After multiple visits to the dealership regarding a front end rattle on my fiance's 2006 HHR 2LT, we have finally found a mechanic who was able to resolve the problem.

Her HHR was looked at 3 times at local GM service departments while her HHR was under warranty. The GM mechanics tried front end alignments, replacing the bushings on the front stabilizer bars each time and the noise kept coming back. It seemed to be worse in the cold winter months. Almost sounded like a tin can rattle from under the front end.

Well, now her warrenty has expired and her father in Union, MO had a small town mechanic friend of the family who wanted to look at her HHR to see if he could diagnosis the rattle.

He said it was a defective GM axel on the front end.

I thought he was nuts and that the GM service dept. would have noticed something that drastic.

He ordered her a replacement used axel and installed it (parts and labor) for $100.00.

The front end rattle issue is FINALLY resolved!!! Her HHR is as quiet as can be. Sounds like a new HHR off the assembly line.

 

great for you. im in the process of getting all the rattles as well .trive me nutc

 

I have this problem on my car and lately it has gotten worse and has been driving me insane. Did your mechanic say what was specifically wrong with the axle? out of balance? bad CV joint ect?

 

somebody correct me if I am wrong but aren't the axles covered under the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?

 

Maybe....but this is an 06'.....36,000/36 month.

 

You are correct Snoopy... her HHR is a 2006 like mine and they only came with a 36 months or 36,000 miles warranty... It is outta warranty (even though the dealerships have looked at her HHR front end numerous times while under warranty and could not come up with a solution).

Since my fiance and her dad were dealing with their mechanic, I never found out what was actually wrong with the axel. All I know is, it was a used axel off a newer HHR that was totalled from behind that replaced her defective one from 2006 and it is amzing how quiet it is now. Huge difference after hearing that front end rattle on and off for 3 years.

If I find out from the guy what was defective with it, I'll post it here. I only know his name is Jerry and is a friend of my fiance's dad and has a rural repair shop in Union, MO.