so i thought taking it do a mechanic shop to change the shocks and struts (FE1) on the cobalt. His price was crazy. He wanted for the front shocks ($335) + front mounts ($150) + rear struts ($175) + Labor for the front ($180) + Labor for the rear ($72) + Alignment ($50) = $965
So i obviously need the shocks and struts, do i need front mounts and the alignment? And also do these prices seem resonable or is he trying to get me?

 

Cobalt FE5 Struts and Shock Pkg FE5-S

Get this. labor doesn't seem to bad. Anytime you change the front struts you need an alignment. Normal price for me was 85 but I got a discount from a friend so it was $50. so if you can get it done for $50 thats a good price

 

if i get what you posted above wouldnt i also need new springs?

 

$514.99 shipped (lower 48 states) for a Complete set of KONI front and rear coblts struts!

PM us if you want them, this week only.

 

I believe you could use the same springs with those. dont quote me on that tho. About 80% sure u can.

 

Like SC Blk ss says, try Crate engine depot his package is around 291 for FE5 struts and shocks, the rear takes a shock absorber not a strut. If your car is an 07 or older, I would recommend new strut mounts, you can buy the raybestos replacement complete with bearing for under 100 the pair plus shipping. CED have access to Raybestos and other very good quality aftermarket parts that can save you money.

OEM springs are pretty decent for corrosion resistance, aftermarket ones not so much. I would look for some used TC springs used off forum, would drop the car about 20mm from your FE1 stock, and ride and handle better, for little money.

 

pic of strut mount?

 

http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...B%2FSM5513.jpg

Top is the mount
bottom is the bearing he is talking about

 

Hi,

my dealership quoted me $965 just for the front struts and mounts plus labor... so I am in the same case as you.

SC BIK, would changing the front struts using the fe5 pckg requires any additional work (I am no expert in suspension but do we remove existing struts and replace as is with new. Is there anything else that needs to be done?) in my case I have a cobalt 07 ss/sc and leaning towards getting the package you mentioned and new mounts for the front. I will reuse the springs that I currently have.
THnaks

 

Changing cobalt suspension parts is not hard, especially on the rear. Save your thousand bucks, I paid that for a Quaife/clutch/flywheel install btw

 

its not hard until you find the top strut nut rusted hard to the strut rod. Then its a massive pita when the torx strips in the strut rod and the service tool cant work.

any Coblat, 05 06 driven in north eastern winters is a rusty pos on this area. So my advice is buy springs, struts and new mounts and save an awful lot of work and misery . Got to CED/OEMpartsdepot.com and spend waaay less than ( sure its very good) expensive koni stuff and pretty darn good performance for what it is.... or buy like I said TC springs off the classifieds here, great handling option for an LS/LT

 

I agree with powell 100% WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT TAKE OFF THE TOP NUT THO!! only the 3 little nuts at the top.
Front- If you have excess to a few tools, mainly impact for the lower strut bolts. then you can do it. only reason I say impact is those can be a pain. (I broke one getting mine off but think it was never done.)
Save your money man. you can always take the whole strut to a shop and have them put your springs on them(which you need a spring compressor for.) for maybe 50-60 bucks.
You dont really need new mounts unless they are messed up in some way. Check the bearing(plastic ring when they take off the spring from the strut) make sure there is no major wear or cracks.
Rear- OMG so easy. just drops right out will take maybe 15 mins to change if everything goes ok.

I used this guide to put on my sportlines helps alot to understand.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-...springs-50477/

Hope this helped along with the other posts^^

 

how important would u say replacing the mount is? i have 33k no salt miles on it

 

IMO the bearing is more important then the mount as long as the studs arent striped. One of my studs had to be tack welded back to the mount but thats all that could really happen to the mount itself

 

ya i can understand that

 

Or you could be in the boat I am in right now where the strut worked itself off of that bolt while I was driving. Now I need to get it up in the air which is going to be a bitch as its low as **** and in my garage atm.