OEM 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Control Arm Bushing

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the control arm bushing in the rear suspension on 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?

  A: Begin the Control Arm Bushing replacement in the rear suspension by first lifting then supporting the vehicle before removing the rear wheels. After raising and supporting the vehicle install screw-style jack stands directly under both rear axle ends. Next remove body attachment nuts from the rear brake hose brackets so they hang free. Carefully drop the axle after removing bottom shock bolts but avoid bending brake tubes. Place the jacks at a lower position to extract Coil Springs then follow by putting the lower shock bolts back to hold the axle while taking off the bushing bracket to body bolts at both rear axle points. Cautiously elevate the axle rear using jack stands to expose bushing brackets before detaching through bolts securing the bushing brackets and backing them out of position. Record both depth and installation orientation of the removed bushing prior to completing removal. The j 44570 bushing remover/installer kit (J 44570) requires installation of j 44570-1 while maintaining the tool lip between the axle sleeve and bushing flange; additional force with a hammer might be needed for complete tool seating. Begin by hand-tightening the j 44570-3 inside the j 44570-1 which fits snugly between the axle bushing and the axle sleeve. Use a hammer to drive the bushing out of the axle sleeve but afterwards disassemble the tool before final hand removal of the bushing. For bushing installation place the new elements into the axle sleeve with the rubber end pointing toward the axle center and the largest void situated in line with the wheel hub. Install the j 44570-1 onto the bushing followed by inserting j 44570-3 through j 44570-1 and the axle bushing before adding the j 44570-2 bearing and washer and nut. When installing the bushing into the axle sleeve use hex tool control to push down the threaded shaft as you turn the nut then remove the bushing installation tool. Attach axle brackets to bushings while positioning alignment slot toward outboard side then install loosely the bushing bolts with park brake cable brackets and nuts. Lower the rear end of the axle until bushing brackets make contact with the body frame then hand-tighten axle bracket-to-body bolts before checking that through bolts on the axle bushings face the internal body direction. At the correct trim height set the technician to torque the axle bushing through bolts to 90 nm (66 ft. Lbs.) +60 degrees and drive two 12 mm diameter pins through the axle brackets which penetrate the underbody while simultaneously tightening the left and right axle bracket bolts. After supporting the axle with jack stands lower shock bolts should be removed while keeping the axle bracket to body bolts torqued to 90 nm (66 ft. Lbs.) +30 degrees. Lower the jacks to position Coil Springs after turning them face-first toward the vehicle's rear. The installation process requires slight compression of springs before tightening lower shock bolts to 110 nm (81 ft. Lbs.). After removing the jack stands you should move the rear brake hose brackets to the body position then apply the brake hose bracket attaching nuts before reinstalling the rear wheels and lowering the vehicle.