Lower ball joints different sizes???

[chevyrider838]

While installing the new lower ball joints on my 99' K1500 with 6" RC lift, my mechanic informed me that the passenger/driver sides are different. Meaning, the passenger side will accept the larger Moog K6509 but the driver side will only accept the smaller Moog K6477. How can this be so and has anyone else seen a situation like this? Thanks

 

[Caman96]

The K6509 is for a forged LCA. The K6477 is for a stamped LCA. Someone must’ve swapped one. You’d think! Hard to believe it came that way, but I’ve “heard” crazy stuff going on when transitioning to the GMT800. Who knows, that is strange though.

 

[chevyrider838]

The K6509 is for a forged LCA. The K6477 is for a stamped LCA. Someone must’ve swapped one. You’d think! Hard to believe it came that way, but I’ve “heard” crazy stuff going on when transitioning to the GMT800. Who knows, that is strange though.

Yes it is strange...thanks for your response! The truck had been in an accident before I purchased it so one side could have well been swapped out. Should I replace the forged with a stamped, replace the stamped with a forged, or leave as is in your opinion?

 

[Caman96]

Personally, I’d prefer both forged. But they are more elusive. See what others feel about this as I’ve never even considered this before.

 

[chevyrider838]

Personally, I’d prefer both forged. But they are more elusive. See what others feel about this as I’ve never even considered this before.

Ok will do, hopefully someone else will chime in on this. Thanks again!

 

[offroadtahoe]

There are three types of lower control arms for the gmt400 4x4,2 are stamped steel and are either (rivet or press in) the press in style is still stamped but uses a welded forged end,and uses a 46.13mm ball joint.the forged control arms are press in as well and are a upgrade and use a little bigger 47.89mm ball joint.

 

[Caman96]

There are three types of lower control arms for the gmt400 4x4,2 are stamped steel and are either (rivet or press in) the press in style is still stamped but uses a welded forged end,and uses a 46.13mm ball joint.the forged control arms are press in as well and are a upgrade and use a little bigger 47.89mm ball joint.

If what his mechanic is saying, he needs one of each that he listed, he has one forged and one stamped. Being a 99, it would be a press in stamped LCA.

 

[offroadtahoe]

im not sure on mismatching stamped steel versions,but on stamped steel to,forged control arm mistmatch. the geometry is slight different it did feel a little funny until i finished the other side. picture is of forged lca and (stamped steel forged end)

 

[454cid]

Forged is 8-lug hardware, which will also fit the light duty 6-lug trucks. If the OP's truck has a forged arm someone swapped it in.

 

[Caman96]

Forged is 8-lug hardware, which will also fit the light duty 6-lug trucks. If the OP's truck has a forged arm someone swapped it in.

That’s what I think too. He’s now wondering if he should replace one of them. According to offroadtahoe you need to.