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New to HHR...so here goes..2007 with 5 sp manual...116 k . Bought it with 115k after 2011 with 221 k got totaled..it was an automatic.after putting 800 miles on the 2007 a clunking noise started at all speeds when you let off the gas. I can reduce the noise by applying gas. Turning does not affect it.With it jacked up there isn’t any play in the wheels .The drive shafts are firm and there isn’t any wear or rubbing marks.Underneath is completely dry... all boots look good.While laying underneath and moving the drive shaft I do hear some noise from the transmission but unsure if it’s backlash noise. Thank you
As FMG says upper engine mount
LCA, rear bushings are also suspect.
then the flex pipe could be failing, as a result of the upper engine mount failure
The bolt for the serpentine belt tensioner should be in the middle of the slotted hole inside the passenger side front wheel well. If it’s low in the hole, the engine mount is toast!
I had a 2011 HHR automatic with 221k with no drive train noise...totaled by hit and run.... if you’re referring to the flex pipe as an exhaust pipe then I just did have to have it repaired... so I will check out the mounts....thank you for the quick response... I have over 50 years working on cars...trucks and boats but not much front wheel drive
I thought that since I had a exhaust noise right after the noises started that the tensioner bolt location suggestion was going to be it but it’s centered.... all the mounts appear good.. no noticeable cracks or deterioration... I guess I’ll have to get it to the local garage for them to check the mounts better on a lift... thanks for the replies
I couldn’t see any noticeable problems under the car. Pulled right front wheel today... saw light rubbing marks on the inside of the rim and some shiny little marks on the shock assy... took off the caliper and bracket and disc . The cv boot looks fine with no tears or leakage. The rub marks would normally lead mean to me look for a bad bearing on a rwd or say a boat trailer but I can’t get the hub to rock at all. It may be that the “ hub” is stationary and if there’s a u- joint in the cv then it’s going bad, even if the boot is good. The noise sounds like a u- joint as you can take the noise out by tightening up the axel with a little acceleration and letting off the gas the noise returns.
Thanks for letting me ramble on. I realize that it’s the big holiday so I don’t expect any advice soon.
That noise can be the hub more likely then the cv axle. The bearings are ball bearings not roller bearings, they don’t take much to wear out, a good pot hole can kill a hub easily!
a hint, replace both, you can buy them in pairs in EBay , check to confirm if your HHR has ABS on not.
Wow,thanks for the speedy reply...I’ll do some searching on the web for diagrams on that drive train . While working on it today I noticed that the tires seem to be really close to the shock assy. The guy I got it from bought it for his office staff to run errands.He had it cleaned up, serviced and new tires... 225-50 r17. But they didn’t like the 5 speed. We had over 40k on a 2011 HHR (221k) when my wife got rear ended by a hit and run and it was totaled.She loved the HHR and wanted another . I ‘m old school (just old) and still drive a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.Anyway, does anyone know if a 50 is too wide?
thanks again sir, for the reply
to the forums!