One of the biggest things that annoy me is the door locks sticking into the bottom of my arm whenever I want to rest my arm out the door. Anyone know of anyway we can replace them. Some good billet ones would look nice. Socal You should make some!! :) I might be the only one but I would buy them in a second. What would be perfect is a lock that when locked (down) would be totally plush with the top of the door and when unlocked itd be up a bit.

You are so right. I almost ripped my leather jacket on them trying to use the ATM machine at my bank.

Anyone know of anyway we can replace them.

Unscrew the old ones and screw the new ones on. Aftermarket door lock pulls aren't going to help the door lock location and I'm sure most of the aftermarket ones are going to stick up just as high if not higher. You can go to any local auto store and find aftermarket door lock pulls. I'm about to put some skull ones on my HHR. ;)

If you just made the lock shorter itd have to go all the way down. only thing it really depends on is how far it needs to be threaded. I'm gonna take one of mine out in the morning. as long as the screw doesnt go all the way up outside of the door it could be done if the locks were found

You are probably going to have to use pliers or something. I have tried to get them off by hand but it doesn't work. I think they put a bead of Loctite on the shaft. If your not happy with the height of them why dont you take the pulls off and shorten the threaded rod untill they go down far enough for you and then reattach the pulls. :confused: Thats the only way I can think of making them go down in the door more. ;)

If they are electronically operated, you will never use the knobs, will you? Take the threaded portion out completely.

I stand corrected. :red: i just put in my speakers so I had the door panels off and I could not figure out how to get them off without damaging them. They are not your standard threaded rod screw in pull style. I have never seen anything like them. :confused:

They are not your standard threaded rod screw in pull style. I have never seen anything like them. :confused:

Care to elaborate Howdy? I have spoken to several people who have taken them off with pliers (ruining them as you said), and changed them. No one mentioned anything "wierd" about them.

What did you see? :eek:

I have to pull one of my door panels back off. I'll snap a pic.

I kinda wished the door locks were in a different spot. I guess there would have to be a mod to do

Here is what you will find:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/amarini/Picture182.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/amarini/Picture184.jpg
After looking at them I think I was right at first and they will come off with pliers but I don't think that anything aftermarket will fit them. :confused: They are a really small diameter. I'm kind of afraid to destroy the factory pulls trying. :( This out of a man who chopped up his grille to install a billet one. :roll: I guess I'll give it a shot to install my skull pulls. :beer:

Looks like a standard size door rod to me. I don't think GM would change a part like that to an "off" size. (I could be wrong though!). I will be doing a lock knob mod soon, so I'll let you know then.

Thanks for the pics! :thumb:

I can't wait socal.

It looks to me like the knobs are "press fit" onto the rod. If that's the case, you could stand a chance of ruining these 100% of the time. Me....although I don't do it often, I tried resting my arm on the door. Size does matter. Being compact (me, not the car), I had no problem with the lock although I did have to raise my seat almost to it's full travel height to get my elbow up there. Guess I'll be using the factory arm rests! ;)

It looks to me like the knobs are "press fit" onto the rod. If that's the case, you could stand a chance of ruining these 100% of the time.

That makes sense and makes me even more afraid to try removing them. :eek:

When I get home this afternoon. I'm gonna take a look.

You're going to have to pull the door panel off to see anything.

Come on, Howdy, no guts, no glory. Do it for the cause. Take a hacksaw to it and cut it about an inch up from that lower bend. If it doesn't work out, the guys in the machine shop can make you a piece that will put them back together again with set screws. What do you need the knobs for anyway? You have electric locks and never use the buttons. If the stock buttons are a pain, the skulls will be that much worse. :roll:

No problem. I gotta take it off sooner or later.

Come on, Howdy, no guts, no glory. Do it for the cause. Take a hacksaw to it and cut it about an inch up from that lower bend. If it doesn't work out, the guys in the machine shop can make you a piece that will put them back together again with set screws. What do you need the knobs for anyway? You have electric locks and never use the buttons. If the stock buttons are a pain, the skulls will be that much worse. :roll:

You're right I'm being a wimp. If I can chop up my grille I can hack up my locks. If it came down to it I could always chop the shaft to desired length and weld on a correct size piece of threaded rod for the new pulls or just have another one bent. I don't have a problem with the lock locations, I never rest my arm out the window. I learned to drive in a manual so I predominantly drive with my left arm out of instinct. If I do rest it its on the door arm rest. Even though I drive an auto I find my hand resting on the shifter anyways. I love the 50's hot rod look so skull pulls are perfect! :thumb: If I didn't think the HHR was easy enough to turn I would put a skull suicide knob on it also, same with the shifter if it were manual. ;) I dont want to completely remove the pulls in case of the highly unlikely event of losing electric to the vehicle, I would hate to be stuck in my HHR. Also you would have holes in the door panel. Removing them might be a good option for Adam if he can live with the holes. :confused:

You are coming up with too many scuces, Lucy! :D

LOL! :D Ok, after I put in the sub and tweeters lock pulls are next! ;) Well maybe after blue dots. :beer:

I would pull them out but then I'd have that nasty hole. I'd just like some round billet with a flat top thatd even up with the door when it was locked.

