so i just went to get my car alligned and get new tires, when they had the front tires off they had me go look and in the wheel well there'* two metal things on each side of the car, that are behind the tire, that look like mushrooms kind of. theres a bolt that srews in the bottom of it to hold it on. they hold together the frame the mechanic told me and that it holds in the suspension and like the engine i think. it makes a noise when i hit bumps like metal hitting each other. does anyone have Any idea what im talking about or how much one of these things cost?

any help would be great!

I'll bet you're talking about stabilizer bar end links. These links connect the stabilizer (sway) bar to the lower control arm on either side of the car. The stabilizer bar is also held to the frame in cushioned mounts called sway bar frame bushings. The end links may cost $50-$75 per side to have replaced. The frame bushings for the sway bar should be less than $50 unless one of the clamp bolts breaks off in the frame. Here is a picture of an end link.



Other possibilities from your description:

There is a ball joint behind the tire that holds the lower control arm to the steering knuckle. That would cost about $100 to have replaced.

There are motor mounts and transmission mounts that support the engine and trans on the front subframe assembly. Those might cost $75 - $150 to have replaced depending on which one has failed.

There are control arm bushings that cushion the joints where the control arm attaches to the frame. Those might cost $100 or so to have replaced.

The only thing that looks like a “mushroom” and located behind the front tire, is the sub-frame (engine cradle) isolators. They can be ordered from GMPartsDirect.com., or purchased from a dealer. The part number for one is 14103535, and the other part number is 25536050. If you do the complete set, you will need 6 of each, 12 total! (Six upper, and six lower). I installed a complete set for a customer last month and my cost was about 8 dollars each. I installed them, one set at a time. Took about two hours. (No major rust on this one)

You may need the bolt and washers also if your car has been subjected to a lot of road salt. They eventually rust through and break. Hopefully, you can get the remaining stud out. I have seen the cradle rust through also. Bad news when this happens, a new one cost about 900 bucks and a PITA to replace. Remember, the cradle is the only thing that holds the engine & transaxle in the car!

Thanks Z28. Never even considered the subframe isolators! Just a subtle reminder that problems like this are more likely as these cars, especially in high rust areas, get older. Not a common complaint.

Hot Z28 or anyone else, do you have the part number for the washer/retainer that holds those isolators?

1640188(6) 6.86 Lower retainer

this is what I have

Thanks for the quick reply sonoma_zr2.
Does anyone know where I can get just one retainer besides visiting a salvage yard and getting another rusted one? GMPartsdirect wants $11 for shipping and handling.

I think your chances of getting a "bad" one are slim. My 97 has over 300k on it and my retainers and bolts were perfect. A jy would be your best bet. ordering from a dealer will be about the same as gmpd