Closing in on 90,000, so I changed my struts and shocks/mounts last weekend.
Comparing the old to new, the rear shocks were probably OK at 90K.
The struts were a different story.
The old driver side pushed in easily, and slowly came back up only half way (it had some signs of "weeping").
The passenger side had been replaced under warranty before I bought it (before 42K miles). Anyway, this newer, old strut was completely collapsed, no sign of leakage. It's been sitting on the floor for a week and the cylinder hasn't moved-its still fully collapsed.

Basically, I have been riding on just the front springs, the old struts were freeloading, along for the ride.

New shocks and struts are Monroe SensaTracs. The wierd part is, I was expecting a BIG improvement in the ride quality, which I'm not seeing. The steering seems a little tighter, and there is less rumble on bumpy roads, but not a big, noticable change.

Also changed out the plugs with new Delcos, air filter, added a '49 hood ornament.
I've been very happy with my HHR. Hopefully it will continue to be a dependable ride for several more years.

Just tought I'd share...

 

I just passed 80K miles, I'll be looing into shocks/struts in the near future myself.

 

If your struts were that bad its more than likely your control arm bushings are shot too. I have a theory that the control arm bushings go before the struts and cause extra stress on them. Since they have to be pressed in and I don't have access to the right tools for that, I replaced the control arms with Dorman replacements from Rock Auto. Super easy job to replace them. I didn't notice any tighter steering until I replace the control arms.

 

Just changed mine today... For anyone looking to do this themselves... GET THE QUICK STRUT!!! done in about 30 min... removal AND install!!!

 

rroadkill - did Monroe finally get the proper part numbers for the HHR straightened out and distributed to the stores? People were having noise issues with the early ones that were more for the Cobalt I think it was. What were the part numbers for the one you used?

How do they handle/feel compared to the bagged out ones you removed?

 

Whopper: I think that they did; but the parts numbers are the same as before. They just shipped me something with springs identical to the OEM.
Lookup this thread: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/brakes-%7C-suspension-%7C-shocks-%7C-struts-24/quick-struts-35544/, last few posts.

Yves

 

My old ones were not bad! Just a little leaky...

I've only driven about 10 miles so far... I didn't go with the monro ones... I did the auto zone ones...

I cannot give you good or bad report because my old tires were SHOT and now I'm on new tires too!!!

 

Thanks guys - I'll check out Autozone and that thread.