As you know, I changed my struts about two weeks. Now, every time that I turn my steering wheel, I can hear a noise coming from the springs. Is a noise like a slight bang/screeching. Also, If I touch the spring everytime that a turn is being made, I can feel it. My questions are:

- The springs have a specific position to be seated on the struts?
- In case that these were not seated properly, is safe to drive in this way?

 

Yes there is a specific position for the springs, and they do have a "top" and a "bottom", it sounds like they might have not indexed the springs to the lower spring perches on the struts....or they are upside down.

You can drive it that way for a few days while you wait to get the struts removed and the springs oriented properly, but don't wait too long as you can break a spring or damage the vehicle.

Unfortunately the struts will have to come out again so the springs can be compressed and reoriented or flipped the right way around, obviously this is a mistake on the part of the mechanics so you shouldn't have to pay anything.

 

I hate that these kind of things happen to me . Another reason why I rather to be my own mechanic. Well, I´ll bring it to the shop again to fix this. BTW, there are marks on the components that show the correct index?

 

No marks to speak of Juan, but the proper relationship between the parts is obvious once you see the strut properly assembled. I've attached a photo of a properly assembled strut for your reference.

If you're allowed access to your HHR while they try again, check the spring positioning yourself, the springs only fit one way when installed properly. Please use caution if you do handle the springs while compressed, in the event of a failure of the spring compressor, you can be seriously injured or even killed.

In the photo, the top of the strut is to the left, just so you know. Hope this helps.

Buena suerte mi amigo.

 

I´ll check it Mike.

Gracias por compartir la foto amigo!

 

Juan, I'll just add.....the smaller "curled" end goes to the top.

I THINK if you do the reverse, they will eventually bypass the retainer at the top and cause damage.

 

Well, I checked the springs, and nothing looks diferent. Actually looks like the picture that Mike showed. But the old hinge noise on the springs gave me a clue. I just add a lot of silicon lubrican on the top and bottom of the spring, and, lets say that the volume of the springs were reduced about 75%. Is an improvement, but the noise still there. I Remember that the guy who changed my struts didn´t grease the strut bearings. Then, the strut bearings would recreate this noise if aren´t greased?

Weird

 

I'm glad you found the springs to be oriented properly, and the rubber isolators at the top and bottom of the springs could very well be dried out enough to give you that creaking groan you've been hearing.

The new upper strut mounts should have come already packed with grease from the factory, and its rare that they would dry out in storage. All that being said, it is possible to repack them with a good quality grease like Redline CV-2 or an equivalent. But in order to do that the struts will have to be removed, the springs compressed, and the top plates undone...its a pain in the butt.

One thing you can also do when you're under your HHR with the silicone lubricant is to do the control arm bushings which are indicated by the arrows in the photo below. They might be dry or drying out enough to contribute to the groaning and creaking that you're having.

 

Thanks to share your wisdom with me Mike. I did it, and the noise still there . But, lets say, if the guy aplied more torque on the top nut, could this lead to create a noise? When I added the silicon lubricant, I added to on the top strut mount, on the hole where is the nut. I Noticed that the lubricant didn´t go out easily on the bottom where the nut seats.

 

Well if the mechanic went a bit "goofy" and absolutely hammered on the top nut with an air wrench, the strut mount could be distorted enough to make it noisy, I've never seen it happen....but anything is possible.

One other thing to check if you already haven't is the ball joint, jack up your HHR and grasp the wheel at the 12 o' clock and 6 o' clock positions, then alternately jerk on the top and bottom of the wheel. You're looking for any play and looseness, also listen for the noise you've been describing. Bad ball joints make more of a rattling clunky noise, but if they're dry due to a ripped dust boot, they can creak and groan too.

One important note...make sure the vehicle is properly supported and blocked with the handbrake applied before checking the ball joints. Its easy to drop a vehicle in your lap by jerking on it if its not adequately secured from unintentional movement.