Mak22492

Hello, I am having some issues with my 2011 HHR. While driving it will start to shake and rattle and feels like the whole bottom of the car is falling out. The service ESC message comes on and the traction light comes on. I tried to but it on the lift tonight to see if it was a bearing since it also is making a noise when driving( may be road noise) but when I would go to put it in gear and give it gas, these messages flash and the brakes lock up. Logically to me that doesn't seem safe to have the brakes locking up. Thank you.

donbrew

You most likely have at least one bad hub

The way to check them is by end play for the purist .015 inch I think, maybe .005 inch. Anyway, tiny.

The other way is grasp the tire top and bottom then push-pull, if you can feel ANY movement it's bad. Probably to the "danger" point.

Mak22492

I did the wiggle test and it was tight. Is it normal for the brakes to lock up when the tires aren't getting traction.

firemangeorge

If you put it in gear while on a lift, the rear wheels don't turn. The traction control will (should) come on because the computer thinks the front wheels are slipping.
You need to turn off the TC/ESC to try this on a lift.

Will it lock the brakes ? Not sure but I would think so if the traction control was trying to stop the front wheel slippage it senses.

whopper

x2 - what they both said.

Mak22492

Ok, turned the traction off, put it in gear and it makes noise. It also flashes abs light and service ESC. I cant tell which side the noise is coming from, but it sounds like a plane powering up. Thanks

Oldblue

I'd consider changing both front hubs, if one has gone south the other is right along side it!! and most E-bay stores sell them in pairs like Prime Choice and A1Auto for example

2 NEW Premium Front Wheel HUB Bearing Assembly Pair SET FOR Left AND Right | eBay

whopper

I've diagnosed noisy wheel bearings/hubs/tires by driving next to those big concrete highway dividers with the front windows down - at least I could tell if it was on the drivers side or passengers side. It's worth a try - maybe it will work for you.

firemangeorge

Since you didn't say so, I guess turning the TC off allowed the front wheels to turn.

Ain't modern cars fun to work on with all their hi tech do-dads !!!

donbrew

BTW, running the car in gear with the front wheels hanging will make a CV joint noise, they are trying to break. It is a bad thing to do, you need to support the LCA s IF you do that.