As I stated in the "second gear on manual" thread, I had an accident last week. I wanted to start a new thread and keep that one just for the second gear issue, which I still have to address.

The HHR was totaled, but I bought it back for the salvage value. Looks like no structural frame damage, just the drivers side front suspension was broken.

The control arm snapped in half, the axle shaft pulled out of the inner CV joint, and there is a crack in the knuckle. The strut may or may not be OK. The bottom of the tire caught on the curb as the HHR was pushed sideways, so the force was outward, not inward. The engine cradle and unibody look fine. The fender is smashed but they are pretty cheap in junkyards ($100). I am looking for one in SOM color already so it doesn't have to be painted.

I am looking at a replacement knuckle from a junkyard.

A local place has the knuckle for $75, or they can get in a "knee" for $120. The knee includes the knuckle, hub, control arm, and strut.

Rock Auto for control arm and hub is about $200.

Would you take a chance on a control arm removed from a vehicle that has been in some sort of crash already? If the whole knee worked, it would save a lot of money and time.

Thanks
Steve

 

Are you prepared to replace the bushings and ball joint? Parts are pretty cheap; about $40 for both, just drilling and pressing.

I wouldn't even consider a used hub or strut, but that's me. They might be good. The LCA itself should be fine as long as it is cast not steel. You would be able to see the bushings, probably worn out. I don't trust used ball joints.

Get rebuilt axle. Probably time for new struts anyway.

You might find LKQ (after-market) new fender cheaper than used.

 

I have new kyb struts in the HHR from a few years ago.

If I probably have to replace the bushings and ball joint anyways, its not worth the extra $45 to get the whole "knee".

These are the prices:

Steering Knuckle (junkyard)........$75
Control Arm (Rock Auto).............$92
Hub/Bearing/ABS (Rock Auto)......$96
Half Shaft (Rock Auto)................$52

Plus some assorted small parts.

The hub and the half shaft I priced above are name brands at Rock Auto.

If I go for the cheapest parts, the hub and half-shaft can be bought for half of that price at Rock Auto.

Donbrew, I think I read in the past that you have used low-cost hubs and had good luck with them. I might try the cheaper Rock Auto ones.

What is the opinion on the cheap half-shafts? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Thanks
Steve

 

Steve
Have you tried EBay? I've found parts just as good and much cheaper.

 

I have had mixed luck with the cheap hubs, but at half the price I still come out ahead. For that matter on eBay you can pay $5-$10 more for lifetime guarantee.

Get rebuilt axles. Count the number of folds on the boots, don't go less.

Rock Auto is not a vendor, they are like Amazon. You get what the vendor places with them, you could be buying from me for all you know.

 

Go with your gut feeling! You’ll feel better about it!

 

That's what I am going to do.

I found a steering knuckle (with a hub in it) for $50 at a local junkyard. The junkyard also has a fender for $55.

I am going to get the cheaper hub from Rock auto, because the hub fails slowly and you can usually take weeks before having to replace it.

I am going with the better half-shaft because a failed axle will strand you.

Steve