So i have been having a lot of front end problems with my 2008 Chevy HHR, manual transmission. Recently i have had the struts, control arms, stabilizer links and wheel bearings all replaced. i still have a thumping noise when going over bumps at certain angles. When its dry out and i go around any type of turn i can hear the tires squeling in the front, today it rained and even on the slightest slick surface (tar patches, medal plates) it feels like my wheels are sliding side to side and has an awful thumping that is not present when its dry. Also sometimes when braking i can feel a vibration in the steering wheel, I was thinking it could be alignment issue from doing so much front end work but not really sure. Please give me some feedback.

 

Welcome to the site, check the lower control arm bushings and the swaybar bushings.

 

Thanks old blue, i just now replaced the control arms maybe two weeks ago so i wouldn't think it would be that. Ill have to look into checking out the sway bar bushings, and how to diagnose it.

 

Check the relevant link in my sig.

 

Double check the torque on the rear lowercontrol arm bushings

 

You are going to need an alignment too... Not to cure a thump, but that handling/squealing tire issue is more than likely an out of alignment problem.

 

Would the vibration in my steering wheel be related to an alignment issue as well? Thanks for the feedback i plan on getting it back in to the shop ASAP its just hard with my work schedule and the HHR being my only vehicle. I've also been having problems with the reduced engine power, and losing power. I changed the throttle body and it cured it for a while and now it is back, could it be a wiring issue? It also occurs after hitting bumps at certain angles i'm guessing because it does not do it over all bumps mainly on the highway which can be very scary lol my check engine light is on and i have had it scanned only to come up with i need a purge valve could the two problems be related?

 

I think if is a serious enough EVAP related code it can cause reduced engine power. Fix the problem with EVAP and then see if it helps with the Reduced Power Issue.

 

Scanning the check engine light (CEL) does not tell you what part is bad. It gives you a code number. That code number just tells you what area is not sensing the correct readings.
If you'll post up the code numbers we can help you. If you post up just a description of what the code says is wrong, sorry but those descriptions are sometimes inaccurate and even wrong.

 

Check the MAF connection for loose pins , clean the MAF with MAF sensor safe cleaner

You HHR is a 2008 manual 5 speed but which engine 2.2 , 2.4 or do you have an SS 2.0 turbo?