Its the Links.

 

Had the sway bar links, rotors, pads and drivers side strut mount changed. I still have the clunk!! Chevy cant pin the problem down. They are saying transmission mounts, now. I am currently talking to Chevy corp. to get them to solve this. I am not going to dish out cash to chase a ghost!!

 

For me it's been like this. Bought the car new, 2 years 20K+ miles, in five times for suspension/steering noises, several parts replaced under warranty and - I'm left with same f-----g noise that started three months after I bought the car. The dealer "can't find or hear" the problem. It drives me crazy. Frankly, I don't know anymore where it's coming from, but it is very distinct to my ears and it makes the car feel cheap over your average Chicagoland roads. I don't know what to do at this point, but I'm not giving up yet!

 

This probably is not the answer for most of your noises, but I took off my hub caps and away went the noises when going over bumps.

 

I have had that "clunk" noise ever since I bought my HHR brand new in January 2006. Nothing has ever fallen off the car, nor has it failed to perform. I eventually came to accept it as one of those first year model quirky things that I have learned to live with.

The only thing that was replaced was the steering column, but that was for another noise that must have been particular to the 2006's.(squealing noise) I havent seen that problem again on the forums in a few years so maybe GM fixed that on the newer models.

 

struts sometimes can make a clunking sound internally so there would not be anything loose.

 

On mine they've replaced one front strut, the entire steeering column, the turn signal stalk, the front sway bar links and did some tsb with the strut mounts - all to no avail. It's shame that these common issures are characteristic to the HHR. I love the car otherwise.

 

My Lumina has that issue with the hubcaps....odd....but true.

For the HHR though, I have alloy wheels, so that isn't the problem there.

 

great information here

 

UPDATE: chevy corp was no help. Transmission mount replaced ($150) and the clunk is still there. Going to focus on struts next. This blows.