Anyone have a documented (pic's included) "How-To" for lowering the door locks? I'm interested in 'how much to shave' and any pitfalls encountered.
Thx.

-SCOOT

Nobody has ever posted a how to but there is plenty of info on the site. :smile: Try a search and see if that helps. ;) I believe either KNEZRYD or SoCalHHR posted how much to chop off the other day. :confused:

Here is a product from SoCalHHR - Smoothie door lock set.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1591&page=1&pp=10

Those shortys look great, but remember that if the door are locked and for some strange reason the HHR looses power to the door lock system you can't grab hold of the knob. That not likely, but something to keep in mind.

Those shortys look great, but remember that if the door are locked and for some strange reason the HHR looses power to the door lock system you can't grab hold of the knob. That not likely, but something to keep in mind.

Another good reason to leave the rear lock knobs intact. :thumb:

That is true.

For me, that bottom line was to GET RID of that knob poking me in the arm! :lol:

Everything else is secondary. :thumb:

I keep a slim jim set in the rear storage of my HHR, of course it doesn't do me much good if it's locked up and I don't have the remote. Not to take $$$ away from SoCal, but I would think that you could simply shave the lock road and still use the existing door lock knobs?!

CBL

Not to take $$$ away from SoCal, but I would think that you could simply shave the lock rod and still use the existing door lock knobs?!

CBL

That's possible, but to do it with the stock knobs (very long!), you need to pull the whole door panel, and cut the rod from below.
Measuring it accurately is tough also, and it's a big job not many owners are willing to do.
Our lock knob kit was meant to make this job as simple as possible. :thumb:

ah, I gotcha! Makes sense, I didn't realize that the stock were that long. And your'e right, sounds like a PITA.... I should be placing an order with you in a week or so for several items, think i'll add the stubbys to the list...

As always, thanks for the valuable info SoCal!

CBL

No problem - it was the PITA factor that made me come up with the kit! :lol:

Our lock knob kit was meant to make this job as simple as possible. :thumb:
AhhhhHH yes....! The KISS principal! Keep It Simple Stupid!http://www.sindydix.com/storage/smilies/kiss.gifhttp://www.sindydix.com/storage/smilies/kiss.gifhttp://www.sindydix.com/storage/smilies/kiss.gif

I keep a slim jim set in the rear storage of my HHR, of course it doesn't do me much good if it's locked up and I don't have the remote. Not to take $$$ away from SoCal, but I would think that you could simply shave the lock road and still use the existing door lock knobs?!

CBL

I did that in my Grand Am back when I was about 18. :lol: I locked my keys and cell phone in my car. The irony of the whole situation is I had a slim jim locked in my trunk and couldn't call anyone but my phone kept ringing. :rof: Luckily a police officer drove by and I flagged him down and had him slim jim my car for me. :bow: Now our local police force will not unlock your car for you because too many people were suing them for damaging their car while slim jiming it. :mad: Talk about ungrateful *****s. :cussing:

No doubt... I found that the Fire Dept won't do it anymore either. Matter of fact, the last few years the security industry has stopped for that same reason too. I keep mine to help those less fortunate from time to time when I see em using the ol coat hanger method, but I always explain that I'm not responsible for any damages that might occur. But honestly, there is no telling how many locks I've popped open and I have not damaged a vehicle yet *knocks on wood*....

CBL

where I work we all have a network of slimjims we keep in our cars. it's not likely 15-20 of us are gonna lock ourselves out! Now if the rest of the world would join us when were not at work!

Those shortys look great, but remember that if the door are locked and for some strange reason the HHR looses power to the door lock system you can't grab hold of the knob. That not likely, but something to keep in mind.

Couldn't you just use the key if you loose power. Or is there something in the HHR that keeps the lock from popping with the key with no power.

Couldn't you just use the key if you loose power. Or is there something in the HHR that keeps the lock from popping with the key with no power.

They're talking about from the inside. ;) If you lose power you won't have a knob to grab hold of leaving you trapped inside. :smile:

I thought most cars the lock pulls up with the door handle lever. Not sure on the HHR.

Nope, if you pull the handle the lock stays down. :(

wasn't sure, they always pop automatically when the ignition is turned off. I wanted to try the stubbies, but now I am not sure if I want too.

