Looking for parts advice to upgrade my suspension (2008 LT 2.2L fe1). I'm no longer completely broke, but I still have to watch my pennies. I have replaced control arms twice, stabilizer bars once, front and rear struts once, all with the cheapest offerings on eBay. I suspect the cheap control arms are causing the control arm bushings to wear out faster, but that's only a guess based on their rusty stiffness.
I have recently noticed grease squeezing out of the tie rod end on the driver side, so I guess that will also need replacing. I will likely be doing it all myself and then paying for an alignment. I also have a 20 ton shop press, should I try replacing the rear control arm bushings instead of the whole control arms?
Any recommendations for better brands/websites where I can get all the parts I need for less than the cost of buying another used HHR?
(I already have a ZZP rear sway bar, excellent addition)
Thanks for any tips/guidance.

 

Moog makes a "Problem Solver" LCA bushing that is known to be better.
It is difficult to find FE1 parts FE3 are interchangeable and better.
15 years out of production you are pretty much doomed to "cheap Chinese" parts. GM is no longer obligated and the numbers are low.

 

I’ve used KYB struts and shocks , swaybar end links Moog K750012, are greasable, if you installed stamped steel LCA’s, replace them with aluminium from Moog . The problem solver rear bushing K201285 are awesome, they last longer then any rubber or polyurethane bushings. We still get a discount from RockAuto, they’ve been good to real with, I just had a warranty issue and they paid shipping and duty to have me return the part from here in Canada.

 

I noticed before that they seemed interchangable, I don't remember if I used FE3 parts in my last parts change. BE Have you pressed a Problem Solver bushing into an aluminum control arm? I'm worried about bending the arm.

 

Thanks for the parts suggestions, I went to the Moog website to see what they offer, but I'll also be checking RockAuto. I do have aluminum control arms. Have you pressed the Problem Solver bushing into an aluminum control arm? I'm concerned with bending the arm by not doing it right. I see there's a couple of YouTube videos about it, but personal experience is helpful.

 

Try to bend 1 inch thick cast aluminum.
The correct way to "press" them is with a all thread and cup thing,
There are a lot of versions, usually your local parts store loans them.
This is the most basic:

 

I use a ball joint press and have used the threaded rod and cups, you won’t bend the aluminium arm. If you have a used brake rotor, a nice anvil to drive the old bushings out with a socket.
Drive the bushings upwards and with the stamped letters up, the new bushings are pressed downward

 

Thanks, this is extremely helpful. I think I already scrapped my old rotors, but my current set has some slight warping, so I'll probably be replacing those as well and can use them on the press. Now I have to check my local stores for the allthread/cup thing.

 

I use the old rotor to pound the old bushings out.

 

The presses at the store are usually ball joint presses that use a big C-clamp instead of all thread. 2 lb short sledge and a socket will work.