Ok, thanks for the explanation.

 

Pretty sure the solid ones do have a top and bottom, I think the outside band might be tapered.

Oldblue has done it before, he's the authority.

 

The bushings have a rounded edge this will be the bottom, press it into the lca with the balljoint pin pointing up.

 

Okay, Thank you for your help.

 

Welcome!

 

I have a 2011 HHR, I paid a local mechanic $973.87 for both upper and lower control bars today. Is that a little ridiculous ?

 

Yes it doesn’t have upper control bars!

 

The GM flat rate book says
$202 each parts (that is a lot more than NAPA charges)
1.8 hours labor for both.
1.0 hour labor alignment

I don't know what an upper control arm is, maybe they meant strut

That would be about
$136 each for parts
1.8 hours labor for both

There should be a discount on the labor since it is mostly duplication. for both struts there would be an additional 6 nuts of work.

 

Is it left and right ? Both were changed.

 

The invoice says right right and left premium grade control arms with ball joints.