River

Both my ball joints (on end of tie rods that come out of steering rack and attach to knuckly) are rattling, too much driving on a dirt road I suppose.

So I ordered a set from Napa this morning, then came here to see if any installation help is posted. Have not seen much other than it may be a pain and not so easy?

Can anyone provide any insight, should I just take to a shop/dealer (prefer NOT to go to a dealer)?

Thanks!

843de

OK, got me a tad confused here so its time to whip out the diagrams, do you mean the outer tie rod ends as indicated by #6 in the first diagram?

Or do you actually mean the lower ball joints as indicated by #22 in the second diagram?

It makes a difference, lower ball joints are a huge pain in the butt to do, there are rivets that need to be drilled out and chiseled off the lower control arms in order to even get the old ball joints off...and its more cost effective to replace the entire control arm for about $90 for each side.

Now the outer tie rod ends are relatively simple to change, but you will need an alignment when you're all done, since its impossible to get everything back to exactly the same position as it was.

River

Thanks for the diagrams (been looking for those). It's #6 on the first one. I'm just hoping what I ordered is the right one, will find out tomorrow I guess. We talked it over on the phone while he looked at the diagram so hopefully it's ok.

I can't see #22 real well, looks like it bolts to bottom of knuckle?

Any tips on doing #6 I should know of?

Thanks again!

River

already plan on alignment, have a lifetime one at Discount right down the street.

843de

Tie rod ends aren't that bad of a job really, here's video on doing the repair from 1A Auto, they are working on a Ford, but its basically the same on any front wheel drive vehicle like the HHR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbNj4El7aak

#22 in the second diagram is actually riveted to the lower control arm, its what the knuckle pivots on when you steer.

River

Thanks again. Any idea what the torque spec on that is?

843de

44 ft lbs on the nuts.

River

Cool. I'll report back after done if this takes care of my rattling. Pretty sure it is, both ends have movement.

barfan1

If you are doing the tie rod ends, you may want to check the struts, strut mounts, sway bar links and bushings, and the rear lower control arm bushing as these all fail quite often on the HHR. The factory tie rod ends and ball joints are both pretty good so you're rattle may not be the tie rods.

843de

Good point barfan1, it always pays to inspect every component you can think of while you're under there/have it apart.