oldford

My 2006 LT lower control arm is banging into the sway bar on rough roads. I can see the shiny spot where the contact is being made. I think the lower control arm bushings are worn out. Anyone have experience with the Mevotech lower control arms? Other thoughts? I've got new sway bar bushings and ends and struts all ready. 95k on it, all hard use, dirt and gravel roads, etc.

TIA, Eric

WillBeck_CobaltSS

link to the mevotech? good time to upgrade to FE5 components i think :)

oldford

Mevotech lower control arms are sold by Rock Auto and others, apparently the only aftermarket available. What's an FE5 upgrade entail? My glove box door carries an FE1 code.

Thanks, E

WillBeck_CobaltSS

The FE5 suspension is standard on the SS cobalts. Since we can share just about every other suspension component, why not control arms?

FE5 arms are made of aluminum, and are much better than the standard FE1 variety.

oneton

I was thinking FE5 was springs & shocks only

WillBeck_CobaltSS

Nope, FE5 includes the front swaybar, rear TWB, shocks/struts, springs, and control arms.

prod

I believe changing to the FE5 front swaybar also requires new bushings and clamps, and dropping the front subframe to install. It may require more, as I have heard FE1 swaybar clamps are secured with a bolt on one end and a tab on the other, while the FE5 clamps are bolts on both ends. Perhaps someone could verify that.

WillBeck_CobaltSS

some 06's and the 05's had a single bolt clamp. The extra torsion forces will eventually cause the clamp to fail. Later 06's and all following SS's had dual bolt clamps.

and yes, changing the bar requires new clamps and bushings, but it can be installed without dropping the sub-frame.

fringeIT

Which would be easier?

ZTony8

The control arms are the same part numbers on the Cobalt and the HHR so swap away!