If no power crowl into back seat pull up on the long long knob get out

Charles

Anyone got a pic of SoCals pulls in the down posit?

Anyone got a pic of SoCals pulls in the down posit?

Right on our website:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Door%20locks/3views.jpg

I thought someone had mentioned in another post that the door lock posts were not screw on like many other cars. So how do you remove the old ones and put these on?

It's all in the directons...

It's all in the directons...

In plain English...Buy the kit! :lol:

Ng

It's all in the directons...
I guess I should have asked...Do they screw off or will I have to cut them?

I guess I should have asked...Do they screw off or will I have to cut them?

It's all in the directions... :lol:

If no power crowl into back seat pull up on the long long knob get out

Charles


easier said than done for some..

when in doubt read the instructions.

Whatever you do - don't throw the directions away! :D

They can be taken off with a pair of pliers. Wrap the plier jaws with tape first to prevent damage (maybe!). The lock rod is NOT a traditional size threaded rod, it is a serrated rod. the stock lock knobs are put on at the factory with an airgun using a special rubber socket to spin them onto the rod's teeth. Since most owners don't have that gun, we use silicone seal to secure the new knobs to the rod. Our "Smoothie" lock knobs are larger internally to fit the HHR's oversize rod.

Hope it helps,

(*I could have wrote all this the first time - but I was busy, and it was much more fun this way!) :lol:

easier said than done for some..

True I forgot :bow:

Charles

easier said than done for some..

I know your situation - so here's a tip bro: only cut the rod on the driver's door (leave the pass door knob up just a bit when closed). If you get in a bind you can stretch to the pass door and unlock it. This way both doors will still mathc, the pass would just stick up high enough to grab when locked.

I know the driver - more than anyone else, will appreciate the "Smoothies" - at the ATM's and drive-throughs, or while just cruising with your arm out the window.

Hope it helps! :thumb:

Unless you're like me and want large skulls at the of your knobs. :lol:

Unless you're like me and want large skulls at the of your knobs. :lol:

They will still stick you in the arm at the ATM's then...

Stock Lock buttons on all 4 doors on CJ's, i never changed them
now you see the stock lock buttons

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/100_0649.jpg

now you dont
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/100_0650.jpg
:thumb: :nuts: :D :one:

Looking good CJ! :thumb:

I have no problems at the ATM. I just line my HHR up right with the ATM and stick my arm out the center of the window nowhere near the knob. ;) Same with drive throughs and so forth. I don't hang my arm out the window because I mainly drive with my left arm so it never leaves the wheel. I have never scraped my arm on the knob ever, not even once. :smile: Plus the skulls look better IMO of course. :nuts:

Skulls it is then... http://www.wolfpackcc.com/forum/images/smilies/evil.gif

Luckily it's not going to be as hard as I first thought. The skulls unscew from the shafts on the aftermarket knobs I bought so I just have to modify the stock knob a little to hold the skulls. I was thinking it would be a ordeal but actualy it's not all that bad. Now if I can just find the time and it would stop raining.

Why dont you just drill or dremel out the skull knobs, then slip them right on the rods?

I don't have to dremel anything. I opened up the pack and to my surprise the skulls just unscrewed from the shafts. It was the coolest thing. Now I have four chrome skulls that are the perfect size for the factory shafts. :smile:

I guess I'm missing how you are going to attach them to the factory shafts - and why you don't just dremel out the skull shafts to fit? That way you don't have to work up a way to attach them to the factory shafts.

I have it worked out and it's simple. :smile: I like the factory shafts and they are the perfect size. ;) I'll post pics soon. :thumb:

SoCal,

Orders on the way, thanks for the photos, Sweeeet!!

I have it worked out and it's simple. :smile: I like the factory shafts and they are the perfect size. ;) I'll post pics soon. :thumb:

What did you do Captain, remove the stock ones,
shorten them up.. and reinstall them ?

Yeah , lets see pics..

What did you do Captain, remove the stock ones,
shorten them up.. and reinstall them ?

Yeah , lets see pics..

