Cobalt_noob

Hi, I have an 08 Cobalt Sport 2.4l LE5 (black sheep of the family IMHO).

I just swapped out all my suspension for KSports. Now I have seen peeps with the same issue regarding the sway bar links and the bushing spinning. So I cut the suckers off on both sides. Now my issue...

I bought NEW sway bar links but they're longer and skinnier than the ones originally on there. I'm guessing then there is adjustable ones? Can I drive with out them and everything be fine?
I know what a sway bar does, im just not keen on this particular set up. =\
Also, there is a bracket on the KSports that spin up and down between the spring perch and the lower mount. Is this where the sway bar links would bolt to??? Seems pretty loose to be a solid part for a sway bar link.

Any help is much appreciated. I looked throughout the forum, couldn't find anything specific. Unless my noobness prevents me from finding the right post?

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

You got the base model endlinks, you'll need to ask for the SS version, they're approx 2 inches shorter.

Or you can get powergrids, but those are pricey if you're not serious about Auto-X or Road Racing they're probably not worth it.

The other questions idk

Cobalt_noob

Oh ok I did not know to ask for the SS links. Thanks for the heads up.

I definitely need to know about if I can drive without them until I can pick up some new ones then. And as far as that bracket goes if that's where they hook up.

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

You can drive with the longer ones, it just might make a little extra noise, just don't go crazy and try auto-x'ing

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

To what I've read you can drive without the endlinks but like said above don't go crazy on turns

CobaltSS 16

iTrader: (3)

you can drive with no end links without any problems.... Just don't be whiping it around corners and stuff. You probably won't even notice they aren't there driving around town.

Most people on here go with Moog end links. They're an upgrade over stock.

Powergrids are adjustable and very nice. I'm running them.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

I have moog and I don't like them very much. I'm might be going with power grids even if over kill

CobaltSS 16

iTrader: (3)

I've run both... power grids are far superior bro.

Cobalt_noob

In terms of how being more superior than moog? Just better to stand up to the elements or actual functionality?

I'm just curious, if the investment is worth it then...

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

I honetly think is both lol plus you wouldn't have to grease them

CobaltSS 16

iTrader: (3)

Basically what snail said lol.

double clutch

iTrader: (1)

I drive my lifted jeep with no sway bar. Let me tell you about body roll lol.

dmstk8d1

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I have Whitline endlinks and they are beasts lol. This is the setup for ksports. And yes, that bracket is where they mount. Don't mind the filthyness, I had a dirt (mud) driveway at the time. lol

Cobalt_noob

So, I have shredded two new tires because of the Sway Bar Links digging in to the side wall of my tires! Im now up sh*t creek without a paddle!

I have lowered the front by atleast 1.5" or more.

What can I purchase to help this situation from happening again?
Definitely not on a mountain of money to keep buying new tires

To be honest im ready to use a die-grinder and cut that whole sway bar out!

PLEASE, any advice?????

Cobalt_noob

What am i doing wrong to keep causing the sway bar end links from destroying my new tires???

Cobalt_noob

Two questions to the power grids....

(1) Can these be adjusted to as low as you lower your vehicle ride height?

(2) If so, will they clear the sidewall of my tire? ( If not, do you have any to recommend, or should i just raise my vehicle ride height back up? )

I am at my wits end about this whole thing. Two brand new tires chewed. On the plus side, my interior smells like fresh burned new tire!

But seriously, i dont know what to do about this....

CobaltSS 16

iTrader: (3)

Yes the height can be adjusted. They won't hit your firewall. They are tucked in away from you're tires.

Roll your fenders if you are rubbing that bad.

Cobalt_noob

It isnt the fire wall its rubbing... its the on the tire itself. The sidewall.
Basically, the end link stud keeps tearing in to the tire.

double clutch

iTrader: (1)

Are you running aftermarket rims without the correct offset? Im having a hard time figuring out how a tire on a stock rim can be rubbing against an endlink. There are alot of ppl on here who are lower than you are (myself included) and dont have issues with that.

Cobalt_noob

So, I'm definitely lower than 2" then. I couldn't tell you in relativity to stock ride height how much I lowered it. (If you can tell me how to find out how much I lowered it, it would be much obliged)

But the link, the stud from the link grinded both my tires to dust. I can take pictures and post in a little bit as soon as I get my three little young ones to bed, if that would help????

They are stock rims with stock sized tires...

CobaltSS 16

iTrader: (3)

Post a pic

double clutch

iTrader: (1)

Yea picks would help. No way you should be rubbing with stock rims. Something might be bent

Cobalt_noob

So the first two pics are the driver's side. On the KSports they have the sway link bracket rotate freely up and down, and im assuming now to compensate for the different lengths of sway bar links (am i right??) There is no way to secure it in place either so i am worried if i purchase whatever it is i need that this will be an issue when the links are hooked up...?

But the rest are showing what happened to the passenger side. Even though the tire is still on the vehicle, the sidewall of the tire itself looks half-way like the driver's side tire (the last two pics are showing what happened to the driver side tire.)

Im not a photographer gentlemen, and its colder than a witches tit outside so i wasnt about to go through the process of removing the wheel... i can and will if need be tomorrow though.

So what do you guys think???

Sharkey

iTrader: (1)

is the collar just spinning on the threaded body? the pics i look up of those struts shows lock collars on either side of the sway bar bracket to lock it in place. see the pic below

Cobalt_noob

That's a slightly different setup than the one I have. The bracket on mine spins freely up and down. Not only that, there is an Allen key bolt on it that once you unscrew it, you can remove the bracket from the strut. Not sure the point of this other than they were expecting this to happen. ... And you can't tighten that Allen key bolt tighter so it doesn't spin either