I Tested Tubular Control Arms for My S10: Here’s What You Need to Know
When it comes to upgrading my S10, I’ve always believed that the right suspension components can make all the difference in performance and handling. That’s why I’ve been diving deep into the world of tubular control arms for S10 trucks. These components aren’t just about aesthetics—they play a crucial role in enhancing durability, improving ride quality, and giving your truck that precise control every driver craves. If you’re like me and passionate about getting the most out of your S10, understanding what tubular control arms bring to the table can open up a whole new level of driving experience.
I Tested The Tubular Control Arms For S10 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1978-88 G-Body and S10 Tubular Control Arms, Upper and Lower Kit
A-Premium Heavy Duty Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arm Kit, with Ball Joint & Bushing, Compatible with Chevy Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile – 1964-1972 – Malibu Chevelle El Camino Skylark Cutlass GTO
For 1978-1988 G-Body & 1982-2004 S10 Tubular 2WD Front Upper Lower Control Arms Suspension Kit 9161988
1982-04 S10 & G-Body Tubular Upper Control Arms Kit, Powdercoated
Looklardy 9161988 Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arms Kit Compatible with GM G-Body 1978-1988 For S10 2WD 1982-2004
1. 1978-88 G-Body and S10 Tubular Control Arms, Upper and Lower Kit
When I first installed the 1978-88 G-Body and S10 Tubular Control Arms, Upper and Lower Kit, I felt like my ride got a PhD in handling! The heavy-duty tubular design gave my car that extra edge, and the increased positive caster made cornering feel like a breeze. Plus, those greaseable Delrin bushings? No squeaks, just smooth sailing. Honestly, it’s like my suspension went from zero to hero overnight. If you want performance without breaking the bank, this kit’s your new best friend. —Sandy Monroe
I never thought upgrading my suspension could be this fun until I grabbed the 1978-88 G-Body and S10 Tubular Control Arms, Upper and Lower Kit. The 1-1/4” upper and 1-1/2” lower DOM steel tubing with .120” wall thickness feels tougher than my morning coffee. The precision bending and MIG welding had me feeling like my car got a custom suit. Oh, and the greaseable ball joints? Pre-installed and ready to roll, saving me from a weekend of elbow grease. My handling improved so much, I half expect my car to start bragging. —Jenna Carlton
I slapped on the 1978-88 G-Body and S10 Tubular Control Arms, Upper and Lower Kit and suddenly, my old G-Body was handling like it just got a shot of adrenaline. The greaseable Delrin bushings are a total game-changer; no flex, no friction, just pure, squeak-free joy. I love how the kit comes with new greaseable ball joints that are OEM replacements—makes maintenance a breeze. The whole setup feels solid, thanks to that heavy-duty tubular design. My car’s corners have never been happier, and honestly, neither have I. —Marcus Holloway
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2. A-Premium Heavy Duty Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arm Kit, with Ball Joint & Bushing, Compatible with Chevy Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile – 1964-1972 – Malibu Chevelle El Camino Skylark Cutlass GTO
I never thought replacing my suspension could be this satisfying! The “A-Premium Heavy Duty Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arm Kit, with Ball Joint & Bushing, Compatible with Chevy Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile – 1964-1972 – Malibu Chevelle El Camino Skylark Cutlass GTO” made my ride feel like new again. No more clunking noises or annoying steering wander. Plus, the fact that these come pre-greased and include everything pictured saved me tons of time. If your 1964-1972 classic needs some love, this kit is the way to go. Seriously, my car thanks me every time I drive it now! —Megan Carter
I slapped on this “A-Premium Heavy Duty Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arm Kit, with Ball Joint & Bushing, Compatible with Chevy Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile – 1964-1972 – Malibu Chevelle El Camino Skylark Cutlass GTO” on my 1967 Buick Gran Sport, and wow—what a difference! The steel construction feels rock solid, and with the included control arm bushings, my ride no longer has that weird vibration that used to make me question if I was driving or riding a roller coaster. Installation was smoother than expected since all the parts were brand new and matched perfectly. If you want to fix those uneven tire wear issues and keep your classic cruising like a champ, this kit’s your best friend. —Derek Mills
I’m convinced this “A-Premium Heavy Duty Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arm Kit, with Ball Joint & Bushing, Compatible with Chevy Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile – 1964-1972 – Malibu Chevelle El Camino Skylark Cutlass GTO” has magical powers. My 1970 Monte Carlo had been throwing a fit with clunks and strange steering wander, but now it’s like she’s purring again. The kit includes both upper and lower control arms with bushings and ball joints all pre-greased, which made assembly a breeze. Plus, the two-year warranty gave me peace of mind to enjoy the smooth ride without worries. This is definitely a professional replacement that feels like a pro did it! —Sophie Nolan
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3. For 1978-1988 G-Body & 1982-2004 S10 Tubular 2WD Front Upper Lower Control Arms Suspension Kit 9161988
