I've been reading on the dreaded clunk in the front end. One of the most common things to fix is the bushings and links for the sway bar.
Would like to know at what mileage was this repair done to solve the noise?
What brand part was the best to install?
I have a 2010 SS with 32K and when I bought it with 20K it had the rattle/clunk.

 

Mine has 46k miles and no rattles or clunks from the front end parts. I've been under there and checked everything a couple of times. Firm and snug. No signs of worn or loose parts.
My opinion is that mine will probably go many miles before needing anything replaced. The reasoning being that I don't drive mine in wet weather. I believe that the ones that suffer premature wear are because of the elements.
Wet roads mix with the dirt and grit then get splashed up onto the suspension parts.
Just my opinion here but I honestly think that the way HHR suspension is designed that there is some truth to this.

 

Makes sense to me.

Dirt, sand, grime, salt and chemicals can work there way into many critical areas and cause premature wear and deterioration.

I also think driving on lots of rough and damage roads/hiways, especially at higher speeds with hard and constant impacts can be an issue.

There are some owners without enough respect for their HHR's that drive like maniacs stressing all parts resulting in premature damage and wear.

Bottom line ... To many variables to set an exact time or mileage to change out front end parts.

The obvious answer would be when you start having a problem unless you want to be Pro-Active.

SF

 

I replaced mine at 65,000 miles , I now have 210,000 miles so the polyurethane bushings last awhile longer!

 

Steve
Did you replace both sway bar bushings and links at that time?
What brand parts did you use?
Is the rattle/clunk gone or lesser of a noise?
Thanks

 

I replaced my sway bar bushing with DOORMAN part and MOOG sway bar links (w/grease fittings). I still have the rattle/clunk going on over bumps but not all bumps. Car has 120,000 miles on it and will replace the shocks next. Bushing on control arms looked good.

 

My clunk turned out to be the rear LCA bushings, at that time I pressed in new GM rubber bushings, but back to the swaybar!
I used Moog end links with the grease nipples ( zerks) and Energy Suspension polyurethane 25mm greaseable sway bar bushings.
I installed 90 degree zerks to point out to the ball joints for easy greasing.

 

BDR1973, so did my bushings on the LCA, when I removed the LCA they fell apart that's the OEM on the right and a Moog problem solver K200792 on the left

Front Control Arm Bushings - Chevrolet Cobalt

 

Having not seen the Moog part. Would you say the ball and socket on it is more robust then the OEM?
I do believe in MOOG parts as a quality item.
I looked in the Energy Suspension catalog under the universal sway bar bushings and found the one to use for a 23mm bar that is used on the SS. Part number is 9.5159, suffix G is black and R is red. These are the ones with grease fittings also.

 

Yes 23 mm for the SS
Yes the Moog bushing bearing is much more robust!