Hi all,
This is my first post here. I have been reading and learning a lot from the forums.
Here is my problem...
I have a 2006 HHR 1lt (I believe) and I changed the original leaking shocks out at approx. 80,000 miles. I replaced them with Monroe 5779 shocks. Now the ride seems very bouncy in the rear, worse than with the blown shocks. Did I choose the wrong shocks for the suspension package?
I looked on the glove box door an it says FE1, which looks like standard suspension.
Has any one else had this experience?
What shocks are recommended to restore the OE feel?
Any help is appreciated!

 

Welcome to the site. If you are looking for the same ride, get the same shocks. There are lots of sites that sell them Rock Auto seems to be popular.

 

to the forum!

As SS fan said, you can get new OEM shocks, or you can go with shocks from KYB to get the factory feel back.

I have the Monroe 5779 shocks on one of my HHR's with no complaints as to ride quality, but we all judge ride differently.

The stock number on the GM shocks is 15780243, and the KYB stock number is 349043.

One more thing, if it has been less than 90 days since you installed the Monroe's, they will replace them with labor under their guarantee.

Here's a link for you....

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/support/...und-Guarantee/

 

For your consideration: You beefed up the rear with new shocks, now you can tell that the front struts are bad?

Not to mention "bouncy" could be springs, not shocks.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I guess I'm just confused how my car feels worse with new shocks than with the visibly blown out shocks(leaked down the wheel onto the ground). I have had different people comment as we are driving about how much the car bounces after a bump on the freeway.
I will be purchasing the oem shocks for the HHR an continue to be baffled how every car I've ever replaced shocks on was fine with aftermarket shocks.

 

I have Monroe's on my 2007 - the shop replaced the second yesterday,
they do not have a reason why they do not last . . .

 

10 minutes ago I test drove my new Monroe 5779s the front end now sways real good.

Did you by any chance look at the bolts to make sure none got forgotten?
Maybe a spring got popped out of it's socket.

 

Sounds like you need some new struts...
Yes I checked all 4 bolts and 10 lug nuts that I touched, springs are in place.


I wish you could drive my car, It is 100% rear bounce.
Maybe I just got a bad set? I did get them from a third party vendor from Amazon.

This morning I ordered a stock set of AC Delco replacements as recommended a few posts up.
That should take it back to what I had before the Monroes.

 

In my case its not that they did not last, they started out like this. My wife drives the car every day an only around town. So the first time I took it on a road trip I noticed it. I rechecked my work and it looked fine. They have only been installed for like 500 miles.
No matter... I will replace them with OE and never look back.
I will try Monroe again another time, on another vehicle.

 

I would not be looking for OE miracles, Lowest bidder etc. No shock absorber will claim to give more than 50,000 miles. I have found on 2 HHRs over more than 300,000 miles that you don't notice them being worn out until you replace them. The OE ones that I just replaced did not have leakage and they still had fair pressure (both direction) but what a difference. The sway used to be front & rear, now just hugely front only. I am currently shopping an considering option for struts, again.