dnt]

LOL it is a big mystery maybe someone could start a 20 question survey for each truck owner so they could figure it out................................

[pickmeup]

I have been told that aluminum arms have larger ball joints. I do not know for a fact tho.

[disturbedgator]

GMC 2017 ccsb 4x4 z71 5.3 3.42 stamped steel upper and lower.

[DIRTYDALE]

When did they start using stamped steel on the 1500's? I am waiting for a truck but wanted to buy the lift kit ahead of time im 90% sure from reading these posts its steel just not sure if its whether to choose stamped steel or just steel the truck is a 2014 high country 5.3l 4x4 not a z71. seems like the newer trucks 2016/2017 are running stamped steel

[jimmyboy8301]

2017 LTZ Z71 stamped steel, but there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason

 

 

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[Jjcat3]

What's the difference between stock cast steel and stock stamped steel

[JDHale]

 

What's the difference between stock cast steel and stock stamped steel

 

 

Steel Cast Control Arms

Steel control arms are offered on 2007-up models and have a BLACK finish.

A magnet will stick to steel arms.

 

Aluminum Cast Control Arms

Aluminum control arms are offered on 2014-up models and have a GRAY finish.

A magnet will NOT stick to aluminum arms.

 

Stamped Steel Control Arms

Stamped Control Arms are offered on 2016-up models and feature welded seams, a rounded steel construction, and a concave sway bar pocket.

They have a BLACK finish and a magnet will also stick to stamped arms.

 

[2017SierraSLT]

2017 SLT Z71 4X4 DC. All stamped steel arms, with aluminum spindles.