Yes, donbrew is well-versed in sarcasm. But there was none there this time.

 

The bilsteins didn’t have measurements

 

Yes, I couldn't find any specs for the B6 shocks. Not even on the Bilstein site, only for off road and truck shocks.

 

@donbrew. I apologize for my remark. No offense was intended. Thanks again for the Monroe info. Although, Google is the evil empire.

 

Evil, you want evil?

 

It's DARK HELMET.

 

In case anyone is interested. The top eyelet steel bushing is longer than oem making the width of the upper shock mount too tight to fit between the steel frame plates. I had to use a crowbar to open the space up about 1/8" or less. The shock is longer overall than oem so I used a bottle jack to position the lower eyelet. I'm not strong enough with one arm to compress the shock. I used new bolts. The ride height does seem to be unaffected. The ride seems to be more compliant over rough pavement without the usual bam,bam I get from the suspension. I don't how the FE1 suspension can be termed a soft comfort ride. The HHR is definitely the worst suspended car I've ever owned including dubious 4X4s and PU trucks. The front is next with new LCA and strut stabilizer links and sway bar bushings. I feel the suspension is like riding a hard tail motorcycle. This from day one of new ownership. I only have 51K on the odo so hopefully it will last another 12 years for me.

 

Maybe your other shocks were harsher than stock, I find the stock suspension very comfortable.
The rear shocks also determine the suspension travel limit. If they are too long there is a danger of the springs popping out or the brake lines being stretched.

 

Shocks have no role in ride height. Springs do, coil springs wear out quickly. Rear shocks get ignored by old fogeyes that look for oil leaks to diagnose shocks; in this century they are gas, no leakis.

I recommend changing springs and shocks. Springs are cheaper than shocks.

I always thought the suspension was quite good for a station wagon; not road race ready but steady enough.

This is the first I have ever heard of having to modify the car for new shocks.

 

The car is quite good on a smooth road. On rough pavement I find it to be harsh with the original shocks and the first replacement shocks. The shocks provide damping for the coil. I guess that I didn't like the characteristics of the oem shocks or the ones from Rock Auto. Maybe the springs need some looking into as well but I found the suspension to be harsh from day one. Just my opinion on the setup. It's not a matter of race ready. In fact, on smooth roads the handling and suspension are quite good. But, not all roads are smooth. My gripe is at slow speeds around town on less than ideal pavement and how the suspension behaves. Why the Bilstein shock is wider at the top eyelet is a question, not sure I would be able to find out an answer from them.