Eyeballs on bushings are a diagnostic tool.

 

does that look like too big of a strut cover to anyone else or is that the correct size?
It does have plenty of room for it in between the existing coils, I guess.

 

Yeah, I think you've got the correct parts looked up. And that appears to be a great price for the mount AND bearing. I've seen the bearings for that much alone.
That boot will fit inside the springs. Lots of room in between the spring coils.
Like this:

 

thank you very much, i'm going to go ahead and order the parts then, thank you everyone for your help, i'll keep you guys posted when its all done. :)

 

I also got a used one - for $80. Check with Cobalt owners, too. There are more of them, and the bar will fit an HHR. It worked for me...

 

The boot only keeps dust off the shaft it can't leak and is not particularly vital to operation.

 

The boots keep corrosive salt and gritty road grime off of the piston shaft, you could get away without them in a friendly climate like the one San Diego has. But in snow country, or if you drive in dirty/dusty conditions, they do extend the life of the struts.

A badly corroded or pitted piston shaft going through the packing gland on the strut cartridge in a "full travel" situation, will damage the seal and hey presto...a leaking strut.

So I'd recommend new boots, for maximum longevity.

 

Sorry, it wasn't the boot that was leaking it was the lower end of the shock.
And thank you, I ordered everything including the boots.

 

Well i got all the parts in and have two questions...
How is the bearing supposed to be installed white side up or down?
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and...
where does the supplied washer go???
before or after the strut mount?
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