girlfriend has an 05 cobalt, and ever since she got it a few years ago it's been making all kinds of noise in the front. after looking and looking finally noticed that the A arm bushings are basically gone.

anyone know how much work is involved in replacing those bushings? do i need a new A arm?

 

If you're referring to the lower control arm (looking like the image below), the replacement bushings are available so is the whole lower control arm itself (either case, the lower control arm has to come off first):

 

I replaced both my bushings myself. If you don't have a shop press or a lot of patients, you may want to get the whole control arm. I used C-clamps and 2x4s and a hammer. It wasn't fun, but I got it done in time to drive it to work in the morning.

 

Blackbeauty89-

You have to remove the front lower control arms before replacing the bushings Here's the procedure for replacing the A arm bushings on a Cobalt:


1) Raise and support the vehicle.

2) Remove the wheel.

Warning: Do not free the ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to the seal or bushing may result.

3) Remove the ball stud to steering knuckle pinch bolt and nut.

4) Separate the ball stud from the steering knuckle.

5) Remove the rear frame bolt.

6) Remove the control arm to frame bolts.

7) Remove the control arm from the frame.

8) Wrap the control arm with a shop towel and place it in a vise.

Note: Note the depth and orientation of the old bushing before removal.

9) Using tool J 41211, pull the control arm bushing through the control arm.

10) Disassemble the tools and remove the bushing.

-To Install-

1) Place the NEW bushing to the tapered side of the control arm.

2) Using the tool, pull the control arm bushing through the opposite direction of the control arm.

3) Install the bushing to the same depth and orientation as noted during removal.

4) Remove the tool from the control arm.

5) Install the control arm by performing the following:

• Insert the rear portion of the control arm into the frame.
• Loosely install the rear frame bolt.
• Lower the control arm and insert the ball stud into the steering knuckle. The control arm contains 2 fore/aft movement limiting brackets. Failure to install these brackets will result in abnormal handling characteristics.
• Install the fore/aft movement limiting brackets onto the control arm forward bushing.
• Install both control arm to frame bolts. Tighten the bolts to 41 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).
• Tighten the rear frame bolt. Tighten the bolt to 74 ft. lbs. (100 Nm) plus 180°.Install the ball stud pinch bolt and nut.
• First Pass: Tighten the nut to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).
• Back off nut 3/4 turn
• Second Pass: Tighten the nut to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm) plus 30°.
• Install the wheel.
• Lower the vehicle.
• Road test the vehicle in order to test for leads or pulls. Align as needed.

*diagram courtesy of gmpartsgiant.com; all rights reserved