Since you have the Fe1 suspension you might want to go with the Ee3 KYB shocks, Several years ago I had rented an HHR with the Fe1 it was like riding onair as my HHR is the 2lt and lowered 21/2 inches in the rear and 2 inches in front, I just had installed the Fe5 struts and 4 new Dunlap tires it made a big difference..

 

I didn't mention anything about the cheapest or longest lasting. The new shocks have only been in there for about 500 miles. I said that my car bounced after I replaced the shocks, and did I choose the wrong shocks, etc.
Maybe I am misunderstanding what your getting at.
This is really irrelevant, but I have plenty of experience diagnosing and working on automobiles.
I simply had a question about this specific situation.
I know that bouncy means "springs". The springs are always there , this just shows the complete lack of dampening...(shocks)

 

I was getting at the fact that GM takes bids on parts and selects the lowest, and OE shock absorbers have always been considered inferior. I personally do not think that the General sells only godsmacked parts, some people seem to.

The only point was "just because GM sells something does not make it better than an identical item sold by another vendor" since they all use the same design parameters.
You did not choose the wrong shocks, that is the correct part number. Where is the mention of you not knowing what a spring is? Some other people have "forgotten" to tighten a shock bolt, that later fell out. Some other people have stripped a bolt (use the search tool, you'll find at least 1 experienced person has done that).
I also did not mention anything about price or longer lasting, just a comment about MFG suggested length of service.
I do not know what factory built the batch of shocks for an HHR that your dealer stocks, or if they are the same as the batch on your particular car from the factory. The OEM shocks that I just removed from my car have NO markings on them, not GM, not AC/Delco, nothing, not even a part number.


Get your shoulders back where the belong, as I will do momentarily (1 more brew).

Sorry I tried to help. Good day, sir.

 

Hi everybody

I just bought my first HHR yesterday (2008 SS) and I want to change the shocks as the HHR has 70k miles and I don't think they have ever been changed. I have had a terrible experience with Monroe shocks. Every time I have installed them on any vehicle the ride got worse compared to the OEM shocks. I have had good luck with KYB Gas-A-Just and I would like to find out if anybody knows if Bilstein or Koni makes shocks for the HHR?

Rock Auto only has listings for AC Delco and for Sachs (Boge). I have good luck with the Sachs shocks as the are OE for Volvo and I have owned several Volvos.

Last question - Does the SS have the FE5 suspension or the FE1 or FE3? Where do I find that information on the car? Thanks!

Tom & Cynthia
aka Truvoice1

 

Here, the SS has fe-5 which is a step above the KYB's . Koni make some for them.

 

I have a 2009 LS HHR and the OEM front struts were started leaking at around 38K... When taking corners the car leaned badly.. I replaced the struts with Gabriel Ultra Struts and replaced the rear shocks with the same. The ride is firmer with the Gabriel's and the car handles better in the corners. The struts came fully assembled so replacement/install was very easy... All in all I have been happy with the Gabriel's. Real shame the OEM's went bad so quickly but for $300 bucks and an hour and a half of my time, I'm very satisfied.

 

I changed my rear shocks when I replaced the struts. 105,000 miles. There were NO issues with the rear shocks, I just decided it was "time". I put on the Monroes, and they only offer one version for the HHR.

As someone stated earlier, my car began to bounce after going over bumps in the road. My car never did that before. The old shocks were fine and I would have put them back on, but it was garbage day and they went on the garbage truck before I test drove my car.

I went so far as to talk to a O'Reilly district manager and he contacted Monroe and confirmed they only have one model for my HHR.

The "bounce" is due to Monroe engineers designing the valving to provide a better overall ride. The result was a bounce after driving over seemingly small bumps (rises, not holes) in the road. They do ride better, but I cannot tolerate the stupid bounce after the bump on these Michigan roads.

But since I tolerated these too long, I am now forced to buy another brand and eat the cost of the Monroe shocks. I have always been a fan of Monroe, and will continue to be one, even after this episode.

Someone posted earlier that the bounce is due to the springs, not the shocks. While he is right, it is the valving in the shocks that eliminates the bounce.

 

It is obvious you know nothing about General Motors and the manner in which a supplier is selected.

I am a GM Retiree and I used to work in the Flagship of the Highest End test lab in the world. We tested everything that was getting considered from every supplier interested in supplying parts to GM... Including shock absorbers.

Shock absorbers are not selected by merely providing the best price. They are first selected on the ride quality, lifespan, quality, supplier support, of course cost goes in there, but it is not the sole factor by any means. There are many other criteria to be considered as well.

As far as "since they all use the same design parameters" is concerned, again you failed the mark since each car (no matter who builds the vehicle) has different requirements for shocks, and therefore require different valving. That is not to say one shock is not used across 2 or more models, it does happen.

For you to make a statement like that is offensive, uncalled for, and displays your lack of knowledge.

 

Well my experience i stayed away from Monroe because of the spring issue and i went with unity but did the install and the drivers side coil was lose were i can turn it a little ,but i given it a chance for them to settle in and it seems to be better starting to tighten up...anyways i contacted the company and they are sending me a new set which they stand behind there product ,only thing i am fighting is a creak when the car is standing still turning in each direction ,so know i am leaning toward the swaybar bushings which are 3 years old and car sits outside maybe dried rotted or it the strut mount with noise ..But all in all i like complete strut from unity the springs are strong and have a good ride ,donbrew and whopper was giving tips on about what may be the problem ..Well monday it is going to the shop get here up on the rack and find were this creak is coming from ..I will let members know what they find..

 

Gee, Marty. I don't know what set you off, but you seem to support what I said.

Sorry I offended with "just because GM sells something does not make it better than an identical item sold by another vendor" , what part of that statement is addressed in your defense of GM? Not that GM needed defending, because there was no attack made.

So, GM labs doesn't use design parameters in their testing? Then why test before they buy? Should be able to just specify "shock absorber" order by generic name with no specs given.

Maybe they should have assigned you to the brake testing division. Because they must have done a poor job of testing those vendors according to your signature.

Maybe you were being facetious?