Please descride the ride and handling changes if any after lowering the HHR........


Joe

I'll let the people who have actually lowered their HHR field this question but I had to add my :2cents: . I thought about lowering my HHR and then the reality of how crappy and pot hole filled our roads are set in. :eek: I didn't have much luck the last time I lowered a vehicle so I'm worried about lowering my HHR. :scared:

For me, driving old pieces of crap all my life, even with my HHR lowered, it's still a nice ride!
Slightly stiffer is all I have noticed in my case. I tend to drive a bit slower and more cautious over stuff now. Heck, whats the big rush to get anywhere anyways!
I'm getting there cool and in style!

The ride is still pretty good. The handling is the same if not better in the corner. As is with any vehicle once you lower it the ride suffers a little. When I first lowered it I didn't notice it at all. Now, after 4 months I can tell when I hit a pot hole or bump in the road. Also when going down a street that has a wavy feel to it. Over all out of the 8 lowered vehicles I owned, my HHR has the best ride.:thumb:

It is stiffer and doesn't roll as much in the corners but its a little bouncy at times. Still no rubbing though..

I just lowered mine today. I've noticed less "squat" when accelerating and also less "nose-diving" during hard-braking. Seems to be less body roll when cornering but, I've haven't tried to hard yet (had to much stuff sliding around in the back). The overall ride is still nice but, can seem a bit bouncier. This is my first lowered car so I don't have any experiences to compare it to.

At first I thought about putting the orginal springs back in because it seemed too stiff and bouncy. Decided I would drive my 3/4 truck for a few days then switch back to the HHR. Problem solved, don't even notice it anymore.

My point it will most certain ride stiffer after lowering and you will notice it, you will get used to and it's still a damm smooth ride. Cornering, accellation, braking and LOOKS will all be greatly improved. If a smooth ride it the most improtant thing to you don't lower it. If you would like to improve braking, cornering, driving on windy days and like the look I'd say go for it.

Its a mod you can make for under $300 and it is reversable so if you change you mind you can always pull'em out and sell'em on Ebay.

With the Gold Lines installed, the ride quality degraded a notch, but the trade-off was less squat and dive, and noticeably less body roll in corners. With over 5" of ground clearance, most speedbumps were easily handled, and the car's short overhangs allow one to still negotiate driveways.

However... The addition of 18x8 wheels and 245/40-18 tires (a +1 from the factory wheels, same overall diameter) hinders the ride quality to "barely civil" status. The wheels/tires certainly look good on a lowered car, but the tradeoff is a harsh ride.

After installing the gold lines I was shocked that the ride quality was still as smooth as original (on a normal road). But on a rough road you will notice a difference. On large dips you WILL bottom out which will give you a sudden jounce although not hard, and on a washboard road you will get a slight bounce, but not jarring. All in all I think I can live with it....but this may change soon. -Dan :D

Goldlines + 18x8 wheels. Rides smooth as long as the road is likewise. You have to slowdown on bumps and avoiding any kind of potholes is a must regardless. I commute 70 miles roundtrip to work every day. The ride doesn't bother me but I'm biased, I'm all about looks :smile:

Ng

....but this may change soon. -Dan :D

It better Dan! :lol: :D :lol: :thumb:

It better Dan! :lol: :D :lol: :thumb:

Just give me through the weekend :thumb: :D

smooth on nice roads.... quiet , (with the right tires)
bumps and dips... you have to watch for...

after reading Wills comment I'm starting to think I should just look for 17's.When its really bumpy it makes my legs trip out so I don't want to have harsh ride..

I just ordered my tires on Friday. Finally decided to go with 17's after much debating. While 18's look great on the HHR, the sacrifice in ride quality is just not worth it for me. (Remember; I've been riding on very cushy 16's for the past 6-months!)

NG - it was your comments to AIRDHHR that sealed the deal for me:

"I have 18's and potholes and manhole covers seem like craters, so I know you have to be paranoid driving around town."

I just ordered my tires on Friday. Finally decided to go with 17's after much debating. While 18's look great on the HHR, the sacrifice in ride quality is just not worth it for me. (Remember; I've been riding on very cushy 16's for the past 6-months!)

NG - it was your comments to AIRDHHR that sealed the deal for me:

"I have 18's and potholes and manhole covers seem like craters, so I know you have to be paranoid driving around town."

Yep...When I drive to work I'm on the look out for any small potholes or manhole covers! They hurt! But you can't beat the looks of 18's - 20's...

Ng

I don't know why - but it seems in Murrieta/Temecula we have more than our fair share of them too! Should have my new 17's on tomorrow....

So what wheels did you go with? Or are you going to do an HVROD? :lol:

Ng

after reading Wills comment I'm starting to think I should just look for 17's.When its really bumpy it makes my legs trip out so I don't want to have harsh ride..

Today, I ran over $0.73 worth of change on the road, a granite chip, and two quartz crystals. Yes, it's that firm!

For comparison's sake, in my Chrysler 300C (225/60-18 tires): "Did I just pass Georgia?"

So what wheels did you go with? Or are you going to do an HVROD? :lol:

Ng

Dis a wons:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Hidden%20Pics/Riax_Fontana_Front.jpg

Dis a wons:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Hidden%20Pics/Riax_Fontana_Front.jpg

Ooooohhhh, AAAaaaahhhhh. I didn't realize you already bought them...oh snap it's a photoshop! Fool me once....:lol:

Ng

Dis a wons:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Hidden%20Pics/Riax_Fontana_Front.jpg


Dat a vewy nice wheer, wound-eye!

Ahhhh, sank ewe vewy mush, vewy mush! http://www.wolfpackcc.com/forum/images/smilies/encore.gif