scot6580

Hi all!
I wish my first post on this site was less of an issue but here goes.
I bought a 2008 HHR SS yesterday and brought it home 2 hours away. Mostly freeway but I heard some clunks in the front end and noticed that at first corner to the right with speed, I almost lost control. Got it home and put it up on jack stands and checked things out. The 3 bolts that hold the passenger side LCA ball joint were completely loose. I tightened them, gave her a spin and it felt like a different car but still has some clunking, although be it not near as bad. But this prompted me to look further. After the three bolts were tightened, I noticed that there was small but noticeable amount of movement in the passenger side ball joint. I found this forum and read the posts about FE5 suspension parts. FE1 and FE3 ball joints don't fit in the FE5 LCA. Also found through here that the studs on the ball joinst are 20.5 mm instead of the standard HHr ball studs that are 20.0 mm My question is; can you buy the ball joints (only) straight from GM or has any ball joints (only) come out on the market yet from after market (Moog) that will fit the GM 25930724 and 25930725 LCA's. After reading and searching on here, I realize some of you guys have been there and checked just recently and I appreciate that GM says you can only get the LCA's through them, but I'm hoping for ease of installment I can just get the Ball Joints.
If I have something confused here please feel free to correct me. I'm new to this beast. I like the car otherwise.
Thanks

Oldblue

Welcome to the site, nope you cannot buy just the ball joints from GM, or any other suppliers for that matter.
Just the GM part numbers, which are for the complete LCA! In page #4 FE5 SS lower control arm, under suspension

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/comm...-part-i-48833/

scot6580

Thanks Oldblue,
I was hoping differently but that's OK, it's a good way to get to know my new red wagon. Thanks for the link. Do you have a recommendation for a GM parts source?

Oldblue

Yes, be careful if the parts source, some will say it fits the FE5 but they don't

GM part number is the best way to order, sometimes there is a GM dealer on eBay, I'm leery of some places showing them as upper and lower control arms, or just vague pictures.
You might best just go to your local GM parts counter! These are getting hard to find!

scot6580

Darn, just noticed stamped steel LCA's. 724, 725's should be aluminum from what I've read. Not sure if they replaced the knuckle so the different 20 mm stud would fit from the LE1, LE3 suspendion. If it is the FE5 knuckle, I'm thinking it could be ruined? Well those are going in the $**T can and the new correct ones going in. Probably get new knuckles to be sure. These must have been put in a long time ago from the looks of it. They didn't know or decided to go the unsafe cheap route. This doesn't look like too bad of a job to do in my garage.
If you see anything wrong here, please correct me.
Thanks

Oldblue

You have stamped steel LCA's in your SS? Their incorrect, closely inspect the knuckle for cracks , if they tried to tighten the ball joint pinch bolts , they could have damaged the knuckles!
Do you have pictures?

scot6580

I'll take some and post them up shortly. Doing the tax thing with the wife right now.

Oldblue

Oh, dear! I'd rather watch paint dry then do my taxes!

scot6580

Truer Words never spoken!

OK Oldblue here's a few pics.

donbrew

The fact that the ball joints are bolted on means that somebody found replacements at some time.

Are you positive that you have a SS? With a turbo? There have been fakes around.

Yes, they should be cast aluminum.

I am not sure if this is a crack or not.