petethepug
Michael
It's front-end refresh time. I'm fast approaching 180K miles on our 09 Esky ESV. It has the original everything on the suspension. The front sway bar bushings have been replaced with poly recently because they were ready to disintegrate. While looking around at parts I saw that aluminum upper and lower control arms were an option for 07-14 / NNBS full size SUV. No info really nailed down who, what, why, when and where aluminum was used except little snippets on the interwebs.
@iamdumb did nail it here ...
In 09 GM offered the XFE package for 2WD Tahoe that included bits and pieces of aluminum suspension and a spare tire rim. The Hybrid, PPV & SSV also got a bunch of aluminum parts as well as odd ball trims. I'm interested in using both upper and lower control arms made of aluminum because the Esky has boat anchor 22" rims. GM boasts that using all that aluminum on the XFE gives it a 1 MPG increase and takes 32lbs off each side of the front end. I figure that by the time I get the Brembo BBK installed each front corner will have at least 40lbs shaved off.
IN REGARD TO NNBS TRUCKS ...
So, on to the differences in forged & stamped steel as well as aluminum NNBS control arms that have been buried for so long.
* 2016-2017 stamped steel control arms have been recalled by GM for inadequate welds near the control arm bushing that may allow it to separate. Just ditch them.
* The forged steel upper and lower control arms for our 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* The aluminum upper and lower control arms from select 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* Both the forged steel and aluminum hubs from select 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* In 1500 Pickup Trucks 07-13 were always cast steel, 14-16 had all three and 17-18 were always aluminum.
* Aluminum lower control arms can be run on any 07-14 NNBS Tahoe / Yuke / Burb / Esky.
* Only the aluminum upper control arms have a specific ball joint. The stamped steel and aluminum ball joints are not cross compatible.
* Aluminum upper control arms must have aluminum hubs to accommodate the difference in taper of the aluminum specific ball joint.
* The lower aluminum control arms are cast aluminum. The upper aluminum control arms are forged.
* Products in the control arms contain chemicals known to the State of CA to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
* The thread and pitch on all ball joint studs for both aluminum and steel are identical.
As the parts are ordered and arrive, I'll post up the source and pricing. I'm in the parts procurement phase and the work will be carried out by my trusted diesel Indi tech. The Esky is my daily and I'm over stressing out about getting a job done so I can drive the vehicle the next day.
Anyone know if the aluminum control arms have any torque to yield bolts that may be specific to them?
@iamdumb did nail it here ...
In 09 GM offered the XFE package for 2WD Tahoe that included bits and pieces of aluminum suspension and a spare tire rim. The Hybrid, PPV & SSV also got a bunch of aluminum parts as well as odd ball trims. I'm interested in using both upper and lower control arms made of aluminum because the Esky has boat anchor 22" rims. GM boasts that using all that aluminum on the XFE gives it a 1 MPG increase and takes 32lbs off each side of the front end. I figure that by the time I get the Brembo BBK installed each front corner will have at least 40lbs shaved off.
IN REGARD TO NNBS TRUCKS ...
So, on to the differences in forged & stamped steel as well as aluminum NNBS control arms that have been buried for so long.
* 2016-2017 stamped steel control arms have been recalled by GM for inadequate welds near the control arm bushing that may allow it to separate. Just ditch them.
* The forged steel upper and lower control arms for our 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* The aluminum upper and lower control arms from select 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* Both the forged steel and aluminum hubs from select 07-14 NNBS SUV are also used on the next Gen 15-20.
* In 1500 Pickup Trucks 07-13 were always cast steel, 14-16 had all three and 17-18 were always aluminum.
* Aluminum lower control arms can be run on any 07-14 NNBS Tahoe / Yuke / Burb / Esky.
* Only the aluminum upper control arms have a specific ball joint. The stamped steel and aluminum ball joints are not cross compatible.
* Aluminum upper control arms must have aluminum hubs to accommodate the difference in taper of the aluminum specific ball joint.
* The lower aluminum control arms are cast aluminum. The upper aluminum control arms are forged.
* Products in the control arms contain chemicals known to the State of CA to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
* The thread and pitch on all ball joint studs for both aluminum and steel are identical.
As the parts are ordered and arrive, I'll post up the source and pricing. I'm in the parts procurement phase and the work will be carried out by my trusted diesel Indi tech. The Esky is my daily and I'm over stressing out about getting a job done so I can drive the vehicle the next day.
Anyone know if the aluminum control arms have any torque to yield bolts that may be specific to them?
