[jakeMN]

Hello! I'm new here. Thanks for all your help and support!

Looking at replacing the cracked front sway bar on the 2000 Alero, V6 automatic, and wanted to ask a couple of q's to anybody who has done this. I've read a couple posts here regarding the necessity of dropping the rear of the engine cradle to get the old bar out. I'm a garage DIY with floor jack stands only (and floor jacks of course), and was able to do this on a 98 Buick Regal. I remove the sway bar links first, right? Looks like on the Alero there are two rear tab bolts each side on the cradle, and removal of the two rear control arm bolts is also required it seems? There appears to also be one large bolt near the center of the cradle cross-member to some kind of bracket. What is that, and does that need removal also?

The sway bar bushing brackets looks pretty rusted, so I'm not even sure there are bolts holding those guys in? Looking at the GM parts site, looks like the cradle has some slots that perhaps the rear bracket tabs just slide into? Or should there be two bolts per bracket like most? At any rate, should be easier to see once I drop the cradle I suppose.

Also, on the 98 Buick, I was careful to disconnect the steering linkage lower pinch bolt at the rack and pinion gear under the dust boot before dropping the sub-frame. Do I have to worry about that on the 2000 Alero? Not sure I even see access to that underneath.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jake in MN