Hello all, my wife and I just purchased a new to us HHR, like it so far. But it does need some maintenance already.

I discovered that the driver side CV boot has a tear in it, and has been flinging grease around. I figured I would just go ahead and replace it instead of bothering with a new boot.

I have replaced these in the past on some W-body GM vehicles and feel pretty comfortable, but I do have a few questions.


First question is this, I have noticed on many of the parts websites the line "Transfer Inner Stub Shaft From Original Axle to Replacement CV Axle" and that's an unfamiliar concept to me. Every shaft I have replaced, the stub remains in the transmission.

Second question is related to the first, I have read also that the above procedure only applies to the passenger side axle shaft, not the driver side, is this true? Would be nice if I didn't have to fool with it this time around, but it would be great to know how and what to do if I replace the passenger side in the future.

Third question is this, can you loosen the knuckle from the strut to gain clearance to pull the axle shaft out of the hub? Instead of doing the ball joint method? I find it easier to do it that way, just didn't know if it was an option on the HHR.


Any other tips or advice would be great, thanks in advance, looks like a great forum here.

 

Yes passenger side only. The axles are the same L/R, but the transmission is shorter on the R. You need a tool to separate the stub, like a bearing breaker, be careful not to break the plastic parts.

You cannot easily get the axle through the knuckle, so release it any way you like. An alignment does not need to be done at any time unless you mess with the TOE, i.e.: the tie rod ends. It is only 1 bolt holding the ball joint, 2 force fit bolts holding the strut; I say ball joint is easier unless you are doing strut replacement at the same time. \\

You should inspect the rear Lower Control Arm bushings while you are in there; they wear out. Use the SEARCH for lots of info about "LCA bushings".

 

Thanks for the reply, helped me get the confidence to tackle it in the near future. Thanks for the tip on the LCAs, according to the safety inspection that came with the car, it was failed initially for bad bushings there, then fixed. Kind of looks like they might have just put whole new control arms in, since both of my ball joints have grease zerks. which isn't standard equipment unless GM has changed things.

Thanks again, hope I don't have to post many threads like this, really liking this car more and more, except for the ricer exhaust the previous owner put on it. Sounds awful and hurts my ears sometimes haha.

 

Welcome to the site.

Ricer exhaust huh. Sounds like the previous owner put on a "fart" can muffler or maybe even did a muffler delete. Either one can give it that dreaded highway drone sound that's tough on the ears.

 

Well, the complete LCAs I have seen DO NOT have zerks on the ball joints. Replacement ball joints have bolts instead of rivets holding them to the arms.

BTW, the length of the axle comments I made are for LT Automatic Trans. If you got something else disregard what I said. I know that the standard trans have a Left and a Right axle, don't know about SS autos.

Oh, welcome and check your PM for a special gift.

 

Hmm maybe someone just replaced the ball joints then....hard to say. But yes, I have an LT 2.2 with auto trans, so what you said should apply just fine.


Probably a little off topic, but as for the exhaust, it has a Y-pipe just after the rear axle, then a separate muffler just in front of each tip (I have dual outlets). Theyre small, round mufflers about a foot long, and 4 inches in diameter maybe...not Folgers cans by any means, but they certainly don't cancel out much noise. Looks nice though, and nothing nasty looking hanging down under the car....just loud, way too loud.

 

That is a custom setup!
Take it off and get a stock exhaust. You could probably sell the dual setup.