2006 Chevy HHR Lower Control Arm Replace

This 2006 Chevy Lower Control Arm installation can be a bit of a wrestling match. That rear frame bolt went in much easier when I decided to make it the first one to install. Link to TOOLS and PARTS I USE...
www.amazon.com/shop/carstruck...
*Disclaimer..."I am in the Amazon Affiliate program as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases"...
My sales commission does not increase the items price.

[@JohnSmith-fb2np]

I'm a shop tech. And I had to do this job on my sons car. It was a very easy repair. Took 20 minutes. A perfect job for a DIY'r building confidence.

[@SteveAZ711]

Late, but thankyou!

[@BatMan-cq8gq]

The easiest rear bushing / frame bolt removal I've seen.

[@manietay25]

I find videos like this very helpful especially when you’re trying to keep your car running good at a low cost without dealing with a mechanic I appreciate this video

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks for the nice comment.

[@LBurou]

Thank you for an excellent demonstration, and the torque specks as well as wrench sizes! Uncommonly useful information :)

[@326madisonband2]

Very helpful. Did both sides today. Right on the money on procedure. Thank you!

[@stardream8362]

I do thank you. Worked just like you said. Getting that rear bushing to line up was the toughest part.

[@SteveAZ711]

Glad you got it my friend!

[@djberg3483]

Awesome, thanks for the heads up with a very thorough vid. Keep up the good work.

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks will do!

[@orlandojavela1744]

Happy new year thanks for you help

[@ke6bnl]

Had to do that job a week after buying my new to me 2007 HHR. but I only needed the big bushing so I ordered that and pressed it in. had a heck of a time putting it back together then put a ratchet strap on and it all lined up. that and a new power steering motor is the only issue I have had for a year now. we rung the same motor in our baja bugs and they are bullet proof.

[@SteveAZ711]

Hey Ed you did some work there! Good to know about the motor too! Those Baja Bugs sure do take a beating!

[@silversantoz4911]

great video... thank you for sharing! 👌🏻

[@TheCrafterNookWithConnie]

Nice job

[@mikedobies9915]

Awesome Video!!!

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks for the visit

[@isaacbriseno2631]

Great video

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks for the visit

[@josesosa179]

Great video.

[@SteveAZ711]

Thanks Jose. It was rewarding work.

[@cade469316cw]

Great help i was having troubles lineing up my lower bushing with the heavy bolt little convenceing straightened it up just right hope anyone trying to work on theres got some great advice from a pro like i did

[@SteveAZ711]

Thankyou, yep that large bolt at the back bushing can be a bit stubborn, and sometimes it just lines right up and goes in.

[@Saltysailor83]

I would put red loctite on the bolts also.

[@SteveAZ711]

That is a great idea!

[@Saltysailor83]

@@SteveAZ711 Very informative video BTW! Thanks.

[@d.j.9961]

I know the HHR shares many parts with the Cavalier, Pontiac G5, Cobalt, but, I just picked up a 07 G5 & It needs a driver side front lower control arm! The one thing that you did not mention is, At least on the G5, They came with TWO DIFFERENT SUSPENSION SET UP'S!! (SPORT OR TOURING) One must know which suspension their vehicle has when ordering control arms! I did not see in your book where it said to torque then, loosen & re-torque the rear bushing... only the nut on the ball joint bolt! I believe it to be very important to wire wheel any corrosion or rust off the bolt, & arround its hole & mounting surface & use anti-seize on the shaft of the bolt & thread locker on the threads & maybe the built in washer(face of bolt) So that the bolt does not rust/seize in the next 10 years or so (for the next person)

[@SteveAZ711]

No Sport or Touring HHR suspensions.

[@vincentdarsch6429]

You can tell if your back bushing is bad because it will be metal on metal with no gap between..ill be replacing my nieces next week on her 05 Saturn ion which has the same exact control arm

[@nodak81]

Just an FYI, you can damage your torque wrench by using it to turn those extra degrees after it's already clicked.

[@jeffjablonske4398]

I have a 2006 HHR bought brand new. It has 225,000 miles and is currently on the 3rd set of lower control arms. It seems I replace them (myself) and they last about a year before they start making noises again. It has been about 2 years since I installed the last set and it needs them again. As for torque, I have just tightened them up as tight as I could. Since I installed the last set I figured I was doing something wrong. An internet search told me that before the final torque, while the front end is lifted, I should load the front suspension as it would be if the car would be sitting on the ground. This would be done by putting a jack under the brake rotor and lifting it into its normal position and then torquing everything to the proper settings. That was not covered in your video (excellent video by the way). Do I need to load the suspension prior to torquing or did I just mess up by not torquing properly in the first place?

