Maintenance and Upkeep Discussion HHR maintenance tips ranging from oil change intervals to brake pads and everything in between.

2008 HHR 1LT Stuck Hub

Old May 7, 2025 | 01:20 PM
  #1  
black_03_dakota's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 05-07-2025
Posts: 43
2008 HHR 1LT Stuck Hub

Hello. I came here seeking some advice. I'm just wondering of a good hub (wheel bearing) remover for these cars? I tried searching here but, didn't come up with much here. Problem I'm facing now is the hub is seized in the knuckle and I'm anticipating the passenger side will be the same.

Having already been soaking in PB Blaster for a day now and tried applying some heat with a propane torch. Since, I'm already replacing the rotors I tried to even hitting the hub with a rotor with no progress thus far. The bolts are out of the wheel bearing and the axle nut/washer is off and moves freely. I don't have any access to air tools and so, I'm thinking my last options are to use 1) Use a hub remover and some Kroil this time with more heat, 2) Remove the knuckle and try to beat the bearing out, or 3) Buy a new knuckle or good used knuckle from a Western Car?

Also, one more question does anyone here have the part number for 2008 HHR 1LT with no ABS for both steering knuckles? I'm assuming the knuckles are the same for a car with NO ABS as a car with ABS? Also, just wondering if earlier or later years would no problem interchanging in a worse case? I also, saw some Dorman brand ones but, don't know if they are in stock? Then I also some cars as the Pontiac G5, Cobalt, and Saturn Ion stating the knuckles interchange with an HHR via eBay? Thank you in advance.

BTW, I currently reside in Indiana aka (Rust Belt). Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


Old May 7, 2025 | 03:07 PM
  #2  
donbrew's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,543
From: Fredericksburg,VA
All of those cars use the same suspension (except if they have turbo/super charger RS, TC,SS etc).
The only solution is more cowbells.
Mine just fell off but I have heard of the problem; Some have removed the knuckle and taken to a hydraulic press. I think the problem is "unlike metal" corrosion.
Old May 7, 2025 | 03:12 PM
  #3  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
I suggest you remove the outer tie rod and the ball joint along with the strut and take the steering knuckle out so you have a clear shot at the hub to drive it out, a good size hammer is required for this job. There are tool to knuckle bust, but they put stress on the good parts!
Old May 7, 2025 | 03:16 PM
  #4  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Dorman has replacement knuckles


Then again so might your local pick a part yard All 2006 thru 2011 LS/LT models fit with or without ABS
Old May 7, 2025 | 10:11 PM
  #5  
black_03_dakota's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 05-07-2025
Posts: 43
Thank you both. So, one thing I think I will try to do is pull the knuckle off and see if I can get a better shot from the back. I just ordered a 4 pound sledge hammer and some Kroil which might work better than PB Blaster. I'll try to apply some heat from the back. In a worse case scenario, is there any advantage to using a Dorman Knuckle over the GM knuckle other than cost and warranty? Thank you all again.
Old May 8, 2025 | 07:43 AM
  #6  
PulpFriction's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-05-2014
Posts: 3,371
From: Northern Ohio
Someone did a test and the best penetrant was 50/50 ATF/acetone. Don’t remember the source.
Old May 8, 2025 | 07:52 AM
  #7  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
For the knuckles it’s more a matter of availability, parts are getting scarce as the last HHR rolled off the assembly line 14 years ago!
This was built in May 2011.
This was built in May 2011.
Old May 9, 2025 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
black_03_dakota's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 05-07-2025
Posts: 43
Hello again. Just wanted to say I got the driver's side hub finally off. Had to remove the knuckle. Propane torch and more PB Blaster along with hammering from the back finally got it off. Now, going to go do the passenger side and see how much hassle that will be. Again thank you to everyone here for all the information and help. We'll see what happens with the passenger. Thank you again. Take care.
Old May 9, 2025 | 11:26 AM
  #9  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
There are tools designed to bust the hub, with help from a sledgehammer, but I found them to be brutal on the ball joints and tie rod ends
Old May 10, 2025 | 06:58 AM
  #10  
geg's Avatar
geg
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-22-2010
Posts: 2,108
From: Russia Ekaterinburg
oh man, how many illnesses your car has...
it looks like the previous owner didn't love it, kept it in slavery and didn't care about its health - on his part, it's just criminal negligence.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:33 AM.