2007.5-2010 Chevy Duramax LMM Control Arms

The front suspension on the 2007.5-2010 Silverado HD

Up front GM used independent suspension sprung by torsion bars, with an upper and a lower control arm per side. Control arms, ball joints, shocks, sway bar links, torsion keys and cab mounts are the bolt-on component groups for this chassis, and they interact: the torsion bar sets ride height, the arms set camber and caster, and the steering linkage has to work with whatever those two decide. Work Truck, LT and LTZ Silverados share the chassis, so you choose by drivetrain and ride height rather than by trim.

What wears and why

Leveling a GM heavy duty by cranking the torsion keys raises the front-end angles, and the front end wears faster for it: ball joints, tie rods and the idler and pitman arms. What owners report is a clunk over bumps and tire wear showing up sooner than it should. That is the context an upper arm kit gets bought in. Once the truck sits higher, the factory arm is working at an angle it was not drawn for.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

If the truck is at stock height and a joint is shot, a replacement arm puts it back where GM had it. If the truck is leveled or lifted, an aftermarket upper arm kit is the part that addresses the geometry the lift created. Either way, plan on an alignment once the arm is in.

What we carry

BDS Suspension upper control arm kits, cataloged for 2001-2010 6.6L Duramax trucks. That is the whole independent-front-suspension era of the GM heavy duty, the 2007.5-2010 LMM Silverado included.

Fitment notes

The 2011 refresh brought a new frame and new upper and lower control arms, so parts are grouped 2001-2010 and 2011-up and do not cross. Plan on looking at the steering side at the same time, because a lift and larger tires multiply wear in that same linkage. Confirm 2WD or 4WD and your cab and bed with the fitment checker, or hand us the VIN. The rest of the Duramax catalog for this truck is one level up.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need control arms just to level my Silverado?

Not always. Plenty of trucks get leveled on torsion keys alone. But raising the front end raises the angles, and ball joints, tie rods and the idler and pitman arms pay for it over time. Arms go on the list when you are chasing clunks or uneven tire wear after a lift, or when you want the geometry addressed up front.

Will a 2001-2010 arm fit a 2011 Silverado 2500HD?

No. GM changed the control arms along with the frame and the torsion bars for 2011, which is why suspension parts for these trucks are cataloged 2001-2010 and 2011-up separately. Match the kit to the year, and if you are not sure which side of the split your truck falls on, go by the VIN.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.