When Did You Replace Your Ball Joints and Control Arms?

At what mileage did you replace the ball joints and or control arms on your truck?

  • Before 50K Miles

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Between 50K and 75K Miles

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    23

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swathdiver

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For those replying, if you don't mind, post the age of the vehicle and mileage at the time it was done along with the usual description. This way, folks coming along after us can get a feel for when this repair might be needed. Appreciate your input fellas.
 

mikeyss

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I had roughly 145k on my 09 Tahoe when I replaced all of the suspension components at the same time. I only wanted to tear it apart once. I have an LTZ, so I have aluminum LCA's, the new ones came with lower ball joints. The Uppers came with ball joints too. I replaced all coils, and all of the electronic shocks with factory replacements. Also replaced the air compressor. That was an expensive fix, but I did it myself so I just paid for parts.
 
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swathdiver

swathdiver

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I had roughly 145k on my 09 Tahoe when I replaced all of the suspension components at the same time. I only wanted to tear it apart once. I have an LTZ, so I have aluminum LCA's, the new ones came with lower ball joints. The Uppers came with ball joints too. I replaced all coils, and all of the electronic shocks with factory replacements. Also replaced the air compressor. That was an expensive fix, but I did it myself so I just paid for parts.

Thanks Mike!
 

iamdub

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I just replaced upper and lower control arms which came with bushings and ball joints last weekend. 199,400 miles, have owned since 146,000. I believe they were, but I can't say for certain if the ones I took off were the factory originals. They for sure were the exact same as what would've come from the factory- no ACDelco "Professional" or other alternate versions. Had very slight slack in the bushings and both lower BJs had play that I could feel.

The rear upper and lower control arms will be replaced soon as well.


Control arms I used-

Lower left: 45D2471 (GM #19313224)

Lower right: 45D2472 (GM#19313221)

Upper left: MOOG CK80669

Upper right: MOOG CK80670
 
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swathdiver

swathdiver

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I just replaced upper and lower control arms which came with bushings and ball joints last weekend. 199,400 miles, have owned since 146,000. I believe they were, but I can't say for certain if the ones I took off were the factory originals. They for sure were the exact same as what would've come from the factory- no ACDelco "Professional" or other alternate versions. Had very slight slack in the bushings and both lower BJs had play that I could feel.

The rear upper and lower control arms will be replaced soon as well.

Thanks Chris! Can you edit your post with a link to those parts you bought please? Last year wasn't it?
 

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i'm at 125k on the 2012 xl Denali, had the ball joints & control arms checked by the dealer not that long ago and everything is still good.
 

iamdub

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Thanks Chris! Can you edit your post with a link to those parts you bought please? Last year wasn't it?

Yeah, last year. They sat around for a while! I got the LCAs from a bulk item reseller off of eBay, so no link. You more after the part numbers or...?

The LCAs are part number ACDelco #45D2472 and #45D2471. It's ACDelco "Professional", which basically is MOOG in an ACDelco box. The ACDelco "Advantage" line is the cheap, low-quality aftermarket stuff that I'd advise one to avoid. I got the UCAs from Amazon but I can't access that history at the moment since it's Jenn's account.
 
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swathdiver

swathdiver

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Yeah, last year or early this year. They sat around for a while! I think I got all the arms off of eBay, lemme check my history. You more after the part numbers or...?

Yes, but you also found out they were in ACDelco wrappers but were made by Moog in China; is that right? If so, then there may be no point in paying more for ACDelco if Moog is less and the ball joints are the same. GM OE are more expensive and the ball joints look different.
 

iamdub

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Yes, but you also found out they were in ACDelco wrappers but were made by Moog in China; is that right? If so, then there may be no point in paying more for ACDelco if Moog is less and the ball joints are the same. GM OE are more expensive and the ball joints look different.

Affirmative. There are [at least] two grades of MOOG- the CK and RK series. The RK series is the crappy version, much like the ACDelco Advantage. The CK series is the MOOG "Problem Solver" line and what seems to be in the ACDelco Professional boxes- blue boots and all. The MOOG CK line is possibly not quite as good as the ACDelco OEM, but they're much cheaper while still being good. For the price, I feel the MOOG CK line is a safe compromise. Also, the label on the boxes for my MOOG UCAs say "MADE IN USA".


View attachment 236214
 

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