Mindrot

iTrader: (1)

I don't. Try going to a local parts store. I got mine from Advanced

noorj

iTrader: (17)

Are they the one with voids in them or completely filled rubber? Sorry I'm just trying to find the best ones for autox. I'm assuming you like them?

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

the best for auto x are spherical cabs we sell, but you would need alloy arms for that if you do not have them. we have some reasonably priced new alloy arms. The castor changes with the alloy arms the combination would help turn in, as the control arm moves in under load with any rubber bushing, which causes positive camber and overheats the outer rib and wears it out qwik....auto x is a great way to start.

arsenal21

Just a FYI for anyone who uses this how to.

By loosen he means completely remove. I "loosened" the bolt and was trying to get that pin to drop without taking the bolt completely out.

Once I removed the bolt completely the control arm pin slid right out of the nuckle.

06cobalt racer

iTrader: (11)

this +1

fearsofwar

I did this not too long ago. The stock holey ones were ripped to hell & back. I went with the solid Moog ones. Unfortunately, my father-in-law's bushing press was too small for the FE1 arm, and I had to go to a local shop to push them. Only charged me $20 for both sides though, so it wasn't bad. In doing so, I realized the process for this is a 180 degree flip from my old EG Civic. Taking them OFF the Cobalt was easy, but frustrating as mess to put back on. My Civic was no ends of trouble to remove, but went back on in a jiffy.

matthewross1987

Hello everyone,

I found this forum because I was searching for information about changing the lower control arm on a 2005 cobalt. This step by step guide is fantastic, but I have one quick question...

I read on another forum that some people have trouble getting the frame bolt off (the one that attached the rear bushing). Apparently, the nut is welded to the frame, and if the nut breaks loose, the bolt and nut spin freely in the frame. Have any of you experienced this? Is there a way to avoid this? Should I use air tools or hand tools?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

^^ it happens. Lots of PB blaster or penetrating oil up top... and I am not sure an Impact is as good as a strong bar with a long 4 ft pipe extension to tell the truth...
its up here on the passenger side

this drawing pathetic as it is, shows the control arm bushing where the sleeve can actually rust to the bolt, and then the upper captive nut which can break loose and spin if you are unlucky. Lots of penetrating oil, and like I said, I am not sure an impact is a good thing. Sometimes we have to heat everything with a cutting torch and its an ugly mess. Best be patient and let the penetrating oil sit over nite

matthewross1987

This is extremely helpful. I'm trying to avoid stripping that nut at all costs. If it happens, I'm screwed. I'm a DIYer without a torch or anything like that.
How often does this nut break off and spin freely? (This is a 2005 Cobalt with original suspension). Also, why specifically would an impact wrench be bad? Do you think that I'm more likely to strip that nut that way? I've been getting advice from a few people on this. Half the people say to use air tools and the other half say to use hand tools. I can't make up my mind. Haha. Lastly, if the captive nut is hidden, how do I get PB blaster in there? Should I just douse the whole area?

Sorry for all the questions, but I can't afford to run into that problem. If you think I'm better off bringing it into a shop, let me know.

Anyway, thanks! This picture is exactly what I needed.

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

the top where the arrow points to? pb blaster and it runs down.

sometimes air tools are good because of shock impact. For this app? I am not so sure.

Hobbitjones

iTrader: (1)

Im really glad that this how-to still is helping people. I was so frustrated when i did mine i couldnt believe with all the CAB problems these cars have that no one else had made one lol.

I only had to loosen the bolt coming out of the knuckle #2 as i also had a rummer mallet to help slide it out. Although removing probably would make it much easier.

Pb Blaster in any suspension install on original parts i have found is your Best Friend lol. Rubber mallet being close 2 lol

Pos ss

Some questionable repairs after an accident left the passenger cradles captive nut spinning in the bore. Anyone out there know how to get it out? The bolt keeps spinning. Drivers side came out with hand ratchet (nothing was torqued). Tips of cradle bolts were ground to a point, & then installed. Thanks, Larry

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

the stock cradle bolt has a wedged shaped tip. The passenger side is accessible with difficulty' break it out and replace with new bolt, nut and washer. You can get the bolts from crate engine depot, the washer and nyloc nut ( use stainless) at Fastenal.

this crude picture shows you where you can get inside at the top. Try cutting the bolt head off so you can drop the cradle it will be easier; sometimes you can get a stick welder and weld the nut. Its a reeal pita job, sorry to say

Pos ss

The bolts used are longer than stock & extend to within about 1/4" from floor pan. Modified bolts were used as alignment drifts, & then ground in with an impact. Hopefully l can get my plasma cutter in there to cut the top off the bolt & nut. Thanks for your help. Larry

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

torque to 75 ft lbs plus 180 degrees (or 145 ft lbs straight). good luck it really is a frugly job.

09CobaltSport

how hard/stupid would it be to press in the new bushings with a vise? maybe use a piece of wood as a buffer between the vise jaws and the bushing?

just a thought. $15-20 to pay someone to press them might as well be free. but weekends are my only time to work on my car and i don't know if any machine shops are open on the weekends.

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

If the captive nut spins cut the bolt off at the head the problem is the Center sleeve rusts to the bolt. the bolt will go out the top in the passenger side. Pictures maybe tomorrow I spent four hours on one yesterday cutting torch to remove arm and bolt. It's frugly

OttawaMark

iTrader: (3)

I used a standard blow torch and managed to slip it in the engine bay upside down to put lots of heat on those nuts to get the bolts loose, just watch the driver side as the fuel lines are in the vicinity. It wasn't budging otherwise.

Staged07SS

iTrader: (25)

I just installed new cabs on my car last week.

I used a ball joint removal/install kit to press out the old cabs. Worked great. Removed the control arms, pressed out/pressed in the bushings, & reinstalled in under an hour with a coffee break.

I've seen people use a vice though, but it makes the job a little harder.

Jack the steering knuckle up a bit to help get the control arm & the bushing lined up with the cradle bolt hole when you go to reinstall, or you will fight with it for hours.

Just don't jack up the steering knuckle to high, or you risk popping the half shaft bearings out. Trust me I know, happened to me when I did the passenger side. I got carried away with jacking the knuckle up. Now I'm replacing an axle (easy job though).

As Powell mentioned, use PB plaster (I like liquid wrench) on the craddle bolt. I used good ol' arm strength and a breaker bar to loosen/remove the bolt.

Powell Race Parts

iTrader: (3)

I will post pictures later; a couple of days ago I had a steel arm FE1 car with the center of the cab bushing, the metal sleeve, rusted solid to the cab bolt. I had to cut the arm off and the bolt; the actual captive nut was not rusted, the sleeve stopped the bolt from dropping as it was undone, so that wrecked the captive nut assembly.

Oxy acetylene torch and a lot of work to fix. Not to be attempted without proper equipment.

Incognito11

Hey guys so looking to give my suspension a little R&R, plan on doing the sway bar bushings & end links along with these control arm bushings. Wanting to get all the knocks out i was wondering what you guys would call this part along with if the necessity would be there to replace these?
sorry if its obvious but took a copy of the pics from the earlier page to try and target the part im looking to identify:



Thanks!
Taylor

Staged07SS

iTrader: (25)

Ball joint.

Incognito11

lol lower ball joint of course, thanks!

Incognito11

Anyone ever get the part #'s for the moogs? Also anyone doin the front bushing while at it?

Staged07SS

iTrader: (25)

MOOG (K6698)

^I just installed them on my car.

My front bushings were in great shape, along with my ball joint. I only changed the rears. They had tears in them.