Dorman Products - 521-025

Are these close to the FE5 parts? I notice they have interchange numbers for both FE5 and FE3 arms. I can get them for $195 shipped brand new. Anyone used them or will I have to become the guinea pig?

 

I looked at these. The material is soft compared to OEM. The insert for the trailing can is not OEM outside diameter so down the road replacements are an issue. Thd ball joint pin is sized for LSJ not LNF. I made the decision NOT To use these arms

 

I need LSJ sized ball joints, but if they are softer than the OEM forget it. Running FE1 now but want upgrade without spending a ton. I see moog also has a version but they are probably the same arm. Thanks!

 

I tried these and they bend very easily. I had a thought they would be good for the street but then discovered the oversize insert in them
And NO replacements in that size. That did it for me lol

 

That would do it for me too. I can get real FE5 new from CED for $350ish or just buy used for $150 and put new ball joints on for $50, then bushings for another $150. So same price either way.

 

John, because I keep forgetting to emai/text you about it:

Are HHR FE3 or whatever non-SS control arms the same as FE3/5 cobalt?

 

yes as far as I know...

 

Ok because I got a decent set of take-offs that we replaced at work with those dorman units, I was gonna put my bushings and all together in them and have them ready to go into my LSJ when the subframe is out, rather than have to hack up the ones on the car with limited time.

 

Wanna sell em to me instead? Either set!

 

your inserts may have to made larger lol / cancel that I see you grabbed the old ones. you be good.

 

What are they worth to you?

They are OEM aluminum arms removed from an '09 I think HHR, appx 80K miles on them. It needed bushings but the service manager sold him control arms anyway. They will need the bushings replaced but are in otherwise perfect shape, ball joints are perfect, no torn boots or anything crazy. I was planning to pop in a set of powell bushings and just use them as is.

 

How soon are you doing the swap for your current arms? Is there something wrong with the arms on your car now? It'd work better for you to do what you want with the 09 arms and once you've swapped them sell me your old ones unless they are wrecked. Makes no difference to me I just don't want to halt your progress

 

Na my car is parked for several months still, I just had the chance to get the other arms and took it, they are sitting in my storage unit with a pile of other miscellaneous cobalt parts at the moment. I'd be ok to sell them, I have two other projects in line before the Cobalt even comes apart to get the motor built. Way down the line.

 

Sweet I don't know what they are worth to be honest. I see a pair of LSJ arms on eBay for $150 shipped. Also some FE3 as low as $130 shipped. Doesn't matter much to me. I'll probably go with the same bushings once all is said and done anyway and not needing to replace the ball joints helps me a lot.

 

I can do them for the $130 shipped, that's not a problem. PM me when you're ready.

 

^^^ good deal! everyone happy lol

 

In a way thanks to you! I wish I didn't have front suspension to work on or a hardcore bar would be on my menu. I have a rotary in the middle of town that begs to be driven around quickly.

 

Got my arms, installed a set of spherical trailing bushings I got an amazing deal on. Now my only problem is the leading bushings. I can't get the new ones in. I am going ******* insane. I am going to buy a vice and try some **** out tomorrow evening.

 

You need a tool shave the bushing sleeve down because each casting isn't the same inside diameter.

 

Well that's bullshit. I have a hone. I'll probably try that then... How easy should they go in?

 

I'm honestly not sure, John Powell installed both sets of CABs, that's the reason the assembled spherical ones are so expensive all the machine work on them.

 

I had zero issues with the rear bushings. Those sphericals I pressed in, in like 5 minutes. But the front ones are going to be the cause of a heart attack lol

 

When you first said rear bushings I thought of the twistbeam ones which are such a PITA, so much hammering to get them out. New ones go in easy though.

Are both CABs from Powell or did you be cheap and go with OTTP?

 

I went cheap on the front ones and got Moog replacements. Not the delrin ones. I don't need delrin front bushings, I'm not racing and it is a DD car. But these are still a royal pain in the ass. I have no clue what twistbeam bushings are lol.

 

Then the install is probably completely different than Powell leading CABs.


Twistbeam bushings
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/susp...shings-301971/