How to install front struts and lower control arms Chevy HHR 

Another excellent video, from a pro. Thanks, gonna try my HHR now.

You did a great job explaining this! I have to do this on my 2008 HHR SS. I just bought it and it has the wrong parts in the suspension. Some one got stamped steel LCA's drilled out the 3 rivets holding on the ball joint and used bolts that came loose on the ride home from getting it. HHR SS uses Aluminum LCA's with ball joing studs that go into the steering knuckle that are 20.5 mm instead of the 20.0 mm ball joing studs found on the FE! and FE3 suspensions. A real nightmare to figure out. Oh well new LCA's on order. I hope that I can help some one else changing out LCA's on an HHR SS with the correct numbers from much research and all thanks to "HHR Chevy Network Forum". This is straight from the thread in that forum: Lower Control Arm - SS models ONLY (FE5 suspension) IMPORTANT: they are only available thru GM - No after-market suppliers make a compatible part at this time, even though they may say the parts they have are for all HHR's - GM - P/N: 25930724 - Right - GM - P/N: 25930725 - Left (note: Do NOT substitute a FE1 or FE3 LCA - the ball joint stub on them is 20MM and is not compatible with the spindle on a FE5/SS which is 20.5MM)

Your approach to the job is excellent. I live in Illinois near Chicago and the bolts on my 08 HHR SS are very tight and rusty. I use an air chissel/hammer to get the strut bolts out, because a hammer would never work. The air hammer pushes the bolts out in 4 seconds. I see a lot of people trying to leave the strut, tie rod and drive axle attached and remove and replace the lower control arm. I had to disconnect the strut bolts to install the lower control arm. Also the ball joint shaft fits in very tight. I had to apply heat and separate the pinch assy just slightly to get the ball joint shaft in fully. I enjoyed your video, thank you for creating and sharing it.

I have had a rattle in the front of my HHR for a while now and just found out it is the control arm bushings. I just want to say that you did a great job on this video. Thanks for taking the time to post it. I will be doing this job myself. Thanks!!

Excellent Job! Time to take my Mini I-Pad out to the garage and follow the steps you've worked out. Thanks a million.

Nice no nonsense video on how to do this job. You did great. I put my years in on the large transit buses most cities use so know how things are really done. Air-tools are great for sure what you did not say is how close you can come to torque specs after many years with your individual tools. Thanks for the time you put into the videos you do it makes things much easier for those able to do their own werq. Keep it up.

Changed struts and arms before on several cars but never a Cobalt. I needed to brush up.Very nice.....nothing tricky with the recording....simplicity is cool to me, just the facts maam! Thanks

This video was really helpful! I am going to be doing both struts, ties rods inner and outer, lower control arm bushings and ball joints. It seems very straight forward, but to watch it done and done right is great! Thank you!

This guy made a great video tutorial for this job. I'm 100% I can go ahead now and do this myself without issue!

I used your video to replace my control, arm on my hhr. Thanks for the details, everything went quite smoothly!

All good! Thanks for sharing. I have an '06 HHR with 220k, still has the original lower control arms and CV axles. Just replaced the engine and trans.

Tip for those watching..(2:55).The smaller the ball peen hammer the better. The idea is to "ring" the spindle where it goes through. Good video.

Just saw your video.Great job explaining steps as you went along. . The video quality is excellent. Will b doing this with help from my son.

Awesome post!! I have found catalog issues with many vehicles for aftermarket parts. Thanks for giving the SS owners the right part numbers. This world would be perfect if we all just work together :)

If anyone has questions or would request a video of a certain vehicle or suspension part please just ask. I would also like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday :)

Great video. Slow and steady pace. Good job!

Hi Gill! I hope my video helped you out. Hope you don't have the rust issues like I do! Even though that job didn't pose too much issue. Stay tuned, more videos coming! If you have any questions feel free to contact me at www.lakecountryalignment.com

Hi James, Oh man!! I have run into those issues on other installs, but not the HHR. I have heard of cutting a flap from the bottom side, or even sometimes cutting a flap out of the floor board to gain access. Please be careful!!! Check with other sources too before attempting cutting holes!!! I have used a chisel gun to cut the flap but then re-welded the flap back for strength with also painting the repaired area to prevent rust. Good luck friend!!!

Hey,thanks for a great tutorial.Perfect!

That was a good video! My HHR makes a pop noise when I go around a sharp corner after replacing just the lower control arm. Any ideas?

Great video thanks so much for doing it.

I do so many cars every day. I apologize, I don't remember all the different sizes at the moment. I do know during the whole video I mention the sizes I use. So grab a seat and don't skip ahead and just grab the sizes of sockets as I use them.

Question for you, What size is that Socket you use to remove the spindle, and the control arm? Thanks in advance

You did not torque the mounting bolts for the control arm, I was wondering why ?

Have you ever run into the vertical bolt for the control arm backing nut that breaks loose? I'm trying to figure out the best place to cut it open.

Thanks for the quick answer! I forgot to mention that I have the FE3 suspension and I meant to say sway bar bushings in stead of control arm bushings. Appreciate it.

Great to hear Jim! Good luck and be careful!

Hi Adam. To answer your question, no you dont have to remove the spindle to just do the control arm. I removed the spindle because I was doing the strut also.

Great video, i have a 2006 that the rear bolt on the lca just spins i took it to a shop but they were saying they could not get it out either. i don't know where i can go to get it out. i seen a vid that on a pt cruiser they cut an opening in the floor to access the captive nut, would this work on my hhr?your help would be greatly appreciated.and thank you in advance

Great video, what lower control arm did you get. I see it has a grease fitting on it. Looking to replace mine. Again great job on the video. Thanks

I have a 2006 2.4 HHR LT2 that I anticipate replacing the lower control arms as well as the control arm bushings, while I'm at it! The question is, I see replacement control arms that look like steel, painted black and I see aluminum arms. Which is best for my vehicle or is there any difference. Thanks in advance. BTW the video was great, lots of light and detail especially moving the brake parts out of the way.......

I have a 2010 HHR, is there a difference between using Steel versus Aluminum control arm?

No connector for the ABS sensor??? Mine has one that's attached with the spindle bolts.

do i need to remove the spindell for just the control arm

Hey man besides this have you had any other problems with the HRR

This is an excellent video! Do you have any tips for replacing the front lower control arms and quick struts WITHOUT a lift? I am using a 3 ton floor jack and 4 jack stands. How would you go about lifting the vehicle this way? specifically, where and how would you place them under the frame? I also am just using a breaker bar and sockets instead of an air gun. Thanks for your time.

I have a 2007 Chevy hhr I just purchased, I do notice that if standing outside and my boy drives the car forward and stops I can see the front wheel seems to move back and forth about an inch each way. and I see the movement at the control arm bushing at the frame. is that normal or is that a bad lower control arm thanks ED

control arms were so easy lol. I was wondering why you took so much off. struts lol

thanks for the awesome vid

Thank you my brother

Me, I think the difference to your question is the type of suspension your hhr code tag has. The tag can can be located either in the trunk on a sticker under the carpet above the spare tire. On my GMC truck it's located in my glove box. I believe you are looking a FE1 code. Just a type of suspension. Check www.rockauto.com with your vehicle specs and grab part numbers. Any other questions email me at lakecountryalignment@Gmail.com

THANK YOU!

great job,thanks.

Thanks!

why not just replace the balljoint if that is all that was wrong with the arm ?? that arm look damn near new.....

in real life, that 21mm bolt gonna be welded to the metal sleeve in the bushing and you'd have to cut the bolt or control arm.

hope it helped :)

it is a 2006 hhr