So, I purchased a 2007 HHR LS for my son a little over a year ago. Last weekend I replaced the shocks/struts on all four corners with KYB pieces. So far so good.

Next is Sway Bar and Lower Control Arm bushings.

So, two questions: Does anyone have a strong opinion either way as to whether Polyurethane Bushing are worth the effort. AND/OR, am I better just to replace the Lower Control Arm with a new unit (probably MOOG) that has new bushings already installed or go through the effort of removing them and replacing the old bushing with new Polyurethane Bushings. As far as I have found, Prothane is the only company even making them for the HHR/Cobalt.

Thanks in advance for any help or opinions.

 

For daily driving, I would use the normal rubber for the front sway bar bushings, OEM if possible, no grease. Be sure to get the correct size.

For the lower control arm rear bushing, the Moog "Problem Solver" is frequently recommended here. The original rubber style seems to have unpredictable, often very short life, probably due to generic part quality issues. The urethanes don't seem to last any longer and are said to squeak without regular greasing.

 

Why do you want Poly? Is your son going to drive it hard, like autocross?

 

Even so the Moog ball bushing is a much firmer feel then the poly or rubber bushings. I would recommend rebuilding your LCA’s provided they are aluminum and not stamped steel.

 

So is this what comes pre-installed in the MOOG Control Arms? It looks like I can get the whole control arm for about $100 on Amazon.
Yes, its the MOOG arm, not a cheap knock off.

 

No the Moog problem solver LCA’s do not include the problem solver bushings.

 

Moog is an expensive knock off. Moog prints pretty boxes for cheap Chinese parts, just like everyone else.
I would not trust polyurethane bushings to be the correct sizes, most are ASE not metric.

 

I’ve had the Moog K201285 bushings in my 2011 for 4 1/2 years and 50,000 miles they have given me a great firm ride. Nobody else sells anything like them, so ithey are the only choice for these style of bushings. Powell used to make aluminium versions of the bushings, but they didn’t like day to day driving, especially in the rust belt.