anyone know why the 09's lower arm on the front suspension isnt aluminum anymore? i wonder why they changed that from 08 to 09...

 

No answers but guesses: 1) aluminum cost too much vis a vis steel, 2) aluminum can crack, depending on cast and 3) part supplier relationship issue. Just my guess, nothing else.

 

Stronger.

 

Save $$$.

 

Does it really matter?

I'm sure our friends at Ford did their homework on this and found they could save money (savings not passed on to us), reduce unsprung weight, improve manufacturing process control (stamping vs casting) (oh wait, that's just a cost savings), etc all while achieving the end use performance we need.

Anyone notice any negatives to this change?

 

Truck Trend or some other similar publication I read made mention the change was made to make them stronger.

 

Probably strength... the one on my 05 cracked completely when I was hit head on. Probably not a good thing.

 

The switch to steel has more to do with ease of production. To make the aluminum piece you have to melt the aluminum, pour it into a mold, clean it up and then it's ready to install. To make the steel piece you just stamp it, weld a gusset in the bottom and it's done.

 

The problem with the steel is that it is completely rusted. The aluminum was plenty strong and much easier on the eyes. They built such a nice solid new truck for 09 in most regards, however, this is one area they seemed to skimp. They could have at least painted it to stop the rusting.

 

There are a variety of articles mentioning the lower control arm and the reason why Ford replaced the aluminum with steel. The aluminum lower control arm has been a known weak point in the front suspension. You guys make me chuckle with your speculation in face of the facts.

Ford went through great efforts to save weight on the current design including an expensive to produce aluminum hood. It makes no sense that a slightly heavier but stronger steel lower control arm was chosen because of cost.

 

are y'all forgetting that the 97-03 F-150 had steel lower control arms as well? the aluminum ones on the 04-08 were nothing to brag about, imo.

my 03's LCA's are lightly oxidized with surface rust, however, they are by no means rusted out.

 

They had alumnum hoods back in 97 already.