I have been reading through almost all the posts on lowering for a few days, and I don't really see where people are changing out their struts and shocks after lowering their HHRs?

up to an inch is usually not a problem with stock stuff, but it seems everyone is going well over an inch drop on here.

who has had their lowering springs put in, and has a bunch of miles on their stock struts, and hasn't blown them out or caused them to leak?

going that radical with a sping and not matching it to your shocks is not giving you anywhere near the maximum benefits of the drop because the valving is just not set up for that situation

I'm just looking for some feedback here

you can go way more than an inch with no issue..mines only 1.75 inches lower..many goldline kits installed and no issues..id be more prone to blowing my struts with the garbage roads I drive on more than the lowering job..ive built a few airbag slammers in my day so far and yes..if you are really SLAMMIN it..you would have to go another route but for the mild drop it accually is..1.75 front..2.75 back..no different than drivin around a load of fat guys to the local bar..your stocker will sit just as low with a good load in it..

Great subject there.... as long as you do not run into botttoming out issuses the shocks/ struts don't really care about static height, you'll only blow them when you hit either limit or over work them...as the travel on this system isn't really alll that much its not likely to happen. Havent read of anybody blowing them yet beacuse of lowering. Now... there have been many reports of shock/strut failure from leaking, both stock and modified. Word is ths stockers just don't hold up..period. Now the notso good newsyour replacement selection is very very narrow.. there are no aftermarket parts for the SS unles you want to dive into the high dollar pieces..we are alll waiting for some company to step up on this...KYB makes a replacement for the non ss...Koni carries them but high dollar..fedders and KW make coil over setups.. Monroe covers stock non ss...
Ive got about 10k on the LS thats lowered..nothing bad to report , had a rear shock leaking prior to lowering, its holding up considering the leak. Never had it bottom out yet either.......

who has had their lowering springs put in, and has a bunch of miles on their stock struts, and hasn't blown them out or caused them to leak?

Me.

Installed 2nd gen GLs at 24K, now at 48K w/o any problems.

I have been on SS SC cobalt springs for about a year, and 20,000 miles struts and shocks are fine for now, but soon or later I know they are going to fail.

Great subject there.... as long as you do not run into botttoming out issuses the shocks/ struts don't really care about static height, you'll only blow them when you hit either limit or over work them... that is exactly why I mentioned this subject, because now over an inch has been taken out of the total travel of the components, so it would be easier to bottom one of them out.......

I do want to buy some drop springs but the aftermarket really isn't supporting the HHR in this area (shocks/struts) so I'm a bit concerned about it, not to forget that when shocks and springs aren't balanced with each other you aren't getting the best out of each component

maybe I just have to realize that that my HHR is just a cheap DD that I originally bought as a winter beater, and not like my other toys so I have to let some things slide

you also have to remember..if u want to play..you have to pay..one way or another..if u can afford to buy unneeded toys and trinkits for your car/truck/boat/quad whathaveyou...you should also be prepared to pay for the aftermath that follows///every mod leads to another..struts dont last forever anyway..I know my Canadian roads suck on a good day..100 000kms is really pushin it for struts on any car around here...really glad im not in Hamilton On anymore..new struts every week...lol

you also have to remember..if u want to play..you have to payI couldn't agree with you more, but that's why when I do something, I like to spend the money upfront and do it properly the first time.

I don't like to try and cut corners just to save a buck upfront, just so it will end up costing me more down the road because I was too cheap, or just too stupid to get the proper infor before I start on a project

Nobody has reported any bottoming out issues...the springs are strong enuf that this doesn't happen..besides you have a spring cup rubber bumper that restricts movement before you get to the shocks internal bumpers ( on the rear). Ive had 4 people in my LS with no problems..even going thru grass parking lots and ditch's.. the wifey says shes never bottomed,shes a lead foot...there has been SO many people that have done this that I'd say you are 99% SAFE.....
I said as long as you don't run into thses issues...said that because everybody drives differently...couldn't tell somebody who lives in the woods and drives like LUKE that he won't have any problems..so the generic statement....doesn't mean you will, many have not.

sounds good enough for me

thanks