I want to rebuild the complete front end

 

I use KYB and Mevotech TTX wheel hubs, other tie rod ends , ball joints.

 

Whatever brand your grandfather swore by.
Brand names don't mean much anymore, most of the "old standby" brands like Moog just print boxes for Chinese/Indian/Pakistan parts. All of the mergers and take overs in the last 20-30 years have made it much cheaper to contract stuff from China than to make them in the USA. Especially now that the HHR and its platform has not been made for 13 years.
I just look for EZ returns and how many times can I replace a cheap part before it costs more than the expensive part. Other swear that the more you pay the better the quality, even if they are identical. Some swear that "grandad always got" means something, even though that company isn't in the manufacturing business anymore.

 

which tie rods and ball joints? Thanks in advance

 

Typo, outer not other tie rod ends

 

How many miles have you gotten so far out of your Mevotech hubs?

 

6,000 miles so far. I got 20,100 out of the PowerStop hubs , before that.

 

Had problems with the inexpensive knock-off LCA's wre out a brand new set of tires in 3,000 miles and couldn't be aligned until I changed to Moog's Ended up spending more to fix than if I went with Moog to begin with.

 

As always, it depends.

KYB for very good dampeners at a reasonable price. Only expensive performance brands are better. Maybe. For my LS, I am very happy with my KYB “Struts Plus” loaded strut assemblies. Significantly firmer ride than the LS stock FE1 “soft ride.”

For the rest of it, Mevotech has a “Supreme” line. I think they’re going after void Moog left.

For LCA rear bushings, I like the Moog solid version - basically a ball joint. OTTP has a similar one that costs more.

 

Any recommendation'sfor a shop to lower the HHR here in the Pacific NW?