My 2009 SS outer tie rod ends are bad. GM websites and RockAuto show none available (i.e., discontinued). The GM number is 25956921. RockAuto doesn't even show an aftermarket option. What are folks using instead?

 

Appears to be the same issues as the ball joints, they list fits all aftermarket for FE1 and FE3 have to remove one and take into a parts palace to measure the taper and inside threads that go onto the inner tie rod

 

Did you GoOgle the part number? Summit Racing is the first result among 1,250 results.

 

But shows not in stock.

 

Thanks folks! I found my answer. RockAuto has them listed, after some HHR friends on Facebook helped me. The RockAuto page was playing tricks on me. When I searched "tie rod" for my saved HHR SS vehicle, it only showed tie rod boots. When I searched from the main parts catalog, instead of my saved vehicle, the tie rods showed up, including names like AC Delco and Moog. So I should be good to go now.

 

The 25956921 is now definitely obsolete, but some other GM part #'s show up, & I think that they won't work, just like the ball joint part# mixup crap.

But, Dorman products does make a special one just for us?
Why, I don't know as this is a very small market to make this part for us, & the 08-10 Cobalt SS with our LNF engine.
It's part #

TO91105PR

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-124...origin=keyword

 

Like the ball joints , we need an SS owner to take some simple measurements, like the size of the lock nut on the inner tie rod, the size of the nut on the outer tie rod stub , these should give us clues if they match or don’t match the LS/LT parts

 

I wonder if the Saab 9-5 parts might be a candidate?

 

This brings up another issue.
What if you need a steering rack?

Part# 25956914 is the correct rack for the HHR SS, & is not available anymore.

Part #'s 25956916 (FE1) & 25956915 (FE3) both show as being for the HHR SS now, but also the LS & LT models?

25956914 comes with the HHR SS outer tie rod 25842032
25956915 comes with the FE3 outer tie rod 15220347
25956916 comes with the FE1 outer tie rod 15220347 also

Does anyone know the differences between the 3 different steering gears?

Found this:
If you can believe it, the HHR SS's FE5 sport suspension was actually tuned on the famed Nurburgring in Germany where it posted a record lap time for its class of 8:43.52. While the vehicle's basic suspension components were never meant to tackle the Green Hell, performance-spec components like a 23mm stabilizer bar up front and 24mm bar in the rear, gas-charged twin-tube struts and unique electric power steering system prove that this is no SS wannabe.

https://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/...-chevy-hhr-ss/

 

Moot point as only the 915 rack is still available. As for tie rod ends, apparently the threads are 14 x 1.5 for the FE3 inner and outer. Now we just need to confirm the tapered stub is the same. I know on mine the nut is an 18mm wrench size.