Replaced both LowerControlArms after my grandson hit a curb (Its his car). Steering wheel aimed left after repair and after taking to get an alignment all seemed OK. Yesterday after 6 months I noticed front pads are already worn down. I drove the car today and it just seems that the steering turns too much. I mean this car can u turn on a two lane road pretty good. Is there a limitation that should be programed?

 

No adjustment. You might check the tire pressure.
Front pads probably due to not adjusting the rear brakes.

 

Check the outer tie rods , see if ones bent even a little bit, a new steering rack is not hard to install, and would eliminate possible damages resulting from the impact.

 

x2

Unpleasant steering sensations may result from slight deformation. It may not be visible to the eye, but be present.
If the blow was so significant that it was necessary to replace the suspension arms. it means the steering has been exposed to a real danger of deformation.
Replace the steering tips and tie rods first. It is inexpensive and needs regular replacement anyway. Test the steering rack at the same time; there should be no backlash or extraneous sounds. If this is found, replacement will probably be required depending on the extent of the damage.
Pay attention to the cradle and the attachment points of the cradle to the body. A heavy blow could deform the cradle or body spars. In addition, the suspension elements can also be deformed and this will affect the handling. For example, the shock absorber strut is deformed in 85% of cases if the suspension arm is deformed. The most lousy thing is that this deformation is not visible to the eye and this can only be detected on the adjustment stand (alignment / toe).

As for the limiter - it is not there.
And one more ... I have a small Nissan with electric power steering. The same scheme as in HHR. When I bought it, his steering wheel turned reluctantly to the left, but galloped to the right. The mechanics assured me that my suspension is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. But they were all mistaken. The true reason - due to the loosening of the bolt, the position sensor of amplifier electromotor has shifted. Just a couple of millimeters, but the setting went wrong. I just hung the front wheels on the jack, loosened the second bolt and empirically adjusted the position by rotating the position sensor of electromotor left / right. The hardest thing to catch is the correct position since the difference is only 1 - 2 adegrees.
I don’t know if HHR has a similar sensor. By analogy should be. If there is a possibility and desire - remove the casing from the steering column and look around.

 

The steering rack comes with the inner and outer tie rods , here is a how to

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ng-rack-58948/

 

Fair
Just for the sake of saving money ... The steering rack costs about 200 USD and not the fact that it is broken.
Steering tips and tie rods cost about 50 USD in the kit and are hit first.
Of course, each of us decides what is beneficial for him. I would change the steering rack only as a last resort, for me it is very expensive.

 

My point was if the rack is damaged, mine had play in the input shaft, and the tie rods were tired.

 

Yes
I also have a backlash in the steering rack
quite small, but a replacement is needed
I have to do it sometime, but the cost makes me sad,
while I use what I have