jojothetattooboy

I just noticed we have the same plate!

firemangeorge

Cool!

Glad it worked out for you finding that axle. I was doubting that anyone would even admit having a "rare spare". Then finding someone like 2005HHRauto to sell you one, well, didn't think that would happen. Very generous of him.
You might want to get some lottery tickets. You've got some good luck going for you right now.

Hmm. Is that a chrome beauty bar I see ?

2005HHRauto

It was for a good cause...
Our automatic stock units are always being pre-loaded, (because automatic),
which means long, long life from these...
Plus, our stock CV axle assemblys are so strong, that I really don't see breaking one...
After 100's of passes at the track, with half of them on slicks, my stock units
are A-ok...
And with Bretts great efforts, we'll always be able to purchase even stronger units
if & when the stock units do fail...

Couldn't resist, couldn't resist, couldn't resist....
I just bought it...
Thanks again Brett...
Guaranteed delivery: Tuesday, Nov 28, 2017
GM CHEVROLET 2007 2008 2009 2010 HHR BLACK CHROME LIFT GATE HANDLE 25882059
Item price $87.96
Quantity 1
Item number 272808211367
Shipping service USPS First Class Package

List price is $266 for these now...
https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.c.../25882059.html

whopper

Hey guys - it's kinda late here, and I've gotten myself a little lost in the thread here. But I've been following this thread from time to time, and am very impressed with the work put into the efforts by all involved in sourcing replacement CV axles for the SSs.

Once it is all settled in getting the details on whatever the final solution is for these axles, I'd appreciate an update and I'll do an addition to the PARTS thread for the axles so we get it recorded in with the other parts.

Once again - guys, that is a great job - I am totally impressed with the co-operation and work involved. Congrats all round.

And FMG - you are right, that dark chrome liftgate handle isn't your color - pink would work however.

jojothetattooboy

My original axle failed on the driver side inner. I'm new to front wheel drive performance vehicles and have done quite a bit of reading on CV axles to educate myself since this problem occurred with mine. I learned it's rare for the inner to fail before the outer. My panel has had a very easy 120k miles. This all began with a hub bearing that started making noise after a 700-800 mile trip. After changing the hubs, during hard acceleration the car would "shudder." I typically drive the car more aggressively to road test after parts replacement but can't remember the last time I put the pedal down before that. My CV axle problem could have been there for several months. I went through the hassle of trying to find a new axle with no luck and ended up finding a used set with lower mileage out of a HHR SS that wasn't wrecked. I swapped the drivers side axle first since thats where it felt like the "shudder" was coming from....problem went away.

I also learned premature CV axle failure can be caused by worn suspension parts. Yesterday, I ended up changing out my my front struts and lower A arm assemblies. The drivers side rear lower arm bushing was pretty rough. The bolt was even seized to the inner metal spacer of the bushing itself. This could have helped contribute to my CV axle failing also. I also plan to change out the engine mounts, as a precautionary, when I change my timing and balance chains at 150K.

donbrew

When you got new LCAs you were aware that the SS ball joints are different? Same story as axles, the books say "fits all".


The stud on the ball joint is larger, if it was easy to put into the knuckle you probably got the wrong part.

firemangeorge

X2
Please make sure you have the correct LCA's. We've had several discussion threads on this site about them. Many vendors listing a "fits all" part # (wrong)
SS LCA's are unique because of the larger ball joint stub.
Also, true HHR LCA's will be aluminum. Some vendors try to list the stamped steel ones as a replacement.

jojothetattooboy

Thanks! I checked out some of the threads and noticed this difference and ended up ordering through a GM Dealer. Tom at www.crateenginedepot.com is a Chevrolet Performance Parts & Accessories Specialist. He is familiar with the SS HHR and Turbo Cobalt differences compared to the other models in the lineup. Some of the GM online parts catalogs even have a wrong part number listed for one of the lower arms for the SS HHR. I ended up going with the FE5 strut and shock package minus the springs and both new L & R FE5 lowers. The pre assembled strut/spring package they offer would have been nice, but would have lowered the car. I also learned there are two versions of the FE5 front springs...manual trans version and automatic trans version. Guess what? The auto FE5 springs are no longer available! Good thing mine are in decent condition....

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jojothetattooboy

The arms are new from GM...I even double checked the ball joint stub with some calipers to be on the safe side! Hopefully someone will produce an aftermarket ball joint in the future!

donbrew

I corresponded with the guy at MOOG about the ball joints; he said they don't list them. And they don't have a tech spec sheet for parts anymore.

GM lists some wrong parts for the SS.


And it turns out that there are at least 2 different Cobalt FE5, the turbo FE5 is not the same as SC FE5.