Rock Auto is a great site for parts but for convenience I went to Amazon.

Recently I had a curb smack that required a lower control arm replacement. I simply visited GM parts direct, found the part#s and Amazon'd it. The units received definitely looked different than my originals, but I simply assumed that the most units now are simply remanufactured and the one I received was a brand new steel manufactured unit. Both control arms (Driver & Pass side) mounted with some wiggle work and I do not notice any issues. The repair motivated me to replace several other parts since I was down in the wheel well already. Inner tie rods, Outer tie rods, Stab links, Calipers, brake lines rotors, Hub bearings, and wheel nut.

To be honest, the bulk of the information I needed was delivered from this forum. It is nice to have such a great resource that is ten times better than the Chilton book.

Here is the part list with numbers I used:
Dorman 05170 x2 Wheel nut
GMB 799-0158 x2 Hub Bearings
Moog K750012 Sway Bar Link Kit x2
ACDelco 45A1062 Professional Outer Steering Tie Rod End x2
ACDelco 45D3595 Professional Driver Side Lower Suspension Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly
ACDelco 45D3596 Passenger Side Lower Suspension Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly
Raybestos 405-1208 Professional Grade Steering Tie Rod



Extra adds since I was down there already:
Gates K050400RB Blue Racing Micro-V Belt
ACDelco 18K1971X Professional Durastop Front Disc Brake Caliper Hardware Kit
ACDelco 176-1654 x2
ACDelco 25884779 GM Original Equipment Front Brake Dust Shield x1 Drivers side only
ACDelco 172-2484,85, GM Original Equipment Front Disc Brake Caliper Assembly
Callahan [ SS Brembo FRONT Caliper ] FRONT Premium OE 315.5 mm.

 

Being it is the stamped steel LCA, it's actually meant for the Cobalt platform - not the HHR's (which have the cast aluminum LCA's) - even though they do fit.

It looks like you replaced it with this:
If you used the "check fit" at the top of the Amazon page you will note " This does not fit your: 2007 Chevrolet HHR" (I used 2007 as the year, as you did not state the year or the model of the two HHR's you replaced it all on). Was this the LT or the SS you did the work on? I suspect it was the LT as the SS has a different ball joint/attachment. (this thread is for the SS BTW).

The correct fit for an LT is:

 

The Amazon check fit option states "This fits your: 2010 Chevrolet HHR 2.0L SS"
I lined both units up, checked some dims and weights and saw no issues.

 

Interesting - the ones you installed, were they the stamped steel like the Amazon picture or the aluminum ones?

 

The ball joints are the diff between LT and SS. I am guessing that's also true for. Cobalt.

 

Yes the part I ordered is stamped steel with black finish(exact image seen on the Amazon website) The description for the control arm was same on most web sites I searched so I did not see an issue ordering it.

 

Good news guys. Just arrived back from the dealership for an alignment and they confirmed the control arm part used is the correct replacement to the aluminum stock units.

 

What are symptoms of needing control arms or bushings replaced?

 

"brake judder", odd tire wear, clunks, clicks, visibly broken rubber bushing.

When Mine went bad I really didn't notice until the tire guy looked and told me the bushings were shredded.

 

I don't think anyone has mentioned the mileage on their SS's when their suspension parts "went South". I think I have problems with control arm bushings on my '10 SS at 50k miles, but this seems too soon. What say you?

OBD