I haven't put them on yet but I'm leaving the knobs stock length. The lenghth doesn't bother me one bit. I just want to add skulls for style. :cool: As soon as I'm done I'll post pics. Probably next weekend weather permiting. :smile:

:thumb:
I got two sets from SoCal (thanks Mike) and did the fromt and back.

I didn't cut any of the rods off and it is working great. There is plenty left when locked to pull up and the elbow bruising has ended!:nuts:

unlocked

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43f670bdzb36dc1c9/9ad4scd/__sr_/25fare2.jpg?phISrVEB_BEGDM1F

locked

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43f670bdzb36dc1c9/9ad4scd/__sr_/9e24re2.jpg?phISrVEB.ktygQ7M

Mike at SoCal told me to try it this way (uncut) and I thought it was the best route to go all around.

No photos showed......:red:

If you can't see em here they're also in my gallery.

I did the front and did not cut either works out great.

Charles

I got 2 sets form Mike, too. I cut the fronts but did not cut the back door lock rods. I can still unlock the back doors by hand if I need to.

good

Pics of lock knobs installed on rods that were not cut:

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/3/7/6/DoorLockunlocked.JPG

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/3/7/6/DoorLocklocked.JPG

Charles

Well, could I have beat the ole Captn at getting skulls installed? At least I'll be the first to post pics I guess ;)

Skull locked

http://mak.zopelabs.com/hhr/dscf0015.jpg

Skull unlocked

http://mak.zopelabs.com/hhr/dscf0016.jpg

What I did:
1. Have 9 year old son select replacement knobs. He thought the skulls looked cool. Red car, red eyed skulls. Sure I says, mom will kill us though. Even cooler says son.
2. Take off stock knobs with visegrips. So long stock knobs. Well, now I'm stuck with something aftermarket for sure.
3. Find that serrated rods have enough metal to thread for 8/32 aftermarket knobs. Nice. So get out the ole tap and die set.
4. Thread the rods.
5. Install skull knobs. Hrmm.. too long.. They still look like they are unlocked when in the locked position. I want them to at least sit flush when locked. Could take off the door panel and shorten the rods from the bottom. Nah..
6. Take off the skulls, cut rods by 1/4".
7. Rethread rods again.
8. Install skulls again.
9. Take pics and enjoy my skulls.

:laughabov :laughabov :laughabov

Look cool
shame they dont light up when they lock

Well, could I have beat the ole Captn at getting skulls installed? At least I'll be the first to post pics I guess ;)

Skull locked

http://mak.zopelabs.com/hhr/dscf0015.jpg

Skull unlocked

http://mak.zopelabs.com/hhr/dscf0016.jpg

What I did:
1. Have 9 year old son select replacement knobs. He thought the skulls looked cool. Red car, red eyed skulls. Sure I says, mom will kill us though. Even cooler says son.
2. Take off stock knobs with visegrips. So long stock knobs. Well, now I'm stuck with something aftermarket for sure.
3. Find that serrated rods have enough metal to thread for 8/32 aftermarket knobs. Nice. So get out the ole tap and die set.
4. Thread the rods.
5. Install skull knobs. Hrmm.. too long.. They still look like they are unlocked when in the locked position. I want them to at least sit flush when locked. Could take off the door panel and shorten the rods from the bottom. Nah..
6. Take off the skulls, cut rods by 1/4".
7. Rethread rods again.
8. Install skulls again.
9. Take pics and enjoy my skulls.

Yup you beat me to it. :red: Bad ass bro! :bow: :beer:

Have you guys seen these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHROME-SKULL-BILLET-ANTENNA-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4637025 876QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Don't know if it would work on a HHR. The base looks like others I looked at that weren't really universal. Thought you might like to see it though.

Nice find. At 18" though I'd be half afraid of the wind catching that sucker and slammin it down on the moonroof.

They do have some other things that may be worth considering though..
Skull automatic shift knob. Wonder if this would work in the HHR..

http://www.sharantiques.com/autoskullshft.jpg

Pretty cool exhaust tip.. Pair this with an IMCO muffler and.. hrmm..

http://www.sharantiques.com/web/skulltip2.jpg

Right on our website:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Door%20locks/3views.jpg

Just completed the door lock knob mod.... Woooo Hoooo !!!