Fabricating Rear Air Suspension
 

Well, I'm in the pursuit of getting my ride height as low as physically possible. In doing so i have gone through a couple variations of rear suspensions.

First I started off using the stock 2-link (rear axle using only two mounting locations), and replacing the springs with air bags. This kind of worked, but the stock 2-link results in the wheels swinging to the front of the wheel wells when you lower it. This sort of movement is inevitable with a 2-link suspension.

Next I modified a stock rear axle by cutting off the hub plate, and welding on a new plate. This moved the hub up and back, allowing for the wheel to be centered in the wheel well when the ride height is lowered, but caused the wheel to swing to the back of the wheel well as it is raised up.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../hub_plate.jpg

After my failed attempts to make a stock-ish setup work, i have decided to go all out. I have began fabricating a 6-link setup with a straight axle. It will consist of a rear mounted parallel 4-link, and two front link bars using the stock mounting locations. This will ensure that the axle stays centered in the wheel well throughout it's cycle up and down. It may be hard to understand without visuals, but it shouldn't be too long before i have it all mocked up, I'm still waiting on parts to arrive.

Fabricating the brackets to fit the stock location
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../8/bracket.jpg

Test fitting
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/8/hanger.jpg

I figured i might as well do a disc brake conversion too
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...9/5/8/disc.jpg

Nice work. Six link set up, nice. Just keeps getting sicker and sicker. Lol

That is some nice work man!!!! Gonna be good to see the finished project.

Nice , now just get us couch riders up to date with pictures please!

Nice work can't wait to see the finished product,,,, I'm looking to to Brembo brakes and rear disk but need to find complete axle

Thanks guys, more progress will be coming soon, more parts are arriving on Monday. Today i made the driver side bracket for the disc break setup, just gotta replicate it for the passenger side. After test fitting everything, i think i'm gonna narrow the rear axle a few more inches to allow for lower offset wheels.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../layed_out.jpg

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../mocked_up.jpg

I started to cut out the floor of my donor HHR, getting ready to mock everything up. I plan on building two setups, so both of my rides will have the same suspension, so this one isn't getting hacked up for no reason. Next i gotta build a rear "frame" to mount everything to, and start making linkages.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../cuttin_up.jpg

Keep those pictures coming, to cold up here to do that kind of work!

Lunchbox- wicked set up you are building there man !!!! :twothumbs:

Lunchbox, that's coming out SICK! Im debating on bagging my hhr or just static. But is my daily so I'm leaning towards static.

My other ride:

Attachment 23065

DZL1.