After replacing the struts, twice, and the links, twice, I was finally able to make the clunking go away by cranking down all the bolts as tight as I could get them. The links always loosened at 45-50 foot lbs of torque after a couple of hundred miles. I purchased a 18mm deep dwell socket and used my 3/4 breaker bar to wrench everything down to as tight as I could get it. After nearly 1000 miles the car rides and drives like new.
Excellent video thank you this was just what the dr ordered i'm going to try to pinpoint my problem. Mine make similar noise over bumps and sudden depress of brakes .Only thing loose is sway bar. Links look ok .
I thought I'd jump in, in case anybody happens by here with this problem. I own an 09 Hillbilly Hot Rod & to be honest, I love the car. Other than this front end noise it has given me no problems. I just finished with sway bar bushings, (direct GM parts from an eBay vendor @ $7.00/each) and sway bar links (Auto Zone by my house at $15/each) and new control arms complete (eBay @ $165/pair) and struts pre loaded complete ($100/pair eBay). The toughest part of the entire job was the back bolt on the control arm! Very stubborn. Second the cheap otc links from Auto Zone were complete garbage. I took the first pair back after 6 months and exchanged them under their lifetime warranty for another set. I'm about 4000 miles into this set and they are failing as well, as I hear that familiar clunking so they will go back too. Moog makes them also and I may order those or direct factory replacement parts. Nice video on a common problem with these cars.
Hi there hun thank you so much for this video is very helpful. My car is making the same noise coming from the driver side. I looked up the parts price for the bushings and links and its about $50 for the parts? How much in total should I be looking at to get it all fixed at a mechanic? I just don't want to be overpriced? thank you so much again
Question I am havin the same issues with this on my car. My mechanic told me it is the sway bar links but it is on my right as well. Should I just change the left one as well or just the right only? Thanks!
My 07 HHR,other wise good has had a terrible front end clunk record. One gets tired of problems that never should have been there in the first place. Shameful design quality.
i did everything he said and more still sounds like a box of rice crispies when i drive over a bump this car is a piece of shit. i replaced every movable part just about even the struts and lower control arms made no difference at all beware of this car !!
