Hey Guys, been a long time since I've posted but still have the HHR as my daily driver. I had a CVA Stroke on my right side 2 years ago and have almost fully recovered. I am able to do brakes, minor repairs, just did my front sway bar end links and going to do my struts soon. My problem though is being able to maneuver under the car to do my front sway bar bushings. My regular shop is a little gun shy in doing them and are worried they will have to drop the engine cradle to get at them. I have seen it done in videos and of course some of you have done them as well. Because they are in a tight location and my right arm/hand don't let me work in awkward positions on my back (tried - good thing no one was videoing...) I was wondering if any of the Long Island NY HHR Guys know of a shop or even if they do it. I live in Hicksville in Nassau County. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I want to avoid the Chevy Dealership if possible because that possible cost may not be in the cards right now.

Thanking you all in advance,
Mike
(Don't know if it was right to post this here - but it seem to fit in)

 

Hello
glad your health is improving
I hope a short time will pass and you will be healthy as a bull and happy as a child
here is the video i found .. hope it will be useful
it looks like these bushings can be replaced through wheel arches.

 

Sad to hear of your health issues, but happy to see you are recovering, I have changed these bushings before, and it’s just that bolt through the sub frame that needs to be from underneath.
The 15 mm bolt heads can be reached from up top with 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive socket, a swivel and extensions to the ratchet, then the bushing is accessible from the side , remove the tires and they are behind the steering rack

 

True that the bolt for the LCA bushings are the same bolts that hold the cradle, but you do one side at a time. That leaves the other 3 bolts. Really easy work, sounds like they don't want the business.

The hard to get to sway bar bushing bolts can be made easier by partially dropping the cradle; loosen those same bolts and lower the back of the cradle a bit with a support under it if paranoid.

 

Welcome back BlackknighT.....

 

Engine cradle bolt / rear LCA bolt 21mm

 

Bolts from the top 15mm

 

Thanks for the feedback. Might try doing them with one of my Daughters friends. Just very frustrating that I just did rear shock and springs, end links, and in about a week doing Struts but I cant just yet roll around under the car on my own without looking like a fish flopping outta water and then falling in acid while on my back.... I am very lucky though that I got to about 90% back of my right side or so the Doc says. Counting my blessings because others have been less fortunate.

 

Its good to see some of the same names from years back. Means you all are well - - - - and the HHRs are still going!

 

Well got them done.Daughters friend did them in less than a hour. He is used to working in tight spaces and angles as he works on quite a few lowered sports cars and even built his own mini drifting pickup he takes to the track. He just followed the notes I got from you guys and the site, even down to the "lock type washers" holding to rear bolts in place from the factory. I used factory 25mm bushings. Cost more from the dealer but I know they were the right ones. Thank you all.

On to do the Struts. Had done Monroes All in Ones (Black Series 17#) about 45,000 miles ago but they are now creaking/squeaking awful bad. Already did control arms (300 miles ago), Moog grease-able End Links (put on myself), the Sway Bar Bushings (Friend installed), now the Struts I'll do the weekend after they get delivered. I have about 130,000 mile on her.