Front suspension overhaul

[Mickey_7106]

Need a front lower ball joint but at 126k im thinking i might as well replace all upper and lower control arms in the front this year starting with the left side since i cant get it aligned until i replace a ball joint. Anything else i should be replacing? Should i replace cam and bolts too? Swaybar bushings look good. ive already did both hubs in the last 25k miles but ill check them again.

if it helps anyone else, these are the part number i got from ACdelcos site when i punch in my trucks Vin

Control Arms
Front left lower:
Part# 45D2471 - ACDelco
Part# 19313224 - GM

Front left upper: (there were other options but i choose this one)
Part# 45D3592 - ACDelco
Part# 19255769 - GM

Front right lower:
Part# 45D2472 - ACDelco
Part# 19313221 - GM

Front right upper: (there were other options but i choose this one)
Part# 45D3593 - ACDelco
Part# 19255770 - GM

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Mickey_7106 While you are in there I would go ahead and replace everything so that you don't have to open the front back up again. Inner and Outter tie rods, sway bar bushings and end links, and CV axles if you have 4wd. Thats my recommendation anyways.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

How are the front shocks themselves? If original, I would replace them, as well, since you will have half the strut disconnected, anyway.

 

[swathdiver]

Need a front lower ball joint but at 126k im thinking i might as well replace all upper and lower control arms in the front this year starting with the left side since i cant get it aligned until i replace a ball joint. Anything else i should be replacing? Should i replace cam and bolts too? Swaybar bushings look good. ive already did both hubs in the last 25k miles but ill check them again.

if it helps anyone else, these are the part number i got from ACdelcos site when i punch in my trucks Vin

Control Arms
Front left lower:
Part# 45D2471 - ACDelco
Part# 19313224 - GM

Front left upper: (there were other options but i choose this one)
Part# 45D3592 - ACDelco
Part# 19255769 - GM

Front right lower:
Part# 45D2472 - ACDelco
Part# 19313221 - GM

Front right upper: (there were other options but i choose this one)
Part# 45D3593 - ACDelco
Part# 19255770 - GM

Note, those are ACDelco Professional or Gold and not Original Equipment part numbers. Moog CK Series are also the exact same parts as those listed above.

GM OE are:



Your mileage isn't high but she's about thirteen years old now. How are the springs and shocks and struts? Just did all this last year on our '09.

 

[Mickey_7106]

@Mickey_7106 While you are in there I would go ahead and replace everything so that you don't have to open the front back up again. Inner and Outter tie rods, sway bar bushings and end links, and CV axles if you have 4wd. Thats my recommendation anyways.

Thanks, forgot about the tie rods. ive tried searching for bigger rods with no luck before. Think i'll have to throw on some sleeves

 

[Mickey_7106]

How are the front shocks themselves? If original, I would replace them, as well, since you will have half the strut disconnected, anyway.

Shocks look good. no sign of any leaking.

 

[Mickey_7106]

Note, those are ACDelco Professional or Gold and not Original Equipment part numbers. Moog CK Series are also the exact same parts as those listed above.

GM OE are:

View attachment 360857

Your mileage isn't high but she's about thirteen years old now. How are the springs and shocks and struts? Just did all this last year on our '09.

Yeah same part but the Acdelcos are about $80 on RockAuto and CarID. Moog is $125+ anywhere i look.

 

[swathdiver]

Yeah same part but the Acdelcos are about $80 on RockAuto and CarID. Moog is $125+ anywhere i look.

That's why I mention both so folks can find the best deals. You'll find those OE ones are twice the ACDelco, we get what we pay for!

My shocks weren't leaking but they were shot, back end sagged hauling a lightly loaded trailer, ride was getting more harsh over bumps. Now with new shocks, springs, bushings and Michelin Defenders, it almost feels like an old Cadillac going down the road, floating on clouds!

 

[Mickey_7106]

That's why I mention both so folks can find the best deals. You'll find those OE ones are twice the ACDelco, we get what we pay for!

Got me second guessing now. i though AC Delco Pro and moog CK were a better part than OE? Also, thought i read that AC delco pro and moog ck were the same part just rebranded?

 

[swathdiver]

Got me second guessing now. i though AC Delco Pro and moog CK were a better part than OE? Also, thought i read that AC delco pro and moog ck were the same part just rebranded?

GM OE is the highest rating. Oftentimes, ACDelco Gold/Professional is the same as GM OE, other times they are not and even have separate GM part numbers like those control arms in the previous posts by you and me. When Chris bought some control arms a couple of years back, he discovered that they were ACDelco and Moog CK series, I forget which was ordered. @iamdub

The GM OE control arms are about twice as much, I reckon it's because the ball joints and maybe the bushings are of higher quality.