View Full Version : Progress Springs (low and dangerous????)


1HotHHR
10-30-2006, 11:57 AM
I just took off the Progress Lowering Springs that I purchased from So Call HHR. They bottomed out ALL the time and I was afraid that I would damage Harvey. AND YES I DO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A LOWERED CAR. I could not be too careful. Driving down hiway 5, bang, bang, klunk, klunk.
Has anybody else had this experience? Are you happy (really happy) with either Gold Line, Eibach or any other brands. Is the only way to be safe and low is air bags?

See ya down the road

Bud / Harvey

solman98
10-30-2006, 12:01 PM
Were they like that from day one?

SoCalHHR
10-30-2006, 12:45 PM
Sorry to hear about the problems Bud! We will take care of you as soon as the springs arrive here. It seems Progress "jumped the gun" a bit on getting their springs out - without proper testing.

As a side note; I'm running the Gold-Lines and they ride smooth as silk with no bottoming. Great spring rate, and smooth on the highway too! We have them in stock here now as well.

Best regards,

GDZHHR
10-30-2006, 02:44 PM
I'm very happy with the Gold Lines I've got. No problems like you mentioned until after I added a big sub box and amps in the rear. Of course the only thing that's scraping are my side-pipes which are lower still, so no pipes, ne scraping at all.

hvrod
10-30-2006, 03:03 PM
Gold line work good
but you will , like us all have problems with the shocks bottoming out ..
The normal travel of the shock is dimished in the lowering process.

solman98
10-30-2006, 03:12 PM
Gold line work good
but you will , like us all have problems with the shocks bottoming out ..
The normal travel of the shock is dimished in the lowering process.

Do they have drop shocks for the HHR? I know I had them on my truck. Definately needed.:D

SoCalHHR
10-30-2006, 03:48 PM
Drop shocks won't cure the problem on the HHR.
You will simply bottom the travel in the rear as the coils stack.

We have been working with Monroe & Gabriel for a while trying to get replacement struts made (and shorter versions for lowered HHR's)....hopefully it will happen eventually!

hogwild
10-30-2006, 06:50 PM
Ive had no problemes with my Progress springs! All lowered cars have problems some more than others. The HHR is about average to me.

O6ChevyHHR
10-30-2006, 07:42 PM
i am going the the Ebiach Springs!

CHV_FRK
10-31-2006, 03:35 AM
Gezz... You're going nuts on that thing! We'll still have to meet up sometime.

I'm very happy with the Gold Lines I've got. No problems like you mentioned until after I added a big sub box and amps in the rear. Of course the only thing that's scraping are my side-pipes which are lower still, so no pipes, ne scraping at all.

SCOOT
10-31-2006, 08:23 AM
I could not be too careful. Driving down hiway 5, bang, bang, klunk, klunk.
Has anybody else had this experience? Are you happy (really happy) with either Gold Line, Eibach or any other brands.


Did you (or your installer) trim the bump stops??? This would DEFINITELY contribute to the klunking. Just curious...
As for me- I'm running, as most are, the GoldLines... and yes, I too know how/have been driving lowered cars for many years (on terrible Michigan roads).
IMO, the GoldLines/OEM shocks combo creates a 'pogo-effect', or stated differently- it lacks dampening. That's not a complaint, although it could be a little better- but I realize it's not going to happen with anything OEM. Couldn't beat it for the price (installed myself) and it DOESN'T BOTTOM (klunk) that much at all!!! Then again, I don't have an extra couple hundred puonds in stereo equipment in my ride, nor is it common for me to tote around more than 1 passenger (although I HAVE carted quite a bit of supplies around the state- WITHOUT problem).
Maybe the spring rates you got a just a bit softer than what your used to???

1HotHHR
10-31-2006, 01:45 PM
Up date. Progress is going to take the springs back, since they have said that they need to redesign them. So thank GOD is wasn't all me just thinking I had a problem, there really was one. So I'm going to be looking into the air bag system SoCalHHRs has and hope to have it maybe by mid 2007. Many thanks for all the info from the HHR family and friends. And yes the bump stops where trimmed.

See ya down the road

Bud / Harvey

mr.bungle
10-31-2006, 03:18 PM
ok, i know its not an HHR but i drove this low for almost 5 years. just learn to be aware of your surroundings and driveways. or.... raise it up. if it is a manufacturer problem, that stinks. but low is the way to go. as low as you can get it, oil pan scraping botz dots. i love it!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/triturd/tat012.jpg