Lower control arms forged or welded?

[TurboDiverArt]

Hi All,

Went to buy lower ball joints for the truck today. Went to Napa and they asked me if my lower control arms were welded or forged? I didn’t know so I checked somewhere else thinking it was a strange question to ask. I went to PepBoys and their computer asked the same thing.

My truck is a 1999 Chevy Suburban K2500 with torsion bar front end.

If I had to guess I would say with torsion bars the lower control arms are probably forged.

Anyone know for sure or how to tell?

Thanks,
Art.

[DmaxMaverick]

Look at them. If they are bent metal with welds (hollow), they are welded. If they look like cast iron (solid), they are forged.

[More Power]

I think the break point is 1996. 1995 and earlier use the stamped steel & welded lower control arms, and 1996 and newer got the forged.

Jim

[diesel65]

Jim,
I think it was later, my 97 has welded control arms.

[TurboDiverArt]

I just checked mine and they are forged. My truck was built in the middle of 1998 for the 1999 model year.

Thanks for all the help!
Art.