I have an 09 Turbo SS without a limited slip differential. In order to install one would I have to install a new transaxle?Now before you guys tell me that it was only five hundred dollar option from the factory,and it's gonna cost a boatload of money to install and I should trade the car in and get a car with the LSD let me just say I know.But the car was a gift and I have somewhat of a sentimental attachment to it so I'm kinda stuck with it.Any help is appreciated.Thanks.

 

I'm not as familiar with FWD axles as I am with RWD, but I can't see why you would need new transaxles.. You're only changing the differential carrier, the existing axles should still work the same as long as the spline count is the same..

 

Thank alot man.

 

I would personally trade transmissions. Buy a new one with the LSD and install it. I think it would be cheaper than buying the LSD separately.

 

Could get the SS/SC tranny with and LSD. Apparently it has a short final drive or something.

 

another option!

 

This might help you a little bit too
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...p+differential

 

if you lived closer my dad could swap out diffs for u. usually charges 500$ labor +parts

 

I personally wouldn't do this myself unless you are going to be taking it to the track with slicks. In that case be prepared to fix it.
The reason I say I wouldn't tho is mainly because getting traction (at least with a tuned SS/TC) is already a real bitch sometimes. A shorter final is just going to make it a nightmare!

 

I believe this is the proceedure to disassemble down to the Differental . Looks like alot of work ....and alot of special tools that NOT all dealers would have .

Service Information
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt | Cobalt, G5 (VIN A) Service Manual | Transmission | Manual Transmission - MU3 | Repair Instructions - Off Vehicle | Document ID: 2144178
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Transmission Disassemble
Special Tools
• 87 90 867 Input Shaft Bearing Ring

• 87 91 188 Screw Press Support

• 87 91 204 Output Shaft Bearing Race Sleeve

• 87 91 261 Output Shaft Remover

• 87 91 287 Puller

• 87 91 295 Puller Arms, 300 mm

• 87 91 303 Puller Arms, 150 mm

• 87 91 410 Output Shaft Protector

• 87 91 972 Assembly Ring

• 87 92 103 Output Shaft Assembly Tool

• 87 92 129 Lifting Eye

• 87 92 202 Output Shaft Bearing Race Sleeve

• J 25031-A Three Jaw Puller

• J 43483 Impact Driver

• J 43707 Transaxle Support Fixture

• J 43964 Engine Stand Fixture Adapter

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.





Note: In all work involving disassembly of the transaxle, a new output shaft nut and crush sleeve must be installed during reassembly.

•Remove the backup lamp switch to prevent the switch from being damaged during disassembly.
•Cover the holes for clutch hydraulics, axles, and the reverse lamp switch, and clean the transaxle if necessary.




•Mount the transaxle on J 43707 support fixture . Mount the transaxle and fixture in the J 43964 fixture adapter .




•Remove the pipe from the slave cylinder.
•Using pliers, pinch together the bottom halves of the pipe sleeve and move the pipe and sleeve upward.




•Pry up the locking tabs on the sleeve and remove the pipe.




•Remove the slave cylinder bolts and slave cylinder.
•Remove the reverse idler gear shaft bolt with an O-ring.




•Remove the transaxle rear cover and discard the gasket. Note the stud locations.




Note: Do not shift gears using the 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, or 5th shift shafts. All shifting should be done using the shift arms.

•Engage the 1st gear to lock the gear box. Refer to the shift arm positions in the illustration.
•Using a punch and hammer, tap out the 5th gear fork retaining pin.




•Engage the 5th gear by pressing the synchronizer sleeve and fork down onto the 5th gear. Two gears must be engaged at the same time to allow removal of output shaft nut.
•Pry up the locking tab on the output shaft nut and remove the nut.




Note: Before removing the 5th gear synchronizer sleeve, mark its position relative to the 5th gear synchronizer hub to assist in assembly.

Note: Make sure the 5th gear shift shaft does not come out of the transaxle when the 5th gear shift fork is removed.

•Remove the 5th gear shift fork and synchronizer sleeve together.




