X2!!!!!

this is the most common "clunk" in the delta platform...

 

Pleased to report that as of right now the replacement of the front swaybar bushings has eliminated the clunking noise. I took the HHR to a suspension/transmission specialist to cut to the chase. He charged me $117.00 to replace all the bushings. I was pleased with that figure because first he had quoted me around $200.00. He did say the dealer had shipped him the wrong size bushings .... be sure to get the right size and take it to someone who knows their trade. Now, I'm trying to get the dealer who sold us the vehicle to reimburse us for the repair. This was an issue that the dealer's shop should have picked up on if they had the HHR up on the rack at all.

 

If I may chime in with my $.02 here..... I suggest you get a new mechanic. For a "mechanic" to change 3 different things, for a simple clunking noise, without ever actually diagnosing and seeing the actual problem causing component, he needs to go

When I fix a car, I never just start throwing parts at it, without seeing and troubleshooting that actual condition. Any idiot can keep changing part after part, because sooner or later (usually later), he's going to get it right. Then he will claim that he fixed it

 

So, could you tell me how to go about tightening up the front bumper cover on my '07? Maybe point me in the direction of another forum post that describes the process? The upper half feels relatively solid, but the lower half is terribly loose. I climbed under there and saw a bunch of clips & black plastic shields in the way. Hate to waste the time taking all of that off if I don't have what I need to tighten it back up.
Pretty sure this is the source of my clunking noise. Result of incompetent good samaritan who *tried* to help my 16 year old daughter change a front tire. Instead, he placed the jack behind the tire he was changing, which then fell. (If only he had listened to my daughter when she told him where to put the jack!) When we arrived, he was gone and the front of our car was on the ground in the ditch... And he dented the hood when placing the tire on the roof... Did I mention he used to date my daughter?? Oh wait, I digress...

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Is that a new record for time between joining and a first post lol

 

Haha! I've used this site to find the answers to lots of questions. This is just the first time I've had to ask for help!
So, any ideas on how to fix the damage done by a 16 year old who was trying to impress the girls yet did everything wrong?? *sigh*

 

Problem is, it's not going to be just a matter of "tightening up the front bumper cover".
You seem to have some type of damage, thanks to the 16 year old. You're going to have to find out exactly what he damaged under there.
All those plastic clips and screws that hold the cover on have matching holes that they line up with. I'll bet some have pulled loose or out, or even broken.
It's just going be a, "Jack it up and get under there and see what's wrong."

 

I have had the clunk noise for a while...nd started to embrace it lol.
Thanks for the link on fixing, something I can handle and will fix.

 

Woo hoo! Problem solved! Combination of loose bumper (replaced a bunch of clips & added a couple screws) and messed up sway bar links. Car sure sounds a lot better now!

 

Awesome another thread to put to bed!!!