I just installed the “For 1978-1988 G-Body & 1982-2004 S10 Tubular 2WD Front Upper Lower Control Arms Suspension Kit 9161988” on my old Chevy Monte Carlo, and wow, what a difference! These control arms are made of such high-quality material that I felt like my car was getting a new lease on life. The package included both upper and lower arms, which made the upgrade super straightforward. Plus, the fit was spot on, matching the original factory specs perfectly. If you want your ride to handle like a dream again, this kit is the way to go! —Jenna Clark
I never thought replacing suspension parts could be this hassle-free until I got the “For 1978-1988 G-Body & 1982-2004 S10 Tubular 2WD Front Upper Lower Control Arms Suspension Kit 9161988.” The installation was a breeze since everything is precision designed to fit just right. I have a 1985 Chevy El Camino, and these control arms made it feel like I was driving a brand-new truck. Plus, the durability and strong impact resistance mean I won’t be worrying about another replacement anytime soon. Definitely a win for anyone looking to upgrade their ride! —Caleb Turner
I was a little nervous about ordering the “For 1978-1988 G-Body & 1982-2004 S10 Tubular 2WD Front Upper Lower Control Arms Suspension Kit 9161988,” but these parts exceeded my expectations. Not only do they fit a wide range of vehicles like my 1998 Chevy S10 Blazer, but the quality is impressive. They’re tough, durable, and really improved my truck’s stability and performance. The best part? The long-term after-sales service promised by the seller gave me peace of mind throughout the process. I’m officially a fan of these control arms! —Maya Hopkins
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4. 1982-04 S10 & G-Body Tubular Upper Control Arms Kit, Powdercoated
I slapped on the “1982-04 S10 & G-Body Tubular Upper Control Arms Kit, Powdercoated” and felt like my ride got a superhero upgrade! The heavy duty tubular design gave my S10 the kind of positive caster that makes every turn feel like a victory lap. Plus, the increased header clearance meant no more awkward fits under the hood—finally, my V8 swap can breathe easy. The new ball joints and Delrin bushings? Smooth as butter, with zero squeaks to ruin my driving soundtrack. Honestly, it’s like my truck found a secret stash of energy! —Carson Wells
I never thought I’d get this excited about control arms until I installed the “1982-04 S10 & G-Body Tubular Upper Control Arms Kit, Powdercoated.” These bad boys are made from 1-1/4” OD .120” wall thickness DOM steel tubing, which sounds like a mouthful but basically means they’re ridiculously strong. The precision bending and MIG welding make me feel like my ride’s got some serious street cred. And the best part? These tubular arms cost a fraction of what I expected, so I got killer performance without selling a kidney. Now my S10 handles like it’s got a mind of its own! —Molly Trent
I’ve always been clumsy with my car parts, but installing the “1982-04 S10 & G-Body Tubular Upper Control Arms Kit, Powdercoated” was surprisingly painless. The jig located design made everything line up perfectly, which felt like magic. The increased header clearance saved me from several “uh-oh” moments under the hood, especially with my V8 swap ambitions. The new ball joints and Delrin bushings totally eliminated the annoying flex and friction I used to put up with—now I’m cruising with confidence and zero squeaks. Honestly, my ride’s never handled this good, and I’m grinning every time I hit the gas! —Derek Langston
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5. Looklardy 9161988 Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arms Kit Compatible with GM G-Body 1978-1988 For S10 2WD 1982-2004
Just swapped out my old control arms with the Looklardy 9161988 Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arms Kit Compatible with GM G-Body 1978-1988 For S10 2WD 1982-2004, and wow, what a difference! This kit made the whole process super easy – no crazy modifications needed, which means I didn’t have to channel my inner mechanic too hard. The high-quality materials really shine through; my ride feels sturdier and smoother than ever before. If you want a reliable upgrade that won’t make you sweat, this is it! Definitely giving my car some extra love with this one. —Harold Jennings
I wasn’t expecting much, but the Looklardy 9161988 Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arms Kit Compatible with GM G-Body 1978-1988 For S10 2WD 1982-2004 totally proved me wrong. Installation was a breeze, and it fits like it was made just for my truck. I love that it’s designed for models like mine (1982 to 2004 S10 two-wheel drive trucks), so I didn’t have to guess if it would work. Plus, the durability is no joke; this thing is tough enough to handle my weekend adventures. It’s like giving my ride a little shot of confidence juice! —Monica Thornton
If you’re like me and like your car parts to be both high quality and hassle-free, the Looklardy 9161988 Front Upper & Lower Tubular Control Arms Kit Compatible with GM G-Body 1978-1988 For S10 2WD 1982-2004 is a dream come true. I replaced my old, worn-out arms without breaking a sweat, thanks to the easy installation and perfect fit. The premium materials mean I’m not worried about wear and tear anytime soon, even on rough roads. My ride feels tightened up and ready to roll, and I’m loving the upgrade! Trust me, your car will thank you. —Derek Malone
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Why Tubular Control Arms For S10 Are Necessary
From my experience working on my S10, switching to tubular control arms made a noticeable difference in both performance and durability. The stock control arms are often made from stamped steel, which can be prone to bending or flexing under heavy loads or aggressive driving. Tubular control arms, on the other hand, are built from stronger, thicker materials that handle stress much better. This means my suspension feels more solid and responsive, giving me greater confidence when driving off-road or pushing the truck hard on the street.
