1HotHHR

I was just told I need both lower control arms. They want $700.00 parts labor aliegnment. Sounds like a lot of money. 2 hours labor and the rest parts.
Anyone else out there had them replaced. I have 110000 miles on it so sometime things just wear out.

See ya down the road
Bud - Harvey

fastsuv

I didn't have mine done by a garage, but I replaced a control arm bushing myself, which required removal and reinstallation of the control arm. If I recall correctly, it was very easy to remove and install the control arm. If I had a lift, I could probably have replaced both control arm in less than an hour. You don't need an alignment as you are not removing any strut bolts, only the ball joint upper bolt and two bushing bolts. However, if you haven't had an alignment done in a long time it may be a good time to have it done.

$700 seems a little high but not unreasonable. If you check some local garages you may be able to get it done for $100-150 less.

Steve

Blue_SS

If it hasn't been in a wreck, you should see about just getting the bushings replaced. A shop with a press can do these quickly. If the arms aren't bent, they should still be OK, right? Ditto for balljoints. They CAN be replaced without replacing the whole arm.

donbrew

Yes the bushings do wear out, probably around the 70,000 mile mark.

If this is not an SS, then the job is fairly cheap. Check around the internet complete control arms (includes bushing, ball joint and hinge/mount) can be had for less than $100 each, however.... you should consider hubs, struts and axles at the same time, since all of those parts need to be at least disconnected. If you have or can borrow/rent basic tools it is an owner doable proposition.

You do not REQUIRE a front end alignment after the job is done. If you want to pay someone to do it, it's your money. Just saying you can save $100 right there.

Doc brown

Hubs, struts and axles do not need to be disconnected to change the lower control arms. However, worn bushings lead to other worn parts, the most vulnerable in this case are the struts. At a minimum, if you are replacing bushings/lower control arms, replace the struts too.

donbrew

You are correct, sir. My brain was working on other things as I typed .

But, at 110K, I would be suspecting everything is worn out.

afornal

Not sure there is a relation here - But here is what hapened to the HHR we just bought, had it 2 days and this happened: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/our-new-used-blue-hhr-ls-42934/