What's the difference between a lt and rs suspension?

[Jaws4God]

Buy some SS end links. Should not cost a lot.

Imma find some online in a sec.

This may be embarrassing.. but what are the end links? Hard to swap out?

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[Bass_Waves]

Ok. Relatively cheap. 50$ for both. They are Moog end links. They are the small lil dog bones connecting the sway bar to the struts up front. I just read up and ppl with sport lines switched from fe3 to fe5 end links to compensate for the low. Go to an autozone or advance auto. They are for "sport suspension". Or tell them you have a 2007 cobalt ss supercharged. They will give you the right end links. They easy to replace. I'll get a picture.

---------- Post added at 04:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:58 PM ----------

The last pic is to show the difference in size. Don't worry about it being blue. Or black. Also there are adjustable end link but more money.

 

[Jaws4God]

Ok. Relatively cheap. 50$ for both. They are Moog end links. They are the small lil dog bones connecting the sway bar to the struts up front. I just read up and ppl with sport lines switched from fe3 to fe5 end links to compensate for the low. Go to an autozone or advance auto. They are for "sport suspension". Or tell them you have a 2007 cobalt ss supercharged. They will give you the right end links. They easy to replace. I'll get a picture.

---------- Post added at 04:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:58 PM ----------

The last pic is to show the difference in size. Don't worry about it being blue. Or black. Also there are adjustable end link but more money.

Oh. Those are the things that were a PAIN to get off.. The nut would just rotate.. had to use vice grips to hold it. Any tips?

Is fe5 and 07 ss the same? I want to make sure I get the right ones.

I'll try to get some soon!

Thank you!

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[Bass_Waves]

Yea. Fe5 = SS models.
U know if u stick a 17mm open wrench on the back end. It holds the nut. Its a small nut. Then from the outside just pound away.
I think it was a 17mm. Its a tiny lil nut. Have to center it on and then it won't rotate.

 

[Jaws4God]

Yea. Fe5 = SS models.
U know if u stick a 17mm open wrench on the back end. It holds the nut. Its a small nut. Then from the outside just pound away.
I think it was a 17mm. Its a tiny lil nut. Have to center it on and then it won't rotate.

Thanks! So as long as I order an FE5 end link it will be the right one?

I'm debating on if I should go to a local parts store or get out early on ebay.

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[Bass_Waves]

Advance auto or something. When u go and test fit them. If that solved it. Good. If not. Return em lol

 

[Jaws4God]

So do i say i need the end links for 2007 cobalt SS? Or are other years ok? Is there a benefit to getting aftermarket instead of stock style?

I do see your point of returning them.. but since I am keeping the car.. I don't mind upgrading even if it doesn't fix this problem.

Thanks again!

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---------- Post added at 01:05 AM ---------- Previous post was Yesterday at 11:55 PM ----------

i'm getting so confused now... I was looking these up on Advanced AutoParts.. and it shows:

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Front; COMPLETE; 250mm Long; 2 Req.

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LT
Front; COMPLETE; w/FE5 Suspension; 2 Req.

So does my 2010 LT have the FE5 already?

 

[Bass_Waves]

Halfcent~

This is a sticky covering the various OEM suspension and brake packages available on the different models Cobalts. I do not have all the facts yet, and will note where information is needed. If you have a fact, post it, and I'll add it to the list.

Thanks to Maven for a lot of info. Instead of re-posting here, look below for a nice part number list.

The suspensions:
Starting with the FE1, and then the changes with each up-level system

FE1 suspension
19-mm front stabilizer bar
16-mm rear stabilizer bar
Stamped steel front lower control arms

FE3 suspension
22-mm front and rear stabilizer bars
Cast aluminum front lower control arms
FE3 shocks and springs

FE5 suspension - 2005-07 years
24-mm front stabilizer bar
FE5 shocks and struts. The springs may be different from some FE3 models.
Larger front end links

FE5 suspension - 2008 and up years
24-mm rear stabilizer bar
NEW FE5(LNF) shocks, struts, and springs.
Updated front knuckle

The Brakes
Brake systems are independent of suspension system, even though many parts are dependant on each other

