The stock steering knuckles on 2005 to 2007 Cobalts were prone to damage during heavy side loads, like are experienced during competitive driving. GM performance division released competition steering knuckles to allow Cobalt owners to run grippy race tires without causing damage. I went off the track yesterday, and I was glad to have the competition steering knuckles. So, you don't need to have race tires to benefit from the added security of the competition steering knuckles.

Here is a video I made to show what happened:
Why Competition Steering Knuckles - YouTube

 

Tried to coast the slolom. GAS GAS GAS lol your instructor wasn't a fwd guy

 

Good info! Does anyone if lsj and LNF knuckles the same?

 

link to these knuckles?

 

go on CED

 

Very much no. One of the best mods I've done is swap to the LNF knucks. They have a 14.8:1 steering ratio, every other balt including the SC is 16.5:1. Much faster. Roll center height is also raised with the LNFs which helps turn in

 

they bolt right up?

 

are these the same as the G6 knuckles?

 

Ok, here is the data on the different knuckles:

LSJ stock- LSJ smaller bearing and bolt pattern
GMR Competition- G6 casting but LSJ smaller bearing and bolt pattern
G6- G6/LNF larger bearing and bolt pattern
LNF G6/LNF larger bearing and bolt pattern- quicker steering

LNF bearings do not fit LSJ pattern knuckles
LSJ bearings do not fit LNF pattern knuckles

G6/LNF Hubs use different ABS systems than LSJ

If you want to keep ABS, the competition knuckle is your best bet on an LSJ.

IF you have a LNF, there is NO reason to upgrade your knuckles.

 

the steering arms get shorter. the G6 knuckle wont work for LSJ unless you upgrade wheel bearings. The LNF wont work for the LSJ unless you modify the knuckle and use upgraded different wheel bearings. The |LNF wheel bearings wont provide the correct abs signal for LSJ.

The stock LSJ knuckles only broke once in testing, it was at Milford Proving grounds. The over reaction for racing was a result of GM engineering and us the contractor, wanting to produce Cobalt race cars that would be 100% reliable; the first 3 Cobalts built by us at Powell for Grand am racing were on track in Florida January 2005, before the first 2005 production cobalt rolled off the assembly line for sale to the public.

I have never seen a stock lsj knuckle break in auto x or dd or racing unless the car hit a ditch or curb or something.

 

no yes no.

 

lsj bearings do fit in g6 knuckles.

 

Ty! That's what I hoped to hear.

 

yours were gmpp machined is why/u bored and trolling or what?

 

yepo. surfin da webs poking the n00bs

 

so can i upgrade from my g5 gt knuckles to g6 knuckles?

 

I LOL'd at the sight of GM's Milford Proving Grounds getting censored. I live in the next town over from Milford.

Why, yes, I AM easily amused...

 

Is the slight off in the video really why you are saying competition knuckles are needed? I wasted 3 minutes of my life waiting for that.

 

Here is your 3 minutes of your life back. ...use it wisely

You might not think it was so minor if you had felt what it was like in the car, or if it happend to your car.

 

I would've laughed and driven back to the pits.

 

I did. But I have the competition steering knuckles. It is impossible to say what would have happened, so I MAY have been able to drive back on the stock knuckles too. Who knows?