amcford

So I popped the hatch this afternoon & heard a cracking sound. I quick look around the HHR turned up the upper left side strut mount was rusted off at the ball where it goes in to the socket. The strut sort of jammed against the hatch & kept it from falling on my head. The right side is rusty too & can't be far behind.

A search didn't turn up any threads on this (not that i could find), so, has anyone else had this happen & what are the fixes? Is there a ball available that can be attached to the bracket?? Do I have to go for new brackets? Anyone know the part # for the brackets??

2011 HHR, by the way. Thanks!!!

donbrew

I think welding is about the only fix. I don't recall anyone having the problem.

If there is any meat left on the bracket you could find a bolt with a ball head, probably NAPA or the like. Might try someplace like West Marine.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Here are the 2 exploded diagrams for the liftgate. What part are you looking for? I'm guessing #5 in the second diagram, not available, not even a part number. Check your local yard, or member hellshotrod is parting out HHRs in the classifieds.

amcford

Thanks for the quick replies!! You guys are the best. I don't stop by much as the HHR has been stone axe reliable.

In the second picture it is part 5. I was able to find a GM parts site breakdown, it looks like it is part # 22714202, fits both sides. Around $18.00 each.

I am going to take Donbrew's suggestion & check NAPA or West for a replacement ball stud. The bracket itself is perfect, just the stud is rusty, to the point that it is nonexisitent. If that fails I'll go with the new bracket & stud.

Check the ones on your HHR & see if they are rusty. I was lucky the hatch didn't drop & whack me. I was bent over reaching in to grab a box when the stud broke off.

Thanks again guys! Scott

Oldblue

I lube them every six months with a squirt of white lithium grease. I pop the strut off one end at a time.

rjaustin2

I had zero luck finding a replacement ball stud to fix mine. The upper mounts use an odd ball size. Both sides broke within weeks of each other. I ended up buying replacements off eBay. Hoselton Chevrolet, if I remember correctly.

donbrew

There are a bunch listed on ebay. I thought they are welded on, IIRC that would mean significant painting.

Odd size ball? You can buy replacement arms.

rjaustin2

By arms, do you mean the gas struts?

The problem I ran into was that the top and bottom ball sizes are not the same. I think the bottom was 10mm, but the top, which always seems to be the one to break, is something like 7mm. NAPA doesn't seem to know that size exists. I was able to find the correct ball online, but with shipping, it was rather pricey. One could use a 10mm ball and hunt down a new strut that is the correct length, but that's more expensive than buying the mount was. Hence, I threw up my hands, bit the bullet and bought the mounts.

rjaustin2

The mounts bolt on, but yes, they come in black. One could paint them with a rattle can to match as they are rather small. I didn't paint mine, for what that's worth.

donbrew

Ebay doesn't think it's a mystery; here is one of many :1Set Liftgate 6123 Gas Charged Lift Support Strut Fits 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR | eBay

And the bracket :http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-GM...BZFh~2&vxp=mtr