Sway Bar Bushing Location in a 2005 Cobalt

The front stabilizer bar on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt creates a physical link between the left and right lower control arms. The stabilizer bar is bolted to each control arm and helps to limit movement in the suspension when cornering. The bar is connected in two places to the vehicle sub-frame by U-shaped clamps with bushings between the bar and the clamp. The stabilizer bar and bushings should be in good condition and properly mounted; otherwise, the car's handling will be affected.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Cobalt on a level surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts for both front wheels with the lug wrench.

2

Lift the front of the car with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front sub-frame. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack from under the car and shake the car to ensure that it is safely seated on the jack stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts for both front tires. Remove the front wheels and tires.

4

Follow the sway bar from the control arms to the point where it meets the car's sub-frame. You'll find a mounting clamp and bushing at each side of the sub-frame. Remove the mounting bolt for each sway bar clamp. Lift the clamp toward the rear of the car and lift it out of the hole in the sub-frame.

5

Identify the cut in each bushing that is facing the rear of the car. Lift up on the top of the bushing and push the bushing toward the front of the car to remove it from the sway bar.

Installation

6

Install both new sway bar bushings around the sway bar with the cut facing the rear of the car. If the clamps are deformed or corroded, replace them as well.

7

Place the clamps into the slits on the sub-frame and pivot them down over the sway bar and bushing. Install the clamp mounting bolts and tighten them to 37 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

8

Place the front wheels and tires onto the car. Install the lug nuts and tighten them hand tight.

9

Lift the front of the car off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground. Remove the floor jack.

10

Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds in a crisscross pattern with the torque wrench.