Lower Control arms

[Frankie2670]

I have a 2014 Silverado 1500LTZ Z71 4x4...I need to change the lower ball joints and instead of pressing out the old ones and pressing in the new ones I want to change the lower control arms. My control arms are were both aluminum as well as the knuckle. I put a mild lift kit (3.5" spacer) and also replaced the upper control arm for a rough country lifted control arm which is cast steel. Can I change the lower control arm to cast steel? Only reason would be because of the difference in cost. Aluminum control arms with the ball joint is $250 for both or $150  for 2 steel control arms with ball joints. 

[14 Silvy]

If you have the aluminum knuckle and lower arm the cast steel will not work ball joints are a different size. You can replace them with the stamped steel arms the ball joints are the same size as the aluminum ones.


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[Frankie2670]

So your basically saying to buy the steel without ball joints and just use ball joints that would work and install those?

[Frankie2670]

Ok I get what you're saying now. I got a little confused there for a minute. You're saying to buy the stamped steel LCA because the ball joint is the same as the aluminum ones

[newdude]

31 minutes ago, Frankie2670 said:

Ok I get what you're saying now. I got a little confused there for a minute. You're saying to buy the stamped steel LCA because the ball joint is the same as the aluminum ones 

 

That would be correct.  The stamped steel LCA replaces the aluminum arms from GM.  You can get ball joints for the aluminum arms, but if you want to replace them, they are superseded to the stamped steel.  You will also need new sway bar links for the stamped arms as the existing ones won't work. 

[Frankie2670]

17 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

That would be correct.  The stamped steel LCA replaces the aluminum arms from GM.  You can get ball joints for the aluminum arms, but if you want to replace them, they are superseded to the stamped steel.  You will also need new sway bar links for the stamped arms as the existing ones won't work. 

Ok I'm following you now. Well I just found some aluminum lower control arms for $234 with ball joints and they are what my truck currently has and would be an easy swap for me, and if I buy just ball joints they come out to be $80 for 2 plus $120 to install (because I'd rather not have tu o deal with that myself)

[Canadian GM Guy]

Wait... These trucks came with aluminum lower control arms??? I just checked and mine are steel. What option box did you have to tick to get aluminum control arms?

[Frankie2670]

9 hours ago, Canadian GM Guy said:

Wait... These trucks came with aluminum lower control arms??? I just checked and mine are steel. What option box did you have to tick to get aluminum control arms?

I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 4x4. It came with aluminum lower control arms as well as aluminum upper control arms and aluminum steering knuckle. From what I have read they made a lot of trucks with 3 different styles of upper/lower control arms. Aluminum, cast steel, and stamped steel. My wife has a 2015 Silverado LT 4x4 and it has cast steel arms. I've also read that the sole purpose of aluminum was for weight reduction

[Canadian GM Guy]

I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 4x4. It came with aluminum lower control arms as well as aluminum upper control arms and aluminum steering knuckle. From what I have read they made a lot of trucks with 3 different styles of upper/lower control arms. Aluminum, cast steel, and stamped steel. My wife has a 2015 Silverado LT 4x4 and it has cast steel arms. I've also read that the sole purpose of aluminum was for weight reduction

Damn, I wonder if the aluminum control arms help with ride quality due to less unsprung weight. I guess the only downside would be less durability if something were to hit the lower control arms.

[Frankie2670]

18 hours ago, Canadian GM Guy said:

19 hours ago, Frankie2670 said:

I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 4x4. It came with aluminum lower control arms as well as aluminum upper control arms and aluminum steering knuckle. From what I have read they made a lot of trucks with 3 different styles of upper/lower control arms. Aluminum, cast steel, and stamped steel. My wife has a 2015 Silverado LT 4x4 and it has cast steel arms. I've also read that the sole purpose of aluminum was for weight reduction

Damn, I wonder if the aluminum control arms help with ride quality due to less unsprung weight. I guess the only downside would be less durability if something were to hit the lower control arms.

Well I've done research and I have found out that only aftermarket companies sell the aluminum upper control arms. GM no longer sell these at dealerships. But I put a 3.5" lift on my truck and the ball joint angles were slightly off so I bought a rough country upper control arm and it is way heavier in the cast steel

[Canadian GM Guy]

Well I've done research and I have found out that only aftermarket companies sell the aluminum upper control arms. GM no longer sell these at dealerships. But I put a 3.5" lift on my truck and the ball joint angles were slightly off so I bought a rough country upper control arm and it is way heavier in the cast steel

Interesting, I have the stamped steel ones. I hate the ride quality in my truck, mind you I also have the Ranchos as well, I'll be looking at Bilstein's next year.

[Frankie2670]

23 minutes ago, Canadian GM Guy said:

 

 

Interesting, I have the stamped steel ones. I hate the ride quality in my truck, mind you I also have the Ranchos as well, I'll be looking at Bilstein's next year.

 

I love the Bilsteins. Got rid of the Rancho that came with my truck. Still have them in the rear but will change those soon too