Here is a nasty one, I have been watching this HHR for a month and a half. It was down to $3995 but he just raised it back up to $4350. It has dents everywhere and 119k

 

Handle and or license plate are your best bet. I use the plate.

 

i use the handle, all it takes is a little momentum with the swing and it closes fine.

 

Works great for us. My wife's had these when we bought it, but the dealer fixed them for us, it was a demo.

I had a HHR rental once too, my wife drove it once, forgot to use the handle and with just one closing by the beauty bar, the dents were there. I was PO'd and sweated turning it in, thankfully they didn't notice them.

 

I had been closing mine by pushing on the bar or bowtie. Just luck that mine does not have the dents. I now pull it down using the indented handle, and if necessary push it closed on the license plate. The bar is such a natural place to put your hand when you close that tailgate, its disappointing that it is structurally so weak.

 

I have a question.....does the addition of the chrome "beauty bar" on the rear help strengthen the area. I don't push on it, but my car was used when I got it and it doesn't have the dents. Mine does have the chrome bar.

When I close mine, I use the hand-hold to pull it down to waist level, then use my finger tips on the lower portion of the outside of the gate to push it closed. The lower area is where the inside and outside join, so I figure it has to be strong there if anywhere. I never slam mine as I don't want to destroy the "innards" of the lift gate. God Bless, Marc

 

The chome bar is plastic just like the non chrome bar and will dent just the same. You were just lucky the first owner did it right.

Slamming it will not hurt it as there really is very little innards to destroy. The gate has only a few small parts for the latch and then the inter panel that is very secure. Slam away if you like as it will not hurt it unless you are pressing on the bar.

 

I'm glad that I found out about this now. I have been using the bowtie area as a handle. I haven't tweaked anything yet thankfully.

 

OK, first it sucks that your rental car company is such a lame POS that they would make a claim against you over something like this (complete scam IMHO). Secondly, I often close my tailgate by putting my hand on the bowtie, and I definitley do not have any dents.

 

So your saying these are like alien crop circles and they just appear over night? just kidding!

You must have a light touch. I did shut mine there for about 8 months till I got one on the passenger side. I was able to have it removed then moved my place I shut it to the plate.

To be honest too I often wonder also if pulling hard on the bar to lift it open also hurts it too. If you pull at the bottom it could twist and press on the top?