There's nothing quite like the sound of a new car door shutting. That nice firm clunk. I recently had to have some body work done on my 2LT which required replacing one of my rear doors (backed into in a parking lot). That door now has that nice new car sound when you shut it. Is there anything I can do do "freshen" up the other doors, lubricating locks or anything? In comparison they now sound like rattle traps. Not a big deal and I wouldn't have known the difference if I hadn't gotten a new door.

 

You can adjust the door sticker a small amount to remove some of the ware of the door seal. Here is a thread that talks about that

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/maintenance-upkeep-50/door-adjustment-good-thing-49400/

 

Check each body door strike to see if the non metallic material has failed where the door latch connects/locks upon closing.

You don't say how old your HHR is so the older the more wear. Especially the driver door.

Apply a little Door Ease to each strike as a lubricant.

Check for door adjustment by holding the door handle in the open position and close the door slowly while paying attention to whether it slightly hits the strike plate when it shouldn't indicating it could be slightly out of adjustment.

SF

 

I'll just add this thought......

Maybe the replacement door is not Original Equipment/GM part. Could be aftermarket, thus providing a different sound.

 

It is not normal practice to replace the entire door, the usually replace the skin and keep the skeleton.

 

Yeah, they reskinned the front passenger door, but it was cheaper for the shop to replace the rear with a salvaged door. It was squished pretty good.

I've got about 75000 miles on my '07. The driver door is, of course, the noisiest. Thanks for all the input.

 

You may think about replacing the door opening weather seal they do ware and become less pliable over time.