Lower control arms forged or welded?

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.

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

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

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

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.