Suspension Clunking Fix Part 2: Sway Bar Links

[@agile654321]

I have a 2010 HHR it had 54,000 miles when we bought it this noise has drove me nut watched your video replaced both sway bar links problem solved,Thanks to your video Thanks for posting.

[@TheAlternativeScoop]

I'm glad this video helped you out, Bo. That clunking does strike a synaptic nerve. Nice job fixing it yourself!

[@bradeckles9422]

Thanks for sharing your fix. I had replaced my Swaybar Links before (with same 10 inch) but it didn't fix my clunk (it got a little better for a week or less but that was it). Today I replaced the Swaybar Bushings and the link again (but with 12 inch links) and my clunk is gone. I noticed the old right side swaybar bushing and swaybar looked much more worn. This makes me think the RH side is heavier. Anyway, I sure hope it stays gone for good. Thanks again.

[@sodacitymoto9283]

Just replaced my Chevy Cobalt shock strut assembly and rotors the other day, and need to move to these steps next as I'm still getting a knocking, and have to balance because I'm still getting a vibration at highway speeds. Thank you for the step by step!

[@dyoel182]

Great tips. It's a very common problem on a lot of cars and people just turn up the radio and deal with it.

[@billonbikes]

Great video. This is what was wrong with my 2008 HHR. Thanks for putting this on here.

[@MavericksRacin]

I’ve been stuck trying to get the joints off… 17mm open end wrench will hopefully do the trick!

[@AlexanderGarcia-yv2xb]

I installed the longer ones that came in a kit I bought in my HHR but the eat up the inside of my brand new tires in less than 3 months. So go with the same size to avoid more stress down the road. So yeah learn from my mistake lol.

[@fredfred3303]

Alexander Garcia thanks for the tip, I got 12" links in a kit, didn't realize they were going to be the wrong size, and was trying to decide what to do! Looks like I should just return them and order the parts separately.

[@cometrider2000]

I'm glad you posted this . I was wondering what the longer links would , if they would hit the lower control arm ,raise the wheels ,stiffen the ride , so glad you told us about it , to bad the show did not .

[@coolhotrod]

Holy crap that looked easy. The studs on mine are rusty and the nuts are seized. It's a huge pain to get them off especially the bolt on the lower ones. I usually end up having to cut them off.

[@fredfred3303]

coolhotrod I just used vise grips on the ball joint side to keep it from spinning.

[@yellowjacket3840]

Oh an for your Info Guys No 17mm Wrench fits those you have to use 18mm or go with the SAE Equivlent

[@Toyeboy89]

So I've got some noise on my HHR that I just purchased and I think I might actually be able to handle this job. Is the suspension on these HHR's really bad as I'm hearing?

[@carolinarelichunter3273]

it’s actually a 18mm for the nut removal

[@yellowjacket3840]

I have a 2010 HHR with this same clunking noise I have replaced Both Struts Sway bar Links control arms and Bushings and the clunking noise is still present I have retorqued all the bolts thru out and still I hear it What else do you got for this problem?

[@stewes173]

You ever find out the problem? Having a similar issue.

[@Dblade981]

When changing sway bar link. Should you replace them as a pair or just the one making the noise? Thanks! Someone told me better to be safe to replace as a pair.

[@nodak81]

Like most suspension components it's considered best practice to do them in pairs. That said, it's not required nor is it dangerous not to, it's just assumed that if one side is bad then the other is probably not far behind. Plus the new side will be stiffer/stronger than the more worn one on the other side and might give an undesired effect when driving. Links on the HHR are so easy to replace and so cheap ($5 each on Rockauto) that there's not much reason not to replace both sides.

[@civilizedagesabers]

Had the same issue on my chevy cobalt, but I changed the links first, still making clanking noise when I turn. Havent changed the bushings. So could that be the issue? the bushings?

[@limpdickit]

Richard Schulz i have a 2008 chevy aveo that had a bad groan or creakind noise and it turned out to be an inner tie rod.....it was a royal pain to replace....

[@SvntyStang]

Did you use OEM sway bar links and bushings or an aftermarket like Moog?

[@TheAlternativeScoop]

I used aftermarket "Mechanics Choice" sway bar links and OEM GM bushings. I found both on eBay.

[@williamholden2385]

I would go back to the original size parts ... your car has been engineered to ride its best with the OEM size parts ... worked at GM 26 years .. take my word on this one ..

[@TheAlternativeScoop]

Thank you for the feedback, William. It does seem to ride fairly well with the longer links but you're likely right. Online orders gone wrong are a pain in the hex-nuts.

[@mikemaxwell1801]

Did both part one and part two. Still clunking... On to lower control arm replacement.

[@ScottDearing]

Tough luck. Let us know what you find the problem to be.

[@mikemaxwell1801]

Ordered them today. The sway bar bushings were shot for sure so they definitely needed to be done. Both were cheap and easy and the videos helped.

[@Toyeboy89]

+Mike Maxwell was your lower control arm bad the ball joint & or bushing? I got the sway bar bushings replaced and I replaced my sway bar links myself with higher quality Moog ones, but now I'm hearing a metal tapping sound on the right when going under 30 mph over bumps, or slowing down.

[@mikemaxwell1801]

Yes, I replaced the control arms as well. That rear bolt can give you some trouble but overall with basic hand tools I had about 2 hours per side to get it done. Good call on the Moog sway bar links. I put 2 sets of the junk ones on from my local Advanced Auto Parts before I learned...😠

[@PRG013]

I just changed mine for the second time in 9 years. Please people, make sure you check the ball joints also. My left one was almost totally destroyed.

[@Toyeboy89]

do the ball joints make a clicking metal on metal sound?

[@mabast007]

I put a shorter sway bar link on my Chevy Cobalt. Is that make any difference?

[@followyourbliss101]

it's odd... i only hear it when the radio is off 😀

[@dan-rr8dc]

Holy Crap! The front end noise on my 2009 HHR might be your stupid secretary ! How do I fix that?

[@Toyeboy89]

sway bar links are so easy to replace wow

[@tommybokelman5565]

both of your videos you have called open-end wrenches crescent wrenches there is no 17 mm crescent wrench or 12 mm crescent wrench a crescent wrench is an adjustable wrench

[@muohiodpowell1974]

Don’t use your hands as a hammer!!

[@noxonautosports]

David on most if not everything should be replaced pairs. If one goes the other isn’t far behind