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Hi all. Recently got a 2008 HHR from a friend i help out with his super gas drag cars. gave it to me, fleet vehicle. Suspension is whipped. 213k on it. I have bought strut assys, sway bar end links, aluminum a arms, rear coils and shocks, axle assys. still need wheel hubs and steering end links. doing the oil seals on the trans when i do the axles. i have never driven a sloppier handline car in my life. knocks, bangs, vibrates like my discs are warped on hard braking and the brakes are new. Trans has been swapped for a used one with 40k on it.
replaced the front headlights and fogs with LEDs. replaced the trans pan, filter and oil. somebody thought it was a good place to jack up the car and caved in the pan. that trans oil level weep hole procedure is silly. when did mfgs go away from trans dipsticks? Did the serp belt too.
Still working on the Chevelle as well. its front end is horrible. itll need all new stuff too.
Why would you need a trans dipstick? Where would ATF go? You would certainly notice puddles on the ground.
Most of the funky braking is from worn out LCA bushings and un adjusted rear drums, the self adjusters don't work.
Ill check out those suggestions. Grabbed sb bushings rear shocks and wheel hubs yesterday. 4 days of nice weather coming up. Hoping to knock out most of the labor.
That's quite a gift! The panels sell at a significant premium around here.
You will be stunned by the difference once you get the neglected suspension squared away. These cars handle very well.
Be VERY careful when removing the lower control arms. The rear bolt goes into cage nut that likes to spin in its cage. May need lots of penetrant and time. Much written here about fixing the consequence of a spun cage nut.
Don't use the cheap generic shocks. KYB is very good, Monroe OESectrum acceptable, the rest varying degrees of junk. Just my opinion.
Change the oil often. Clean the MAF sensor and throttle body (but don't touch the butterfly!) Use the correct CRC sprays per directions.
Use ACDelco 41-103 plugs. No substitutes. No "better." No "just as good." No "these guys make them for ACDelco."
to the forums! 
