Just to let everyone know, I E-mailed KYB asking them if their replacement strut is like the "soft-ride" standard HHR strut or the "sport" strut that is on the 2LT models. KYB says that their only available HHR strut has the damping rate of the factory "sport" struts.

Steve

Thanks Steve,
I am on the fence on buying a set of the kyb's, I was emailing KYB for a year and a half waiting for them to be realesed, people on this site have said KYB are no good but i haven't seen one person with them installed, I have a 2lt with goldlines, and was ready to buy the kyb's when they came out but I am not sure now. I haven't seen anybody on this forum that have used them yet, with or without lowering springs. If anybody has installed them please fill the rest of us in on how they perform and if your HHR is lowered or not.

I have no experience with them in an HHR, obviously, but I have a lot of experience with them in other vehicles.

I have 2 sports cars using adjustable KYB shocks and a truck using non-adjustable shocks and the ride improvement has been great. The sports cars beat the shocks terribly since we have stiff springs and race them in addition to lots of street driving and they have performed perfectly for years.

When I need shocks in the HHR they will be what I am installing in mine.

I feel the same way 09 Panel, I have also used KYB on another front wheel drive GM car that was lowered and really like them, but some people on this forum have really bashed KYB, I cant affored the Koni's and don't really need ajustables for a daily driver.

I don't know about how they ride on the HHR. However I just this morning spent 3 hours installing a set on my wife's car and the ride is now very impressive. I was able to buy them on Ebay and saved $90 which included shipping. I checked around when I bought these and they got good reviews.

I will point out though that my HHR is lowered and when I replace it's shocks I'm gonna use the HHR SS shocks. Only performance ones I know of at a reasonable price.

Hi, I just lowered my HHR with the Goldlines and I used KYB struts and shocks for it and it rides really nice. I also have my tires filled with nitrogen, so that makes a difference too. It is way better than stock.

If KYB says they're the same as the stock struts, why replace the stock ones?

Same valving and stiffness, replacement would be because the OEM shocks would be worn out and need replacing. Even replacing with an aftermarket shock with the same specs the aftermarket shock should last longer than the stock unit since they will be of better construction.

Hi, I just lowered my HHR with the Goldlines and I used KYB struts and shocks for it and it rides really nice. I also have my tires filled with nitrogen, so that makes a difference too. It is way better than stock.

Thanks for the useful info, finally someone that installed the KYB's.

Thanks for the useful info, finally someone that installed the KYB's.

No problem. I have probably drove about 150 miles on them already and they seem to work just fine. I have only had it lowered since 03/20/09. I will try to get pics up of what it looks like.

HHR Boutique has a company that takes the KYB rear shocks and shortens them so the shorter springs dont fall out when you put the car on a lift. I ordered them and am waiting to have them delivered. But I am sick and tired of having to hold my springs in place when the car is lowered from the lift. The shorter shocks will keep the springs in place. I will report back once I get them in.

Nitrogen will have no effect on ride quality other then the variences in air pressure which if you didn't know what they were ( as in watching the DIC TPM's ) you would never notice.....other wise how did you ever drive so long on 25lbs of air before you realised it? I see this everyday..especially in the cold months.

according to a tire guy i know nitrogen inflation is just something tire places are doing now to make you feel better about your purchase. does nitrogen make a difference on a track.... yes because the fluctuation of track temp will affect the handling of those expensive tires. on the road. you will not notice any real difference.

I figure it cant hurt, plus the green valve covers they give you look REAL COOL!

Do aftermarket shocks (for you 2LT guys with StabiliTrak) create/cause any ESC / Traction Control weirdness?

It's my only nightmare when considering strut replacement.

No, I have not had any problems at all from switching them out.

I have been running KYBs for about a year. I am at stock height in the front and have nothing bad to say about the struts at all. I plan on using KYB shocks in the back shortly since I am at over 70K miles and figure it is about time.

KYBs are stock replacement for the 2LT but would be a slight upgrade for the LS or 1LT.

If you want stiffer than that stock SS might be a better choice. They will cost you more, at least for new ones.

I have them on my lowered (Eibach Pro Kit with 20 inch Rims) 06 HHR 1 LT and I love them much better than my stock set-up ! I would definetly buy again ! I also have traction control and have no issues at all with them .Good luck I know you will be happy if you buy them:thumb:

I just ordered the KYB struts and the GoldLine springs and just waiting on them to be delivered. Will let you guys know how it works out for me.

Now when Lee3333 said you have to hold your springs when the car is on a lift, what do you mean by that? Does that mean when I install the lowering springs they will fall off when it's on a lift?

Look into the Cobalt SS FE5 struts guys. You'll be even happier. Especially those on lowering springs.

Now when Lee3333 said you have to hold your springs when the car is on a lift, what do you mean by that? Does that mean when I install the lowering springs they will fall off when it's on a lift?

Bet he took out either the upper or lower pads/locaters. Nobody other than him has reported this issue. :roll:

Me thinks he has not a clue, from many past posts. Sorry. :lol:

Thanks Joe, had me debating on lowering it there for a second.

FWIW, my opinion on aftermarket shocks
1. Edelbrock performer IAS
2. Bilsteins
3. KYB

I have had all 3 on lowered vehicles ( trucks ) as well as the Edelbrocks on my Z71 Avalanche. I don't know if we can even get the first 2 for the HHR. The KYBs were a huge improvement over stock, with the Bilsteins falling half way between the KYBs and Edelbrocks.

Bet he took out either the upper or lower pads/locaters. Nobody other than him has reported this issue. :roll:

Me thinks he has not a clue, from many past posts. Sorry. :lol:

Thanks for the kind words, Joe. Actually, I do have a clue. No, I did not remove the pad locators. (My HHR is a 2006 and may not have had them from the factory, but all I took out were the springs.) And yes, I have spoken to others that have springs fall out with lower springs. To put it simple enough for you to understand, the shocks keep the suspension from dropping. When you have shorter springs, then the stock length shock allows the rear to drop enough for the spring to fall out. People with many vehicles have this problem when they lower their cars-not just HHR's. They even sell limiting straps designed to keep the suspension from dropping too low. The shorter shocks have solved the problem for me and countless others.

I just installed the KYB's with the Goldline springs and the ride has improved alot. Have no complains about either one.

I filled my tires with helium for that " light on it's feet" feeling.

Burnouts are very high pitched.

Hey Franco Fanfuria,

How are your KYB, Goldine setup doing after a month? Is there a big improvement over the stock struts? Did you have the oil or gas filled oem struts to begin with?