first off, i tried searching everywhere, and couldnt find anything about these few questions, and please dont bash or flame, im trying to learn, here... im trying to understand how to switch over to 5-lug hubs, and rear disc instead of drum... i know, its too expensive to be worth it, blah.. blah... anyways.. questions:

#1. is the cobalt ss front rotor the same width and height as the cobalt ls front rotor, meaning? (can i use my front calipers on SS rotors?)

ANSWER: Specs speak for themselves:
DESCRIPTION :: DIAMETER (in/mm) :: THICKNESS (in/mm)

LS/LT FRONT ROTOR :: 10.7 / 256 :: 0.94 / 24
SS(SC) FRONT ROTOR :: 11.6 / 296 :: 1.02 / 26
LS/LT/SS(SC) REAR ROTOR :: 10.6 / 270 :: 0.55 / 14

#2. im going to have to get SS hubs or aftermarket hubs from autozone that have the ABS included, if i dont hook these up to anything (car has no ABS), will it present any problems?

ANSWER: No

#3. im pretty sure, from everything i've read, that the front axles have splines that slide into the hub, so does the LS have the same amount of splines as the SS? (can i use my LS axles with the SS hubs?)

ANSWER: ??

#4. with the drum-to-disc conversion, i just plug in the brake line to the caliper, or is it more in depth than that?

ANSWER: ??

thanks, guys, in advance.

 

To change to 5 bolt dont worry about abs you dont have it and wont get it. The wheel bearings dont care if you are not using the wheel speed sensor on a non abs car. Upgrading is not for the faint hearted...why do it? I know you said that...The whole issue of brake balance changing drum to disc is the same answer why do it? Easier to trade the car... LNF is a stout piece worth waiting for...lol... basically the SS LSJ brakes came off the last generation (not the hot new one) Malibu or G6 pontiac...

Even if you go to 5 bolt wheels the 100 bolt circle is a pain to get aftermarket wheels for...so best bet is to buy all the parts and mount them up, and hope the brake balance isnt too badly screwed up as you cant really change that.

good luck sorry if i didnt answer all your questions....i dont know what the base caliper would do with the SS rotor, but lots for you to do...if you want some used bearings calipers and rotors i may have some kicking around you could buy...but my advice dont do it....(did i say that? lol) good luck my friend

 

if by brake balance you are talking about break bias, you mean if i go to rear disc, ill have more rear bias?

thanks for all the info, btw.

 

yes the disc/disc setup uses different way of integrating front rear bias through the abs pump system. I would expect that a disc/drum set up would be different and i dont know how different, but enough that i wouldnt experiment myself, bit i wish you best of luck with your project...

 

i believe the spline count is the same and i say this because both the manual LS and manual SS/NA use the same transmission, therefore the same axles. The ss/na has the five lug disc brakes and the LS does not, so same tranny/axles but different rotors, so im assuming it would work fine for the conversion

 

well.. since i cant use my ls calipers, i have to get all new rotors + calipers, with no ABS

so it'll be just like the ss brake balancing (w/o ABS)

 

I think a member is selling a complete LSJ SS rear twisting beam with brakes and everything for 500 bucks. That would take care of the rear and then you can do the front in pieces....yes its MAVEN this cant miss if you are serious...I have one too but wont sell it so cheap! lol

FS: Complete SS/SC rear axle assembly

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Complete SS/SC FE5 rear axle assembly from 2006 car with 13k miles.

Axle beam w/ integrated(stock) 22mm sway bar

Hubs

Rotors(used but good condition, will be freshly resurfaced)

Pads

Brake calipers

Caliper brackets

Park brake cables

Rear springs and insulators

Rear shocks

Axle bushings

All brake pipes and hoses

Bolt right in your damaged SS/SC, or upgrade your Cobalt or G5 to 4whl disc and FE5 suspension.

The axle beam by itself is over $700 from GMPD.

$600 Local pickup preferred, can discuss shipping, arrange to meet halfway or deliver at Tune Time Dyno Day April 12th
Trade for black cloth Sport/SS or G5 seats(frt&rr)
__________________
2008 Cobalt LS. Plan: Keep it all GM
Mods: GMPP Air Induction Kit, N34 steering wheel, Complete FE5 rear axle not installed...yet., Black mirror caps, Black Sport seats, Sport shift knob & console trim, SS/SC A-pillar trim w/oil press. gauge,LSJ catalytic converter, LNF JL9 front brakes and master cylinder, SS/SC rear brakes, GM factory navigation/touchscreen head unit, 160mph instrument cluster

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Last edited by Maven : 03-13-2008 at 01:03 PM.

 

Yup, you need the rear axle I am selling in order to upgrade to factory disc brakes, the drum brake axles dont have the bracket to mount the caliper too. The entire beam is different.

Your car doesnt have ABS, so you can just cut off or otherwise remove the wheel speed sensor harness from the axle and your front hubs. The HHR is 5 lug and is available without ABS, get those hubs if you dont want to cut off wires, or if you wanna look factory.

The front axles arent an issue.

If you switch to 4wheel disc you will either need to get the master cylinder that most closely matches the system you create(IE if you put on an entire SS/SC JL9 brake system then you should switch to an SS/SC master, this will keep your brake bias acceptable) or youll need to install an adjustable proportioning valve for the rear brakes, other wise they are gonna lock up before the fronts. You really should install one anyway so you can tune the way the brakes lock up.

Ive also got a brand new in the box set of Factory GM SS front rotors, they are the good ones that come with the grey break in coatin on them, not the cheap ACDelco ones with the painted hats

If you get an entire rear axle, the swap is no more technically challenging than changing shocks and installing brake hoses.

Same for the front, if you can change a hub, and bleed brakes, youre set.