05 Chevy Cobalt suspension refresh

My GF drives an 05 Cobalt coupe, base model 5MT, bought new. She wants to get a few more years out of it, and while the drivetrain is still going strong, the suspension is showing its age and mileage (180k). I did the shocks and struts a few years ago, but obviously the rubber is tired at this point. When we swap on the snows in a couple months, I'm planning to refresh the rest of the suspension.

It's a simple setup. Front control arms and sway bar bits are the obvious points. My questions are:

• Anything else I should be doing? There's a couple of bushings in the rear; they're not making noise, but my gut says they should be replaced. Anyone have experience with these? Will they need to be pressed?

• Are the base suspension parts (pressed steel) interchangeable with the upgraded (aluminum) units? Is it worth upgrading?

I'd just do the bushings. Also, what about front and rear sway bars?:

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Eibach&model=Anti-Roll-Kit&group=Anti-Roll-Kit&partNum=3899.320&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=Cobalt+Coupe+with+4+Lug+Wheels&autoYear=2005&autoModClar=Base

You mean you'd do the rear bushings? For the front ones it's much easier just to swap the arms, which aren't too expensive and include new ball joints.

I'm not sure the car warrants new bars at this point in its life. Nice idea, and if it were mine I probably would have done them a long time ago, but as it stands I think we're just going to refresh what's there.

Anyone know about the interchangeability of the base and upgraded factory suspension parts?

I believe the arms are bolt in swaps...however I don't really see a reason why you'd want to other then it will come with the bushings and tie rod end all ready installed. The rear bushing is still the STUPID vertical bushing for the pivot. Well on second thought all that pressing and maybe bending hell buy the new arms.... My SS has needed the bushing for the last 4 years but in that 4 years it been driven maybe 4000 miles so I've not bothered I just ignore the clunking

Yep, the vertical bolt is a pretty silly arrangement. The arms are cheap enough that replacement and avoiding the potential headaches seems the best course.

I'm surprised no one sells a "kit" with thick soft rubber washers to go on top and bottom of the bushing to keep the clunking down yes they'd have to be soft so the arm can still pivot but it would help stiffen the suspension like adding "window weld" to a motor mount.