Lower Control Arms

Glisella said:

So I'm in the homestretch of replacing all front suspension items. I've already down strut assemblies, UCA, wheel/hub bearings, sway bar bushings and end links. Next will be LCA and tie rod ends.

On Rock Auto I see lower arm options that say for police and then others that just say front left lower or front right lower.

Does anyone know the difference in the Police ones? Moog has ones listed as Police but unsure what difference is. Or does anyone have a reco on which to use? 08 Yukon XL Denali (air ride deleted)

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kbuskill said:

The only difference I am aware of is Steel OR Aluminum.

The PPVs run aluminum LCAs if I'm not mistaken.

Also all of the 4x4 trucks run aluminum LCAs for weight reduction.

The LCAs are interchangeable from steel to aluminum and vice versa IF you are changing the whole LCA assembly (including ball joints).

The ball joints between the steel and aluminum are different however.

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Glisella said:

So if I were to buy the entire assembly which has the ball joints already, it wouldn't matter if I go steel/cast or aluminum then...and I could get the Moogs which say police, which I'd rather do because of their reputation.

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kbuskill said:

Correct.

The only difference between the ball joints is where they press into the control arm. The aluminum control arms are thicker than the steel control arms so the splined area of the ball joint has to be taller to reach all the way through the aluminum control arm.

The size and shape of the cone shaped area of the ball joint where it goes into the spindle is the same on both.

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Glisella said:

Very helpful. Thank you. Once I purchase and do the install I'll post before/after and what I chose.

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swathdiver said:

Finished yet???

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Glisella said:

So it only took two months but I did this today, finally some nice weather aligned with some down time.

I went with the AC Delco "Police" lower arms and AC Delco inner/outer tie rods. Overall not too much work, although I cut a boot removing it so had to replace that too. Took about 6 hours to do both sides, wasn't rushing at all.


Pic is of driver lower ball joint, my hands were covered in grease and grime so didn't want to take my phone out, passenger side wasn't as bad. Tie rod ends were ok...but now they're brand new which is better.


View attachment 241013

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HiHoeSilver said:

Just for clarity, since you did "police"...
Iron coming out, aluminum going in?

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