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Problems/Service/RepairsIf you have a problem with your HHR, want a tip on repairing or performing a particular service to you HHR here is the place to post!
Looking at replacing Wheel Hubs & CV Axles 2010 HHR LS automatic. Not looking to put a fortune into this car, so GM Genuine / AC Delco is mostly out, though I will probably get an AC Delco battery for it in the coming months. What are some of the best aftermarket brands I should look into for these parts??? Over at RockAuto, I'm seeing too many options for front hubs, and not enough options for CV axles..... When I first got my LT (which is currently sitting with shattered Transmission housing), the seemingly 'go-to' brand was Moog if you were looking to go with aftermarket parts. But now that they are owned by an investment group.... I'm now wondering who might still be making good quality automotive parts for the HHR?
One brand I've been seeing come up a lot online is "Detroit Axle", & a Google search shows that they are a family owned business out of Detroit Michigan started around 1990. HOWEVER, while they do remanufacture products in Detroit, it does appear that many of their New Parts are from China. That said, they do still have a lot of parts for HHR, almost everything I've looked at offers a 10 year warranty, with their remanufactured products having a "lifetime" warranty. They have single piece, multi-piece, & whole kits. i.e. they have a pair of front CV Axles for $170 (new/10yr warranty) on Amazon or individually (remanufactured/"lifetime" warranty) for $60 driver side, $80 passenger side, but also kits like this 10-piece kit with struts, LCA's, tie rods, sway bars or this 8-piece Suspension kit with struts, CV Axles, Wheel Hubs, tie rods. In terms of pricing and warranty, they look good,but doesanyone have any real experience with their parts???
With ALL of that in mind, they are one brand that I'm currently considering for both parts, also still considering Moog as well as Mevotech & Dorman.
Decided to try the Detroit Axle CV Axle's, in part because they are a family owned company (& not controlled by an outside corporation or investment group) and also because they rebuild CV Axles & a few other things at their two facilities just outside (North of) Detroit Michigan.
I also got the MevoTech TTX Hubs. A tiny bit disappointed that they have some light surface rust on the bare metal portion, about half of which wiped away with just a paper towel. But, I think the remaining rust should easily come off with a white Scotchbrite pad.
I find it interesting that Detroit Axle is the only one (that I've found) who has separate part #s for driver & passenger side. I guess because the passenger side comes with an inner stub shaft & the driver side does not???
Both the hubs and CV axles came with axle nuts, but I'll use the ones from Mevotech since they match the studs and I'm thinking that blue coating will resist rust longer than the yellow zinc. Though I do like that the Detroit Axle nuts are single piece:
Now I just have to find the time to swap, though I might wait till I get the brake parts in & do it all at once. Depends on how much available $$$ I have after Friday's paycheck...