J41
Front disc; 256mm x 23.69mm front rotors, 50mm single piston iron calipers
Rear drum; 50mm single piston iron calipers, 9.06" rear drums
4x100 wheels
(LS/LT)

JM4
Same as J41 but with ABS
(LS/LT w/ABS)

5 Lug JM4
ABS front disc; 276mm x 23.69mm rotors, 52mm single piston iron calipers
Rear drum; (unchanged except for 5 lugs)
5x110 wheels
(LT w/ABS and upgraded wheels, LT2, 2009 LT2 Sport)

JL9
ABS 4 wheel disc; 296mm x 26mm frt rotors, 54mm single piston iron calipers
Rear; solid 270mm x 14mm rear rotors, 38mm single piston iron calipers
5x110 wheels
(SS/SC, SS/NA, 2.4L Sport)

JL9/LNF
ABS 4 wheel disc; 315.5mm x 26mm frt rotors, 38mm 4 piston Brembo aluminum calipers
Rear; vented 292mm x 19.9mm rear rotors, 40mm single piston iron calipers
5x110 wheels
(SS/TC)

The Cars
These are just Cobalts. If anyone can fill me in on G5's, Ion's or HHR's, I'll add that.

2005

Base, LS, LT - FE1 with J41 or JM4
SS/SC - FE5 with JL9

2006 - 07

LS, LT, LTZ - FE1 with J41, JM4, or (2007) 5-lug JM4
SS/NA - FE3 with JL9
SS/SC - FE5 with JL9

2008 (updated FE5 specs began this year)

LS, LT - FE1 with J41, JM4, or 5-lug JM4
Sport - FE3 with JL9
SS/TC - FE5 with JL9(LNF)

2009

LS, LT - FE1 with J41, JM4, or 5-lug JM4
SS/TC - FE5 with JL9(LNF)

Part interchangeability

So far, and to the best of our collective knowledge, every single suspension part is completely interchangable between models. Some rules apply, which are listed here:

1. If you change the front anti-sway bar, you must be careful to get the proper model year. As explained below by Maven, the FE5 front bar mounting changed between 2005-06. It appears the simple trick it to just get the 2005 FE5 parts to insure compatibility.

2. You can change the rear FE1 axle to an FE5 axle. The FE5 axle has provisions for mounting rear disk brakes. So you either have to cut those off to put on your drums back on, or you have to convert to rear disks. Converting to rear disks does NOT mean you have to convert to 5 lug hubs, but you are going to have to find some 4-lug rotors!

3. Knuckles are the same on every suspension up through 2007. In 2008, the FE5 knuckle was updated with various improvements for bump steer. It is NOT interchangeable. You can still use the GM Racing knuckles for those earlier years

4. Every other part should be completely compatible. For instance, you don't have to use FE1 struts if you want to put on FE5 springs, and so forth.

_________________________________________

I'm still collecting my data and making changes to this. I wanted to get it posted right away in case any help can be offered. Anything you can give, part numbers, spring rates, off the wall stuff, post it up.

 

[Jaws4God]

FE5 suspension - 2005-07 years
24-mm front stabilizer bar
FE5 shocks and struts. The springs may be different from some FE3 models.
Larger front end links

FE5 suspension - 2008 and up years
24-mm rear stabilizer bar
NEW FE5(LNF) shocks, struts, and springs.
Updated front knuckle


2009

LS, LT - FE1 with J41, JM4, or 5-lug JM4
SS/TC - FE5 with JL9(LNF)

Yeah I had seen that on another cobalt forum.. so I'm guessing if I read that right I have the newer fe5 setup. . Would have been more confident if they had listed the 2010 car on there instead of stopping at 2009

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[Bass_Waves]

2009-2010 is the same exact thing. You said you have a LT? You have fe1
My redline has fe3 and I can def tell you it is diff and sucks next to my fe5.

The fe5 is pretty much the SS only type of suspension. Doesn't mean u can't run it

If u notice in the upper section. When half cent says all 2008+ are fe5. He was talking about the LNF or SS/Tc .