Lower Control Arm/Ball Joint Ques

[Roscopcoletrain]

Had truck in to dealer yesterday for oil change. Had them do a multipoint inspection. Looks like I need both lower ball joints replaced. Looking up parts on RockAuto seems very overwhelming lol. Alum vs iron control arms. Any way to tell without climbing under? Also read its better to just swap the whole lower vs just the balljoint. Truth? 

 

Snapped a photo of my lower

 

 

 

[Roscopcoletrain]

edit....I climbed under with a magnet, steel it is 

[silveradosid]

looks like alum read this posting 

 

[kickass audio]

You definitely have steel as you discovered. The aluminium ones won't get that brown color from oxidation. Aluminum turns white and crusty when oxidized. I also am pretty sure the aluminium ones are a lot thinner than the steel ones.

 

The biggest thing to look at is the color. That's a dead giveaway between the two.

[Mikebtte]

Steel for sure, Just have them press in new ball joints. Easy enough. As you said, whole control arm may be less as the shop labor rate and time may cover the difference in price. 

[FlipZ71]

Factory lower control arms are $151. Each 

 

Greasable mog ball joints are around $55. Ea