That's what I figured. ;) I don't think anyone wants an open hole in their door panel. :confused:

http://www.dallasmustang.com/product_images/0007097.jpg
Something like that with a flat top that be flush I'd like.

I'm guessing you werent looking at these, but i thougth they were different

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/thehotrodgirl_1880_1502980

The heads and stuff are rubber. :)

NAh, - I'm bettin' CH was looking for something more like this:

http://blackholehwy.com/images/auto_access/skull_hdwr/skulldoorlocks_pair.jpg

:thumb:

Close! :beer: I like the Mr. Gasket ones:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/amarini/MR.jpg
I like my skulls without the crossbones. ;) The crossbones remind me too much of pirates. :D

OK; I pulled my lock knobs off and saw what you mean. The rod is not threaded as most usually are - instead, it has twisted self-cutting threads. It seems all you need to do is:

1) Remove the stock knobs

2) Put the lock rod up and cut it (with a Dremel tool), to about 1/4" above the door frame

3) Drill your new knobs out to the same size hole as the stock knobs.

4) Install the new knobs

Now that I've ruined my lock knobs, I'll have to locate something I like for replacements and will follow-up with a detailed install. I'm trying to find something that will give a nice "flush fit."

Will post more later...

Do you have a pic of it so far just to get an idea of what I'm dealing with? :confused: I have my mind set on installing skull locks. :beer:

Sure - wait a minute....here you go:

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/6/6/LockRodSm.jpg

This is what the HHR's door lock rod looks like. It is larger than a standard threaded door lock rod.
I'm fairly certain you could just drill any replacement knobs out to fit it.

Hope it helps,

Nasty! :eek: I wonder if it wouldn't just be easier to chop it and weld in a piece of the right size threaded rod. :confused:

Chevy sure is making it hard for us to do simple mods.

Just cut down the part of the threaded rod then reinstall the caps. I'd do it right now but they dont really bother me. Maybe if I get bored in the next couple days.

Just cut down the part of the threaded rod then reinstall the caps. I'd do it right now but they dont really bother me. Maybe if I get bored in the next couple days.

You can't get the top part off without destroying it.

You can't get the top part off without destroying it.

How do you figure it looks like a normal lock rod?

It's not standard threaded rod, trust me. Try unscrewing them. It's impossible to do.

Trust SoCal, he is the one who sacrificed a knob to bring us the photo and info. :bow: :beer:

Update: I just bought a new set of knobs and they look like a good fit. Can't get to it until tomorrow though - Mama just brought home a new bed for junior and I've got to put it together...."Oh, Honey!" :D

I will do a "cut down" mod tomorrow and try to get them flush. Will shoot pics and write up a quick "how to" to post.

See ya! :thumb:

I would love to have one's with Dice on top of it.

Another Annoying problem isthose cup holders.
Your jacket hangs down on your sticky coffee
cup or pop can? What were they thinking!!

How about the window open buttons in
the console? I still look for the window
button on the door everytime.

But I love my HHR! I am the bell of the ball
in Detroit!!!!! I am 5'6" and have the seat and
cushion tilted all the way and still need more
room. I feel sorry for taller people.

Anyone running on 91 Octane gas for their
2.4 liter?

Anyone running on 91 Octane gas for their
2.4 liter?

Don't get us started again! :D
http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=681
http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=461&page=1&pp=10

Don't get us started again! :D
http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=681
http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=461&page=1&pp=10

I am a newbie! I have 600 miles on my HHR 2.4 liter.
I am not running 91 Octane. I don't care what the
manual says. Gas is $2.26 a gallon in Detroit. :p:

Did you ever resolve that tranie stick issue?
I went out and looked myself. You guys
crack me up :confused:

I am a newbie! I have 600 miles on my HHR 2.4 liter.
I am not running 91 Octane. I don't care what the
manual says. Gas is $2.26 a gallon in Detroit. :p:

Welcome and that's cheaper than gas in Rochester! :beer:

Did you ever resolve that tranie stick issue?
I went out and looked myself. You guys
crack me up :confused:

There isn't one and we try! :D

I am a newbie! I have 600 miles on my HHR 2.4 liter.
I am not running 91 Octane. I don't care what the
manual says. Gas is $2.26 a gallon in Detroit. :p:

Did you ever resolve that tranie stick issue?
I went out and looked myself. You guys
crack me up :confused:

Ah shit, here we go again. The search function is your friend, think that's gonna be my new motto.

ROTFLMAO! :bow: :D :beer:

[QUOTE=captain howdy]Welcome and that's cheaper than gas in Rochester! :beer:




Everybody's cheaper than Rochester!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody's cheaper than Rochester!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm starting to realize that. :confused: :roll:

did anyone ever find any more info on this :(

Adam, I am still running around like this:

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/6/6/LockRodSm.jpg

Actually, I've cut mine off so they are below the door panel when closed. I'm still trying to come up with some replacement knobs, but as you can imagine, it has not been high on my list of priorities! I'm working on it though... ;)

I bet that hurts if you forget and put your arm up there. :poke:

Not since I cut them off. :cool:

lol. just checking. I don't mean to rush. And i got my antenna, I ordered it monday at work. thats FAST. :) Looks great!