2008 HHR SS. Don't know if the car was ever in an accident before I bought it but lately the right front of the nose piece like to separate from the fender. Is it possible there' a broken panel in the wheel well or just a loose mounting bolt? Doesn't seem to affect anything but just looks bad. I can easily push it back in but it doesn't take much driving to pop it back out

 

There's 2 little black clips behind there that hold the front clip in place. Being that they're plastic, one or both may be broken.
I used to have a picture of them but can't seem to find it. Sorry.

 

That's the whole front bumper cover assembly. You can see how it clips in place in this video (@ about 3:00). The clips might have been damaged in a previous disassembly. Since it's not clipped in good anyway, you may want to take it apart and investigate.

How to Install Replace Headlight Chevy HHR 06-10 1AAuto.com | 1A Auto

 

It's either the clips OR the bumper cover itself, probably both. My wife's SS bumper has been off so many times the "holes" the tabs lock into have cracked. One of the tabs had broken off as well. I took the tabs off (it's a plastic bit bolted to the fender) and carefully clamped and jb welded them back together. Same for the bumper cover.

An alternative would be something like a quick release bumper latch. I saw one here, I'll look again. The trouble with that is it's external and riveted to the bumper and fender.

 

A member, Lunchbox, has quick release latches on his front bumper.

Here is a thread that he talks about them in...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/plas...d-51104/page6/

Page 6, post # 51

 

This thread has some good pics that should help you:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...dlights-17720/

 

So, if I understand correctly, if the clip(s) is/are broken there's not much alternative other than replacing the fender and/or the nose piece - depending on what is broken?

 

The clips are on the body and replaceable. The holes on the front fascia(nose piece) hook onto those clips.
If the holes on your's are broken out, you may be able to attempt some type of repair. Would just depend on how much they broke off.

 

Thanks guys. Looks like the facia tabs are broken along with the fender liner. $818 for new parts, paint and labor. Have a few other dings in the lower facia so might as well get it all done at once.