I know this has been discussed to death but I'm still unclear...I have a 2007 1LT with the 250mm 9.8 in stabilizer bars stock. I need to replace the control arms and want to go with forged not steel, but the listings I see online for nearly all the forged arms show them as FE3 arms with 300mm 11.8 in stabilizer bars. Is it possible/wise to order the FE3 spec arms and use the 300mm bars to tighten the suspension, or do I have to have the the model that fits the 250mm softer suspension? Are there other good forged arms suppliers other than Moog and Delco? I see Delphi, for example that are about $50 less per set, and some that are even less. Thanks for the feedback!

 

When you talk about 9.8 inch or 11.8 inch stabilizer bars - you are using totally the wrong terms. What you are actually referring to are called SWAY BAR END LINKS!!!!
A stabilizer bar is the 25 or 23mm bar that runs from one side of the car to the other, and is attached to the lower control arms with the SWAY BAR END LINKS. A 9.8 inch stabilizer bar would definitely stiffen up the suspension - LOL - also called an anti-roll bar (roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar, stabilizer bar).

The correct end links are the 9.8 inch/250 mm ones. Installing longer ones will not stiffen the suspension at all - not sure where you got that idea from at all. The longer ones will generally cause the anti-roll bar/stabilizer bar to sit at the wrong angle and foul other suspension parts.

and yes there are numerous other suppliers of the cast lower control arms.

You need to check out this thread regarding parts and part numbers: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/comm...-thread-48833/

 

GM parts show the same number part for the LCA, either FE1 or FE3. In other words, they use the same part. Some of the aftermarket vendors list them as just being for the FE3. That's not accurate and a bit misleading.
They DO show a different strut number depending on if it's a FE1 or FE3.

Here's what whopper means as far as the correct terms.

 

My apologies for any confusion...I looked at a lot of parts yesterday to the point of late night bleariness, and many sites, especially eBay suppliers, refer to the parts in question as Stabilizer Bars...RockAuto calls them Stabilizer Bar Links. Thanks for the link to the HHRnet parts list... there are a few control arms mentioned there, but RockAuto is down to only three suppliers for my 2007 for both sides, AC Delco, Mevotech, and Moog, and Dorman is the only other one listed on the linked parts list and also very pricey. There are 8 or 10 other forged arms available that are less expensive, but most of them mention FE3. The FE1 is listed as the "Soft Ride Suspension" by GM Press Releases and other sources for the HHR, and the FE3 Sport Suspension arm packages for sale on eBay and Amazon, etc. always seem to have the 300mm sway bar links, so I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) the 250mm links were part of the FE1 package - if not, I'd love to know the difference. My local dealer told me they wanted to physically measure the links on the car at $150 an hour, even after I gave them the VIN. I read elsewhere on HHRnet that the control arms for the FE1 and FE3 are the same, but the compatible vehicle lists for most online parts aren't clear, many specifying FE3 only, some FE3 for other GM cars but not the HHR - in looking at GM Parts Online they only show one control arm for the 2007, but it would be helpful to be certain about it. I have to pay someone to do this work, and don't want to have the car in the air only to find I have the wrong parts, and have them buy local replacements at two or three times the price. I bought my HHR two years ago and dealt with these parts then, but not since, so I'm not a veteran on the intricacies of these part numbers, etc., and appreciate the feedback.

Thanks again.

 

The answer is. They're all the same thing spec wise as long as you go with the correct, cast aluminum arms. Doesn't matter if you get them for a FE1 or FE3. They use the same specs. It's the aftermarket vendors that make it confusing by listing different part numbers and fitments.

Since the HHR and the Cobalts share the same suspension of the GM Delta body platform, I think this is where the confusing "mixing" of part numbers started. Some of the earlier Cobalts had stamped steel arms and maybe those longer stabilizer links.
The vendors just saw FE1 and FE3 and listed parts that way instead of listing them separate between the HHR and Cobalt.

 

Thanks for the control arm part number clarification. The Sway Bar Link length issue remains blurry to me, as both 250 and 300mm links were used in the same 2007 model year HHR...and I was hoping one was for the FE1 and the other for the FE3. Apparently not?

 

Not according to that GMparts listing I posted above. It only shows 1 sway bar link for the 2007 HHR.
Like I said, a lot of those parts listing from aftermarket vendors are inaccurate and sometimes just wrong.

 

One big difference between FE1 and FE3 is spring size and coil diameter.
Save yourself time and headache and go to RochAuto.
Just get the aluminum control arms (I purchased MOOG)
As for the end link, pull the front tire and measure it.
That's no worse than changing a flat tire.

 

X2 ^^^^ RockAuto, don’t forget the discount code!

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/supp...-2020-a-61707/

Moog or AC Delco aluminum LCA’s
Moog sway bar end links.

save your sanity, don’t go cheap! You’re gonna end up buying two sets!

 

To summarize:
This does not apply to SS/FE5, that is a completely different discussion.
FE1 = FE3
9.8 inch/250 mm sway bar links. The parts books are wrong if they say 12 inch. Confusion comes from idiots reading part numbers.
in 2007 some sway bars were 25 mm some were 23 mm. Wrap a string or wire around the sway bar and measure. 1 inch is not close enough to 25 mm, get metric.
The correct LCA is CAST alloy, not forged, not welded, not steel. Ball joints seem to be the price difference between brands. There are some rebuilts out there, fine.