Hi. I’ve used this site a lot for working on my hhr. I’ve always loved the cars. I finally got one a couple months ago. It’s a 2008 2.2. With manual transmission. I got a great deal on it cuz the timing chain broke and it threw a rod threw the front of the block. So I replaced the motor and have had it running about a month. I noticed the driver side cv axle had a rip in the boot. So I got a rebuilt axle and changed it. I backed it out and there was this horrible grinding sound. I thought it was a brake hanging up or metal on metal. Idk. It didn’t make this sound before but that’s what it sounded like. I hung out the window and pulled it back in and it was coming from driver side front wheel. So I jacked it up. Pulled the wheel off. Put the car in neutral and spun the hub to pin point the sound. It’s coming from the transmission where the axle goes in. Yes I did refill the transmission fluid. So I thought maybe I had gotten the wrong axle. So I removed the axle and put back in the old axle. And the sound is still there. I’ve been doing tons of research and I’m lost. Is there a bearing in there that went bad? It’s not leaking fluid. Idk why it’s doing this.

 

I am not a mechanic, but looks like you answered your own question. If that noice is coming from transmission, it is probably broken.

 

Don't run the wheels with the car jacked up. That over extends the slip joint and makes noise (at the transmission).

My guess is that the hub coincidentally gave up.

 

X2 , replace the hubs in pairs.
We do get a discount from RockAuto

 

Or, you didn't put the brakes back together right.

 

Or the axle shaft isn't inserted all the way.