Rear lower control arm question.

[Diacom]

I am replacing the drivers rear lower control arm that was bent during DTC this year. My replacement piece(s) are the ones that came with my 8.6" diff when I swapped it in.

My question is, length appears to be the exact same, however, they are different part numbers. Even off the same axle for left and right. Does this matter?

When I look at the PDF for parts I see:

Chevrolet ,GMC
TrailBlazer, Envoy
4.2L Eng. R/L 15069840
5.3L, 6.0L Eng. R/L 15098154
TrailBlazer EXT ,Envoy XL, Envoy XUV R/L 15098154

I have the 4.2L.

I micced the diamater and that's the same, so is there anything I should be concerned about?

Thanks

[The Roadie]

I never researched any difference. I installed my 8.6 using the old control arms. If you measured it, then I can't imagine any other difference unless it's wall thickness. Can you compare their weights?

[chevycrew]

Length, weight, diameter, mounting width. If those are all the same, then its the same part, just different number.

[fishsticks]

I installed my 8.6 with the control arms off the 8.6. I did all the same measurements as you. They are functionally the same.

[navigator]

Noel, take your bent one and compare to the one from the 8.6 and let us know if the 8.6 one is beefier/heavier. It might be an upgrade.

[Diacom]

Side by side comparison shows no differences in length, diameter or in any other way. May just be one of GM's ways of getting more money from folks being able to charge a different price for a different part number when either will work.

The only thing I didn't do was actually weight them as suggested by Roadie. I'm going to guess the bent one is just a few ounces lighter due to the missing material that was scrapped off by the rocks however.

Thanks for the info guys.

[v7guy]

I would wager it might have more to do with the durometer of the bushings. If the major dimensions are the same and the guage of the metal is the same then that's the only other variable. It would make sense considering the added mass would flex the bushing more.