I have a 09 panel with 65,000 miles on it. I love the car but the clunking bumping problems in the suspension when going on a rough road is driving me crazy! Has anyone successfully fixed theirs and if so what did you have to do?

 

Give this thread a read regor55, it has links to threads on the most common causes for HHR suspension noises and the cures.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/suspension-noise-35652/

 

I just fixed mine (in last 2 weeks) with front swaybar endlinks. I couldn't tell they were bad myself, but after reading through that ^ thread and others, it seemed like the odds-on bet for what I was hearing.

If you DIY, plan on putting them on, and possibly re-torquing within the first 50-100 miles. Mine worked loose and were louder than before. Re-torque = A-ok now. I have about 65K miles on an '08 SS.

(BTW, spell-check says re-torquing has no e after the u... Looks wrong to me.)

 

We own an auto repair shop in No. Cal.. This week we've had 2 HHR LT's, both with leaking struts, bad bearings and clunking while driving bumpy roads. I did quite a bit of research and found that this is rampant. My mechanic isolated the problem to the Sway Bar Bushings. Under $10 per BUSHING, and about 1/2 hour labor to replace both. Now the vehicle drive's very smoothly and quietly, like it did when new. Customer was so very happy! Felt great to find the elusive clunk. This worked for this one, never know what other clunks might be covered up by other clunks, sometimes it is process of elimination.