the bushings are about 200 bucks :-( the only other place i see that sells them is JBP and theyre 200 bucks, but the ones from OTT are the same kind the Time Attack Cobalt used. So if anything id go with those. Would I replace the upper control arm too or just the lower one?

 

Dude.....you dont have an upper control arm.....you have a macpherson type suspension the strut in a round about way replaces the upper control arm in this type of suspension...lol

 

sorry its too early in the morning and the only time i was ever having problems in this area was on my buddys v8 dakota. lol im going back to bed. lol.

 

If I have to buy the control arm bushings I have to buy two sets of two correct? one set of two per side?

 

You dont need to replace the arm to replace the bushings.

Factory bushings are gonna be like $30ea or so online probably. over $40 eah at dealer, you need two(if they are the problem)

The Time Attack joints come as a pair, you only need to buy the one set at $199

 

perfect. thanks

 

But don't you need a press to fit them together?

 

that was my first though. axle or cv joint.

 

dont say that thats the most expensive part lol.

 

Yup. there wasnt a question about how to replace the bushings though. You also need some sockets and ratchets too.

 

Your right.....whatever you do though dont take it to a shop theyll just tell you to replace the whole lower control arm because they make more money on it and they are too lazy in most cases to press out the old bushings...lol

 

ding ding ding we have a winner

 

how would a control arm bushing tho make the whole thing wabble side to side if it only lets the control arm go up and down? may sound like a dumb question just trying to figure it all out tho.
And hell no im not going to any shop. im going to SMG. he knows what hes doing lol. I think anyone in the NE will vouche for that

 

Definitely an axle. If it was a control arm bushing, they would have told you during your alignment. If it happens to mysteriously be a bushing, then they didn't tell you and you shouldn't take your car there to get an alignment anymore. If a Control Arm bushing was bad, I'm sure your rotors aren't 100%, so when you go to stop from 60mph, the car shakes a tad. If you don't hear any knocking while slowing down, then your bushings should be fine. Bushings last quite awhile. Axles on the other hand... If a bushing is going bad already, something's wrong. And axles depend on your driving. Like a recent poster said, the axle could be making it's way out. It took 25,000 miles for my axle to finally go, and I had this same exact problem and tried everything. Bushings, wheel bearings, ball joints, front end alignment, all 4 new tires. Came out to be the damn axle. Just take it somewhere to get it checked. But if it ends up being a bushing, tell them thanks...have a great day, and replace it yourself. Bushings are cake.

 

Look at how the Cobalts control arms are designed. The bushing allows movement in all directions....

 

Exactly, if you can wiggle it (arm strength), then it's replacement time.

 

with the side jacked in the air i could move it side to side similar motions as if the wheel was being turned while driving. that was very small tho but it would make a click sound when it stopped in the direction i was pushing it in wether it was right or left.
50,000 miles on the car for reference
so basically its either control arm bushing or axle, everyone seems to be 50/50. If i can get fred to call me back i can ask him