View Full Version : Progressive OR Linear???


watty19
09-04-2006, 04:02 PM
Hey i was trying to find out if the Progressives, Eibach's and Goldline springs were a progressive or linear spring??? If you guys coulld help me out it would be much appreciated!

watty19
09-05-2006, 01:37 AM
bump....anyone??

SCOOT
09-05-2006, 10:56 AM
All the coils are PRO-rated (progressive). If you look at stock vs. aftermarket coils, they *should* have the same amount (or number) of coils... just that some are closer together than others (which results in a lower ride height and overall stiffer ride). As for the pro-rate side of it... as the coil wrappings get smaller (toward the top and bottom of the spring) the coils naturally ('progressively') get closer together.
Just for comparison sake - Linear rate springs would have equal spacing between the coils... something you might typically find on a coil-over set-up (that's fully adjustable).
Hope it helps!
:thumb:

watty19
09-05-2006, 01:24 PM
Thanks scoot thats doea help a little. I got ahold of eibach via. email and they confirmed there springs for the hhr are progressive...So i think im going to go with eibach .....

SCOOT
09-05-2006, 02:41 PM
Thanks scoot thats doea help a little. I got ahold of eibach via. email and they confirmed there springs for the hhr are progressive...So i think im going to go with eibach .....
Glad to help...
Good name, good product... and not too low (i.e. Goldlines). It's all about what YOU like/want. Be sure to check out the "How-to" section for info on how to install yourself- if your up to the task. It's about 7.0 wrenches for most on the "Wrench Scale" (with 1 wrench = easy ... 10 wrenches = Let a Pro do it). For your average 'weekend garage mechanic' (with pneumatic tools)... it's about a "5.0" and about 3-4 hours long (at most).
Happy motoring :thumb:

SoCalHHR
09-05-2006, 02:44 PM
Actually the bottom line is: what springs work well on the HHR. We have been through all of the current offerings and the top seller is still the Gold-Lines. I have several customers who had Eibach's on their rides and still switched over to GL.

The current springs from Progress are progressive wound and work very poorly. The bottom 5-coils are stacked and touching even sitting still! They bottom on every bump & pothole as well. That is just not a good progressive design (no pun inteneded).

Here is a pic of the Progress springs installed. You can see how little room for movement there is (yep, the bottom 5 coils are touching!):

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

In comparison, the Gold-Line springs, while more of a linear design, offer much more travel (and much better ride quality):

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Hidden%20Pics/Springs_COmpressed.JPG

So to say a particular spring "design" works better is not always the right answer. There are many other components that need to be factored in, like srping rate, ride height, available travel, etc., as these all work together to give you the final "ride."

Hope it helps,

61belair
09-12-2006, 01:08 PM
Actually the bottom line is: what springs work well on the HHR. We have been through all of the current offerings and the top seller is still the Gold-Lines. I have several customers who had Eibach's on their rides and still switched over to GL.

The current springs from Progress are progressive wound and work very poorly. The bottom 5-coils are stacked and touching even sitting still! They bottom on every bump & pothole as well. That is just not a good progressive design (no pun inteneded).

Here is a pic of the Progress springs installed. You can see how little room for movement there is (yep, the bottom 5 coils are touching!):

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

In comparison, the Gold-Line springs, while more of a linear design, offer much more travel (and much better ride quality):

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Hidden%20Pics/Springs_COmpressed.JPG

So to say a particular spring "design" works better is not always the right answer. There are many other components that need to be factored in, like srping rate, ride height, available travel, etc., as these all work together to give you the final "ride."

Hope it helps,


You don't mention any of the drawbacks of a linear spring in this particular design. Such as having to possibly use a smaller wire with more pitch to achieve the lowering and spring rate, means having more stress on the spring as it settles to stock ride height and beyond, as the suspension compresses. This can cause over-stress, fatigue, settling. I'm not saying this will happen but it can.

SoCalHHR
09-12-2006, 01:44 PM
My post is not concerning spring designs "in general" - but rather designs specific to the HHR. There is no drawback to linear in the HHR application. The Gold-Lines have been through 4 sets of prototyping/testing phases before being released. They offer the best ride quality currently available for HHRs and it is a much smoother ride than most lowered vehicles I've owned or ridden in.

BTW - Nice username! I owned a '57 Bel Air and a '63 Biscayne! (and a '58 Apache...and a '50 Willy's...and a...)

61belair
09-12-2006, 04:45 PM
thank you. I just bought a 07 hhr this past sunday and can't wait to start modifying it. Its really my wifes car but she's kewl with me doing some basic mods like lowering and wheels. Yours looks very nice. How long have you had it?

dan-d
09-12-2006, 05:48 PM
watty19, what part of Florida are you in. If your close to central Florida I would be more than happy to help you with your spring install. I can vouch for the Gold Lines providing the best drop (for me) while at the same time keeping the ride almost stock like without the body roll in corners. -Dan

BTW: If you are fairly close we're having a g2g at my place this Saturday. Your welcome to come. The thread on it is here: http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3748

HHR DLYT
09-12-2006, 07:28 PM
Wow, those Progress spring pix look very familiar.....:lol:

Also, in case you might be wondering that is not a picture of MY hand :nuts:

SoCalHHR
09-12-2006, 07:37 PM
How long have you had it?

About a year now...I was one of the first adopters.

I also own THIS (http://www.socalhhrs.com) company. In case you hadn't figured that out yet. ;)

Have fun and enjoy! :thumb:

SoCalHHR
09-12-2006, 07:38 PM
Also, in case you might be wondering that is not a picture of MY hand :nuts:

That's a scary thought Becky! :lol:

(BTW- the Gold-Lines shown are on my (with the CLEAN undercarriage) car!). :D

cowboybornlate
09-13-2006, 12:18 AM
How DO you keep that underside so clean Mike? I will be under mine this weekend changing the oil but I'm sure it's no where near as clean as yours!!! lol

SoCalHHR
09-13-2006, 12:22 AM
That was on a "dirty day" too! :red:

My HHR kinda gets "special treatment" around here since it is the shop's "rolling billboard." :lol:

61belair
09-13-2006, 03:38 PM
About a year now...I was one of the first adopters.

I also own THIS (http://www.socalhhrs.com) company. In case you hadn't figured that out yet. ;)

Have fun and enjoy! :thumb:

Where in Cali are you? I'm in Rancho Cucamonga

SoCalHHR
09-13-2006, 04:30 PM
We are in Murrieta, about 30-mins south of the 91 out of Corona (take 15 South).