Have you checked the plastic "chin spoiler" and all of the other plastic body pieces like the rockers for tight fit? Are you sure it's the front? Nobody ever checks the REAR hubs, they do go bad too. I have something like this noise going on, but I am suspecting my trans is trying to die.

 

Check the plastic parts; chin spoiler, rockers and fender wells for good fitment. Any of them can cause a wind vibration when they are loose.

Just trying to clarify.

 

You have a 100k mile warranty on the power train, which covers wheel bearings. Rotors not covered FYI.

 

Just had it aligned and mechanic said he thought that the sound was coming from around the manifold, but that the whole front end was tight. Also, it makes the same noise with the front end jacked up, and can only hear it inside the car. My dad, outside the car, couldn't hear anything other than just the motor.

 

I had the exact noise, including only hearing/feeling it when the windows were closed. Today while I was rotating the tires and putting new brake pads on the front, I spun the RF and heard a scraping sound, could not see any thing rubbing (pads out, rotor bolted down), pulled the bearing turned the axle, no noise. Just so happens that I saved my marginal hubs from 30K ago, I changed them out just because they had 120K on them and I got an incredible deal on new hubs (price anyway) and I was replacing the axles anyway........ Anyway, the noise is gone now with the old hub back on.

BTW, the judder in the brakes is also lessened AND it no longer feels like a wheel is out of balance.

 

Sounds like you got a dud hub right out of the box, so much for "quality control" huh?

 

Well it lasted 30K and only cost $12.50, National brand "made in Korea" same as the last set. I just went through a time of 2 out of 3 rear hubs bad in the box, not even out of the box, eighth of an inch end play.

The point being that bad hubs present in many different ways. Humming, rattling, roaring, vibrating etc.

 

How are things going with your HHR? Did the mechanic look into this further for you?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

But he might be out of the 5 year part. Depends on when his was put in service.

 

Thank you for sharing what helped your noise go away. I hope you continue to have a quiet ride in your HHR for many, many miles.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service