I took a tire iron and move the sway bar up and down quite a bite.
thanks

 

Time sure passes fast doesn't it? You think they only last a few months... You replaced them in Jan. 2012, then again at the end of 2012, and you thought they only lasted 6 months.

One more time in early 2015, but you didn't post when you replaced them the 4th time. Now it's late 2017.

Maybe they weren't even worn out, my 09 has 108,000 still on the originals. Have you replaced the end links lately? They often wear out sooner than the other components. Here's a link to help diagnose the front end noises https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...g-pop-s-50648/

Anyway, are you talking about replacing the sway bar itself? For VIN prior to 3GNDA23P26S546472 the bar is discontinued. For that VIN and after, you need GM P/N 15275280

TTR has a couple choices for new front sway bars Suspension - Turbo Tech Racing

 

Didn't some of the 06's come with the smaller 23mm swaybar ? Would be a shame if the OP's been replacing the bushings with the wrong size.

 

Oh boy, you may be on to something there. OP says his bar is the discontinued one, which is indeed the 23mm bar. We'll have to see if he comes back with his VIN.

EDIT: Looks like the FE3 may have the 25mm bar. All this info was laid out to OP back in Dec, 2014, when he was advised by donbrew to measure the bar.

 

If it was me I would be buying bushings by MEASURED size and not mentioning application, since you know the books are wrong.

 

4 sets of sway bar bushings? Definitely a record. Measure twice, install once is the rule.

 

my sway bar is part number GM # 15233085 but new ones not available. If I crossed it over right it takes 25 MM bushings. My suspension is FE3. can't find bushings except the red greasable ones which I have not had good luck with.

 

Just to be sure measure the swaybar and those red bushings are 1 inch not 25 mm

 

Where did you get that bar number? That seems to be the 1st design FE1 23mm bar. Are you sure you have FE3 suspension? You really need to measure the bar. But check your RPO sticker inside the glove box door and your VIN also. This could be an early car anomoly, would be good to document it.

 

That part number shows the bar is for the FE1 2006 HHR

https://www.mygmwholesaleparts.com/o...r-bar-15233085

Which we know to be 23mm

The bushing 20902785 shows it’s for the FE5 SS which is also known to be 23mm

https://www.gmpartsdepot.ca/p/Chevro.../20902785.html

So, you need to double check and measure the bar. I’m thinking you’re gonna find it to be 23mm in diameter. And that will resolve the bushing issues.