•Remove the 5th gear synchronizer hub snap ring. This will be easier if the hub is tapped down first.
•Use the J 25031-A jaw puller or equivalent to remove the 5th gear synchronizer hub.
•Remove the blocking ring, blocking ring spring, 5th gear, and 5th gear bearing assembly.




•Remove the differential bearing retainer fasteners. The retainer will be removed after case removal.




•Remove the case-to-reverse idler gear shaft bracket bolt. Note the stud locations.
Note: Before removing the transaxle case from the transaxle clutch housing, the case-to-reverse idler gear shaft bracket bolt must be removed or transaxle damage will occur.

•Remove the case-to-clutch housing bolts and tap down 2 case-to-clutch housing alignment sleeves.




•Remove the case from the output shaft.
21.1. Check that 3rd gear is engaged.

21.2. Install the 87 92 129 lifting eye to the case.

21.3. Install the 87 91 410 protector to the output shaft.

21.4. Install the 87 91 287 puller with the 87 91 303 puller arms, 150 mm into the pulling eyes.

21.5. Carefully tighten the puller until the output shaft bearing and 5th driven gear releases from the output shaft.





•Remove tools. Lift off transaxle case.
•Remove differential bearing retainer from transaxle case.
•Inspect the O-ring seal and axle seal for damage. Replace if damaged.
•Remove shims from the top of bearing race.




Note: Do not re-install the bearing race until after the shimming procedure.

•Tap out differential bearing race using 87 92 202 sleeve and 87 91 204 sleeve .




•Remove the reverse gear fork and shaft.




•Remove the reverse shift lever assembly and bolts.




•Disengage the reverse on the shift linkage assembly. Remove the remaining shift linkage bolt and lift the mechanism slightly. Remove the locating sleeves.
•Put the transaxle in 2nd gear and remove the shift linkage assembly by moving it rearward, towards the differential, and angling it out while lifting.




•Install the reverse idler gear shaft bracket bolt finger tight.
•Lift the input shaft far enough to allow removal of the reverse idler gear shaft assembly.
•Remove the reverse idler gear shaft bolt and remove the reverse idler gear shaft.




•Remove the 4th driven gear, crush sleeve, and spacer sleeve from the output shaft.




•Install the 87 92 103 tool around the 1st gear and 1st/2nd gear synchronizer sleeve as shown. This tool holds the 1st and 2nd synchronizer assemblies together. Secure the tool with a plastic tie.




•Install the 87 91 410 protector on the output shaft.
•Install the 87 90 867 ring with the 87 91 295 puller arms, 300 mm under the 1st driven gear of the output shaft.
•Carefully tighten the puller until the remaining output shaft gears are up far enough to allow the removal of the input shaft, approximately 15 mm (0.6 in).
•Remove the input shaft.




Note: Note the up/down orientation of the 3rd driven gear. If the old gear is reinstalled, it must be installed in the same orientation to avoid noise concerns.

•Continue pulling the driven gears on the output shaft until all gears are loose.
•Remove the puller and gears from the output shaft.




Caution: The output shaft bearing retainer bolts were installed using a threadlocker at the factory. A J43483 impact driver or equivalent must be used to remove these bolts or the bolt heads may strip out requiring additional repair time.



•Remove the output shaft bearing retainer bolts using the J 43483 impact driver or equivalent and remove the retainer.




•Remove the output shaft using the 87 91 188 press support , the 87 91 972 assembly ring , and the 87 91 261 remover .




•Remove the differential assembly.

Here is the labor time , looks like a new tranny would be cheaper . Thats if you had a dealer do it.

Service Information
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt | A Car | Transmission | Manual Transmission - MU3 | Labor Time | Document ID: 2104738
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Differential Assembly - R&R Or Replace
OPERATION NUMBER: K3130
LABOR TIME: 8.0
Note: For alignment times, refer to Operation E2000 and add the applicable times to regular labor hours.
To Recondition Differential Final Drive Assembly ADD: 0.4
To Recondition Trans ADD: 2.4

 

Youre looking at probably $200-250 in parts, PLUS the differential, then another lets say 12hours labour to install it.

 

Not sure if that option would work or not.. The transaxles on the LNF are different than that of the LSJ.. I could be wrong but I would do more research on that before considering a straight swap..