Hello all. I'm brand new to this HHR thing. It's actually my fathers car. 09 HHR LS. 2.2L (I'm guessing that's the norm).

So one day we were driving along and the front end starts shaking violently when the brakes are applied. Obviously warped rotors. It got so bad on that one trip that we had to change the pads and rotors for brand new ones right there in the Advance Auto parking lot.

So that solved the problem.... but now fast forward a few weeks. Hit the brakes and there is a grinding noise from what seems like the right front.

Now, these pads/rotors are brand spanking new, but I still removed and inspected them. They look pristine, and so does everything else around that area.

I see no leaks, no evidence of anything where it shouldn't be, and I've checked everything I know to check. Still.... there's a persistent grinding when the brake pedal is pressed.

I've searched the forums, Googled, I even looked for recall info. Nothing!

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Hubs, probably was the original shimmy too.

 

X2 on the hubs, HHR's are known for having less than durable hubs.

Here's a "How To" on changing them out, just click on the link below...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-38946/

P.S. aboard!

 

Welcome to the site, X3 on the hubs! And double check those rear brakes the drum type have to have the shoes adjusted every 5,000 miles or so !

 

"I've searched the forums, Googled, I even looked for recall info. Nothing!"


Real strange; I typed "grinding noise" into the SEARCH box and got 10 PAGES of results, most of the first page related to hubs.

 

Yeah those are google results, not forum topics.

Alright well I'll check the hubs again but they both seem rock solid.

 

They can seem "solid" but still be failing internally. You could get your hands on a dial indicator and check for excessive runout, but pay attention to the noise as you drive.

If it increases and decreases in intensity with speed, or if the noise increases as you "load" a corner of the vehicle in a turn, then you're almost certainly dealing with a bad hub.