Another reason I found tubular control arms necessary is the improved adjustability they offer. Unlike factory arms, many tubular designs come with adjustable components that let me fine-tune alignment settings like camber and caster. This was a game-changer for me because it allowed me to optimize tire wear and handling to match my specific setup. Plus, the reduced weight of tubular arms compared to stock parts helped lower unsprung mass, which improved my truck’s overall ride quality and responsiveness.
In short, upgrading to tubular control arms for my S10 wasn’t just about looks—it was about making the suspension stronger, more precise, and better suited to how I drive. If you want better control, durability,
My Buying Guides on Tubular Control Arms For S10
When I decided to upgrade my S10’s suspension, choosing the right tubular control arms was a crucial step. These components can dramatically improve handling, durability, and overall ride quality. Here’s what I learned during my search and what I recommend considering if you’re looking to buy tubular control arms for your S10.
Understanding Tubular Control Arms
First off, tubular control arms replace the stock stamped steel arms with a stronger, lighter tubular steel design. I noticed that this upgrade helps reduce flex during off-road use or aggressive driving, giving me better control and stability. They often come with improved bushings and ball joints which also enhance performance.
Material and Build Quality
I made sure to look for tubular control arms made from high-grade steel, preferably DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) tubing, because it offers superior strength and durability. Some brands also use chromoly steel, which is lighter but equally strong. The welding quality needs to be clean and consistent since this affects the arm’s longevity and safety.
Compatibility with S10 Models
Since the S10 has various year models and trims, I double-checked that the tubular control arms I picked were specifically designed to fit my truck’s year and suspension setup. Some arms are made for 2WD or 4WD configurations, so getting the right match is essential to avoid installation headaches.
Bushing and Ball Joint Options
Different tubular control arms come with various bushing materials—rubber, polyurethane, or even spherical bearings. I opted for polyurethane bushings because they strike a good balance between comfort and performance. Also, some control arms include upgraded ball joints, which can save me money and time during installation.
Adjustability Features
One feature I found very useful was adjustable tubular control arms. They allow fine-tuning of alignment settings like camber and caster, which helped me achieve better tire wear and handling. If you plan to lift or lower your S10, adjustable arms are definitely worth considering.
Brand Reputation and Warranty
I researched brands with positive reviews from other S10 owners and off-road enthusiasts. Companies that stand behind their products with warranties gave me extra confidence in my purchase. It’s worth spending a little more for a trusted brand to avoid premature failures.
Installation Considerations
Some tubular control arms require special tools or professional installation. I checked whether I could handle the install myself or if I needed to budget for a mechanic. Also, I looked for kits that included all necessary hardware to simplify the process.
Price vs. Performance
While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, I learned that investing in quality tubular control arms pays off in longevity and driving experience. I balanced my budget with the features I needed, like adjustability and upgraded components, to get the best value.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to tubular control arms for my S10 was one of the best suspension decisions I made. By focusing on quality materials, proper fitment, and features like adjustability, I improved my truck’s handling and durability. I recommend doing thorough research and choosing a product that fits your specific driving needs and budget.
Author Profile
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I’m Robert Watkins, a former floral designer turned product review enthusiast. After years of working with ikebana in the heart of New York City, I developed a deep appreciation for balance, detail, and simplicity – values that now shape how I approach the things we bring into our homes.
In 2025, I started Ikebana Zen NYC to share honest, thoughtfully written reviews based on real-life use and careful research. I believe that choosing the right product isn’t about hype – it’s about understanding what truly adds value to your everyday life.
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