aluminum VS. stamped steel control arms

[01exp4x4]

When the 03' came out it had aluminum control arms.

Later they switch to stamped steel...

Why?
To save money?

Seems like the Aluminum might be better, and cost more to make...

ANYONE? ...opinions?

I might polish my rear arms. LOL seriously...
Just cause I could.

 

[tonydiv]

They are much more expensive to produce. The reduced weight and higher torsional rigidity makes them perform much better, why do you think that the Raptor has great big aluminum a-arms?

 

[mindgame]

I might polish my rear arms. LOL seriously...
Just cause I could.

I did

 

[01exp4x4]

I did

Post a picture of the polished arms if you can.
I like your expy.

What island you on?
I'm from the Big Island...

They are much more expensive to produce. The reduced weight and higher torsional rigidity makes them perform much better, why do you think that the Raptor has great big aluminum a-arms?

I checked out pictures of the raptors arms. Aluminum like you say.
They look like expedition arms, sort of...

Are other f150 arms stamped steel?

Like your expy as well, the front bumper change and lift sure make it look nice.
I had a 97' and always hated the stock pointy bumper...

 

[FordandPolaris]

Pretty sure my dad's 04 had aluminum control arms. One problem we ran into is that we could not get the lower ball joints to press out no matter what we tried. We figured it was due to the same reason aluminum alloy wheels tend to seize to the wheel studs.

 

[01exp4x4]

Pretty sure my dad's 04 had aluminum control arms. One problem we ran into is that we could not get the lower ball joints to press out no matter what we tried. We figured it was due to the same reason aluminum alloy wheels tend to seize to the wheel studs.

You mean due to the salt that's put on the roads?

 

[tonydiv]

Any time you have two dissimilar metals in contact with each other, there will be some degree of galvanic corrosion. (It's actually the principle that makes batteries work.)

The parts can end up 'welding' themselves together. (and yes, salt helps that process along) So that's why you always use an anti-seize compound when you put steel (or stainless) fasteners in to an aluminum part.

 

[01exp4x4]

Any time you have two dissimilar metals in contact with each other, there will be some degree of galvanic corrosion. (It's actually the principle that makes batteries work.)

The parts can end up 'welding' themselves together. (and yes, salt helps that process along) So that's why you always use an anti-seize compound when you put steel (or stainless) fasteners in to an aluminum part.

Electrolysis...
I currently use Marine Grade anti seize with no metal from Loc Tite...
Used to use graphite, much messier than the Marine Grade stuff.

Too bad Ford doesn't use it on their parts.

I don't assemble anything without it anymore.

Sort of learned my lesson. Stuff just tightens up smoother with it.

Lug nuts? ...ALWAYS USE IT!!!

 

[MoHawk]

Post a picture of the polished arms if you can.
I like your expy.

What island you on?
I'm from the Big Island...



.

Hey me too. Where at? I grew up in Hawaiian Paradise Park in Keaa'u, Hilo Side

 

[01exp4x4]

Hey me too. Where at? I grew up in Hawaiian Paradise Park in Keaa'u, Hilo Side

I used to stay in Paradise Paradise on 3rd at Makuu.
Wow, small world

Do you know Kenny Pantalion or Tommy boy?

I was in on the junk yard at the old Keaau Sugar Mill site on rail road about 10 years ago...
I helped dismantle the old mill for scrap.
Also hauled alot of the cars there from all over the island.

Kind of miss the park...
Nude beach...
the volcano...

 

[MoHawk]

I was on Beach Rd. between Paradise and Kaloli. And I went to High School at the private school next to the scrap yard you mentioned.

Neither of those names sound familiar, but I am horrible with names.

 

[01exp4x4]

Bump

Electrolysis...
I currently use Marine Grade anti seize with no metal from Loc Tite...
Used to use graphite, much messier than the Marine Grade stuff.

Too bad Ford doesn't use it on their parts.

I don't assemble anything without it anymore.

Sort of learned my lesson. Stuff just tightens up smoother with it.

Lug nuts? ...ALWAYS USE IT!!!

 

[tonydiv]

To put anti-seize on some of those vulnerable parts would add like $0.06 to the price of the vehicle. Some bean counter probably decided it wasn't necessary.

 

[01exp4x4]

expedition sales are way down.
Since 2007 they have only sold 30,000 units a year.
Before that... 200,000 per year

FORD's watching every penny for sure.
There won't be any Navigators any more, and the face lift will be running the same basic parts for 2015.

Which keeps 03' and up looking about the same.

Which I like. I want a car thats not too dated.

 

[mindgame]

Post a picture of the polished arms if you can.
I like your expy.

What island you on?
I'm from the Big Island...

Tried... Was gonna polish it a bit more and take a pic, but the past few days its been a tad wet here.. So laying on the ground was out of the question.. I'll post closer pics once I get a chance

Been a lifer here in Honolulu

 

[mindgame]

Hey me too. Where at? I grew up in Hawaiian Paradise Park in Keaa'u, Hilo Side

You guys know anyone from Honokaa side? I have a close friend from there

 

[01exp4x4]

You guys know anyone from Honokaa side? I have a close friend from there

I used to drive through it alot...
But don't know anyone there.

Its been 10 years since I left.

Tall trees there, windy too.

 

[sgtowing]

I did

Post a picture of the polished arms if you can.
...

Yeah, like 01exp4x4 said. PICS or I might have to use my Super Mod powers on you.

 

[mindgame]

Yeah, like 01exp4x4 said. PICS or I might have to use my Super Mod powers on you.

LOL... K.. I cleaned up one of 4 lower controller arms to take this pic..
albeit.. half-a$$.. But you get the pic

 

[01exp4x4]

LOL... K.. I cleaned up one of 4 lower controller arms to take this pic..
albeit.. half-a$$.. But you get the pic

That's pretty cool.

I am guessing that you polished it on the truck.

Or you would have polished the whole thing...

Thats what I am contemplating.

Do like you did or pull them off and do the whole piece.

Obviously, taking it off would be the cooler way to go, but I am not sure I have it in me to do that right now.

I have access to some big buffing machines that would make the job faster...

Then I would have to polish my exhaust pipe too...

And then, where do you stop?