Somebody probably makes the ball joints; they just don't catalog them for HHR SS. Mevotech makes "collision parts"; get it fixed long enough to sell the problem to the next guy; I would avoid them.

So, a dealership 100 miles north of Calgary stocks rare parts??????? OK, I guess that includes Edmonton, a city someone has heard of. I was thinking like Yellowknife.

Maybe you should publish some names for our members looking for LCAs, axles, shift linkages etc.

 

I don't know if the ball joint was bad on that control arm but the LCA bushing was certainly toast as is the same bushing on the driver's side. Looks like I'll be ordering the other side control arm tomorrow morning.

Is there a part number for the ball joint bolt? The one that came out of the right LCA looks like it's quite worn out. Either that or it's made weird. It looks like the threads are really badly worn in a few places. I will order 2 new ones when I order the driver's side LCA. I looked on GMPartsDirect.com and I can't seem to find it shown in their parts diagrams and can't find a part number for it. They should give you one with the control arm.

 

If the ball joint bolt is worn like that, someone may have already put the wrong ball joint(control arm) on it.

GM P/N 11589341 or 11518632

 

It sounds like what RJ said, the LCA’s might have been replaced with the wrong ball joints, and that chewed up the cinch bolt.
The torque sequence is, torque to 37 ft/lbs , then back off the nut 3/4 of a turn and then retorque the bolt to 37 ft/lbs.
Here’s the torque instructions

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...e-items-54648/

 

No, it was the original LCA. I got the car when it only had 34,000 km (21,000 miles) on it. There;s no way the LCAs would've been replaced in that amount of time. I have not replaced them either. It's also identical to the LCA II replaced it with and I know I got the correct part. The Dealer used my VIN number to verify and the part number I requested is correct.

The question remains, what is the part number on that pinch bolt? Or what are the specs on it so I can go to a bolt shop and get a proper replacement?

 

I gave you 2 choices...

 

See post #13

 

Part #s are listed above.
Or. You have the old bolt so just spec it yourself and find a match.

 

Sorry, didn't realize what those part nos were. Thanks for supplying them. Left control arm and two of those bolts are ordered and on the way here. I'll have them first thing tomorrow morning. Appointment for wheel alignment is set for 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. Should be ready to travel the day after. The nice thing is the dealer gave me an even BETTER price on the LCA than they did on the RCA and they gave me a very good deal on the RCA compared to what the other dealers I talked to were offering..

 

Awesome, great deal .