slonny

Maintenance Log:
07/06/16 - 70,500 mi - replaced lower control arms

No so long ago I purchased CV axles and Lower Control Arms from Detroit Axle for my 2011 Chevy HHR. The price was just right and the company was based in USA, which meant for me that the quality of the product should be pretty good. Well... today is 10/18/16 and the car has 78,900 mi. Both of the parts are worn out to the extent that they need to be replaced again. Come on, I would expect a product made in China to last longer than this!

I was warne not to get steel parts that were made for Cobalt, BUT the reason wasn't really too convincing. Now, it looks like geometry of the part is different than the one for Chevy HHR. It fits, but the part of the LCA where the bushing is located is slightly angled. I think that was one the reasons for quick failure, besides inferior quality of the rubber.


The ball joint dust cover shows cracks.


LCA bushing is cracked too! Is it supposed to be angled like this?! I thought is supposed to be flush with the metal plate at the bottom.

CV Axles are making clicking noise on turns again. Even the one that I replaced not so long ago (https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...d-57383/page6/).

slonny

I will have to rework the front end suspension very soon. I need advice on the parts from Respected and Tested manufacturers that will last me as long as, if not longer than, the OEM parts.

My car has 78,800 mi on it right now. I think it is a good idea to change out struts, sway bar endlinks, and tie rod ends.

Here is the list of parts for my next project:
Struts
CV Axles
Lower Control Arms
Sway Bar Endlinks
Tie rod Ends

Better start saving now.

Thanks!

donbrew

Evidently my experience wasn't good enough the first time.

slonny

What exactly donbrew? I wish you mentioned what parts I should get before I actually got them. :-)

slonny

Here is my research:

CV Axle

119.98 CV Axle - Constant Velocity Driveshaft CV Axle Constant Velocity Driveshaft See Compatibility Chart for Location | eBay

Struts

52.78 KYB SM5513 - Strut Mount Kit https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5513-Strut-Mount-Kit/dp/B0037WBB6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476839131&sr=8-1&keywords=KYB+SM5513+Mount#Ask
74.78 KYB 339085 Excel-G Gas Strut https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QU44PA..._t2_B0037WBB6K
74.78 KYB 339084 Excel-G Gas Strut https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QU8CV2..._t1_B001QU44PA

Stabilizer Bar Link

45.1 Moog K750012 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K750012-...hevrolet%3Ahhr

Lower Control Arm

$106.76 Moog RK620897 Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly https://www.amazon.com/Moog-RK620897-Control-Joint-Assembly/dp/B00CCK9L7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476840881&sr=8-1&keywords=MOOG+RK620897
$106.12 Moog RK620898 Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly https://www.amazon.com/Moog-RK620898-Control-Joint-Assembly/dp/B00CCK9LCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476840788&sr=8-1&keywords=MOOG+RK620898

Wheel Alignment

65 United Alignment

Total Cost $645.30

As far as the struts go, I decided to go with KYB. It is not the entire assembly, which means I will have to remove the spring. Do I need to get Spring Isolators, Boot and Bumper, and Upper spring seat or I can reuse the old ones.

If I need to get new ones, then I would rather buy full assembly from Monroe. I will come out to be the same price.

126.09 Monroe 172179R Front Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly https://www.amazon.com/Monroe-172179...MONROE+172179R
121.49 Monroe 172179L Front Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly https://www.amazon.com/Monroe-172179L-Suspension-Spring-Assembly/dp/B004J2DHDW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476838473&sr=8-2&keywords=MONROE+172179R

geg

Moog - excellent company. I used it, I liked everything except the price.
In our part of the world Moog very expensive.

whopper

Don suggested the following: "If it was me I would get rebuilt rather than new; Be sure to match up the new and old boots. There are some that "fit" but the wrong boots are not long enough and break very quickly (voice of experience). "

Regarding the Lower control arms - well, we already gave an explanation several times - but your response was "People have used the steel ones before with great success. If Whooper can give a satisfactory justification why one should use one over the other, then I may consider it. But for now, the click on reverse was there before control arms were installed. It is still there now, and it is getting worse.

Control arms don't make clicking sound. If the bushing goes bad then your steering wheel begins to shake and your front wheels move when you stop." ( https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...ing-bad-57383/)

and my response was.... "x2 - considering that the HHR weighs approx. 400 lbs more than the Cobalt, and since the cast ones are stronger............. well you pays your money and you take your chances. Me, if I was checking out a used HHR and spotted the stamped steel LCA's installed, I'd think to myself "well what else did the owner go cheap on".

Yes the HHR is built on the Cobalt platform, but there must be a reason GM upgraded to the more expensive LCAs. "

We tried to help man.

slonny

This is turning into an argument. I will just say that this information was really helpful and I hope will serve for others as a good proof of why not to use these parts. Now,I need to find out which parts are reliable and will serve me well.

Thanks geg! I really appreciate your input. I'll definitely give their LCA a shot.

Oldblue

There is a parts listing the numbers and what fits and works


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

As for saving money, the cheap stuff isn't so inexpensive and it's down right dangerous

donbrew

I daresay there are 200-300 of my posts relating to front suspension parts and repairs available to anyone in the world that takes the time to research.

When somebody starts paying me I'll start recommending brands. When "brands" means something again.

Unfortunately when it comes to parts for 6 year dead car models, what used to be good may no longer be. LCAs I got from a company were good the first time second time the ball joints lasted less than a year. The vendors buy them by lots from China no guarantee that one lot is going to be the same as another.

Just think about how little shipping costs from China for an entire container full of LCAs; probably on the order of $.0002 each. The total cost to the importer is less than the melt value of the aluminum.

Side note: the pictures you posted look normal to me, you are forgetting that the suspension moves and the parts are unloaded while taking the pictures. The purpose of the bushing is to allow the arm to move in relation to the anchor point.