Yay I get to spend around $700 to fix it! left sway bar is worn and the right strut had a leak and there's nothing left in it. I told them to replace the left and right sway bars and struts since the ones that don't have a problem are the same age.

 

Isn't there a TSB on this issue? My 09 just started clunking, and I know its the stabilizer links. Same thing happened to my 06.

 

Tsb?

 

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin. It's basically a list all dealers keep of problems that pop up on all model lines (example: Toyota's sticking gas pedal problem!). Some are bad enough to warrant recalls of some vehicle models.

Later
Allex

 

Define left and right sway bar? The front sway bar is one piece, with two bushings, that mounts to the struts, with two sway bar end links.
I myself have been chasing a weird clunking, rattle, that sometimes buzzes, over course pavement at low speed. I have checked everything I could get my hands on, replaced sway bar end links with Moog end links, and the dealer tighted up everything from the firewall forward, and noise still there.
Since I have Pedders springs installed, dealer is a little hesitance to start replacing parts, up to this point, so I will start replacing parts, one at a time, until I find it. First up sway bar bushings, then struts[including every part new, except the Pedders springs].
So far the end links did'nt stop the racket. I'm rigging up a stescope setup, to hook up to parts, to see if I can pinpoint the problem. Smooth roads no problem, but course roads, even at low speeds, when you can get suspension to move up and down slightly, it gets noisy.
After I find this bugger, I'm gonna add sound deafing to everthing I can get my hands on.
After readings all the complaints from different sites, the HHR noise problems seems to be: End links-sway bar bushings-sometimes struts-intermediate shaft-steering column. One of the above almost has to be the problem. "Moon"

 

Dont forget to check the control arm bushings.

 

Wow I wish someone could isolate this issue. I have only had my 2006 for two weeks and the dreaded clunk is driving me crazy. Warm dry weather = No Noise Wet cool weather = annoying clunk. I have never seen a suspension issue affected by the weather. I am just baffled.