[@SteveAZ711]

My shop manual did not mention anything about preloading before applying torque. Also, I guessed at the torque angle and should have used a tool like the one in the link below. Additionally, maybe a better part brand will last longer? Here is a link to angle gauge...amzn.to/2XY2l48

[@jeffjablonske4398]

@@SteveAZ711 Thanks for the reply. I have been using Moog parts so I don't think cheap parts is an issue. I'll probably pick up one of the angel gauges before I replace my control arms again. Thanks for the link!

[@sundogtune]

im doing this tomm. and have watched a bunch of videos.i thought the control arm had to be pre-loaded (with pressure on the ball joint area, (after tightened) with floor jack) so that they set at the right level before you tighten the 2-15 mm bolts and the 1-21 mm bolt ? is this not necessary ?? i know the 3 bolts needed to be started but not tightened until preloaded

[@SteveAZ711]

I did not preload mine. I followed shop manual procedures for 2006. It is up to you. Question...if the wheel is designed to travel up and down over bumps, then what is the correct level at which one should tighten the preloaded ball joint?

[@sundogtune]

@@SteveAZ711 well the job went pretty smoothly, thank you for the torque specs. i knocked it out in a little over 2 hrs. in a gravel driveway. and your right i dont see where a preload made any difference at all. wish i would of seen your reply before i started. moving that floor jack around in a gravel driveway is a bitch!!

[@Marcelooooo_86]

Where can I find a good impact drill and socket set to accomplish this task?? Thank you sir

[@SteveAZ711]

There are 2 links below. They are the tools I used. One is for the impact driver,and the other is for the battery... amzn.to/2Y0tOTT amzn.to/2YqaQp6 Also check EBAY for this Ryobi impact driver. It will need the bigger battery to do robust work. Do not overlook any used DeWalt 1/2 in. impact drivers. I see them used on many KZbin videos. Also, check Harbor Freight for a 1/2 in Impact Driver. Be careful and do not get a 1/4 in. driver as they are too weak for removing lug nuts and such work. Hope this helps.

[@Vidslayer]

Do you need to have a wheel alignment after doing this job?

[@SteveAZ711]

That is hard to say. If your H is pulling to one side or the other, then Yes. Do a tire rotation first, then a test drive. You want to have the best tires on the front for this check. Make sure all the tire pressures are to specs. My HHR is 35 psi both front and rear cold! If you decide you need an alignment then have it checked. Otherwise, wait till you think it may need one or when you buy some new tires for the front. Also, if an alignment will give you piece of mind then have it done. Here is a link for more info on an HHR wheel alignment... repairpal.com/estimator/chevrolet/hhr/wheel-alignment-cost

[@timothythompson3029]

After 09 the HHR SS came with a slightly larger ball joint. Just make sure you get the right one. Don't trust what they give you.

[@noxonautosports]

Timothy The SS, like the Cobalt SS models, have the FE5 suspension, not the FE3 sport or FE1 soft

[@timothythompson3029]

That is true but all the major suspension manufacturer will send you a 19.5mm ball joint FE3 not the 20.5 mm FE5. Currently the only way to get the right joint is through GM and it's on a control arm you can't get it separate.

[@PonysGarage]

Would those torque specs be the same for a Cobalt? The SS model?

[@SteveAZ711]

Not sure this is a 2.4l. Cobalt SS may be different

[@PonysGarage]

@@SteveAZ711 Thank you!.

[@rogersoto24]

Hello bro How did you pay for those control arms?

[@SteveAZ711]

I believe I got these from RockAuto.

[@rogersoto24]

Cars Trucks And Detours That was a great video man thanks a lot

[@russkaine]

What's going on behind the wooden fence at 6:07 ?

[@SteveAZ711]

Dog scratching.

[@fasfgasdfagadsf]

As fast as cars are built, do you really think they use torque specs?

[@SteveAZ711]

Of course, right down to the lug nuts. It keeps the wheels from falling off. Over tighten a bolt, and you may stretch it and cause early failure. Under tighten it, and the part may loosen, fall off, or prematurely wear. I like torque settings especially in aluminum. keeps from stripping out threads or cracking a part. good mechanics can generally go by feel as they work on vehicles all the time and are used to the tightness of certain parts.

[@fasfgasdfagadsf]

@@SteveAZ711 i agree i love torque wrenches. Love using them. Torque angle specs all of it. But for the most part, i go with tight is tight and too tight is broke.

[@nodak81]

In a factory they have custom guns for everything. They'll automatically torque every nut and bolt as they're installed. I've seen ones set up to install truck wheels, it has 8 sockets to tighten all 8 lug nuts at the same time and torque them too.

[@fabianx1015]

Hello do i have to take it for alignment after replacing both sides?

[@SteveAZ711]

I did not have to. However, it is a good idea to have it checked, especially if you are experiencing drivability issues such as pulling to one side.

[@fabianx1015]

@@SteveAZ711 thank you

[@Gidiya781]

Sorry. Invalid. You dont get away with using standard when its metric. Faulty information.