Hardest part for me was jacking up the car enough to get the jack stands in place. First, I tried under the rear sway bar. But, could not get enough height from my jack (I think it needs hydrolic fluid). Next, I did it in front of the wheels, but needed to use 3 2x4's.



Once both sides were up, the springs came right out (the bump stops were what was holding the springs in).



The car went back together easyily afterward.



The car definitly feels a bit stiffer. I only drove it to the car show tonight, so will get a better taste of it tomorrow.

I did not cut anything off the bump stops, because I was not sure where. The diagram in the instructions shows rubber at the top, but there was hardly any on ours. The only place I could imagine would be the part that goes inside the spring, where if the spring fully compressed, it would hit the other end. But, I doubt the spring could/would compress that much. Hope not, anyways.



Matthew, my son, was a great assistant in getting the springs installed.

 

Looks good. Great job!

 

Looks good.

Something's definitely messed up with the jack. Should have been able to get more height than that.

Did you place the jack stands on the scissor jack flange?

 

Nope-seemed too narrow. I put them under the bolt by the reinforced part of the subframe. And I jacked up the car right in front of that bolt. Seemed to work great.

 

Looks great Lee!

Don't worry about cutting the stops with the leveling springs - it's not necessary. Well, now that you have dropped the back AND have the sway bar, you need to take it on some 270-degree onramps and see how she holds!

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for that info. I have not had an opportunity yet to look at places where jack stands can be safely used on the HHR; I've just been observing pics from folks here to get an idea where they are putting them.

 

Looks good Lee,

 

WELCOME TO THE LEVEL HHR CLUB!!!

Looks great...

 

I have been spoiled-remember I had a Datsun 280-Z with a full race suspension (lowered 2.5 inches, shorter steering knuckles, all bushings replaced with polyurethane, stiffes sway bar created, lightened with every replacable fiberglass panal created, rollcage, shock tower brace, etc). But, the HHR definitly feels pretty darn good. It is noticably stiffer now, but it doesnt bother me.

I am looking forward to getting 'Flash' onto the strip and making several runs-in D then I, and with exhaust open and closed. I used the G-Tech getting on a highway, and got a time of 16.05. This entrance lane had a curve and was slightly uphill, so I am hoping for mid to high 15's at the track. Plus, I will get to weigh the car.

I just got off the phone with Matt, and am still looking into the lighter pulleys. Then, if anybody produces a lighter hood, that should bring down the weight considerably. Matt is also looking into other power options.

On a side note, now that the car is lowered, do I need to take a new photo for my avatar?

 

car looks good lee, you did that in the middle of the street! lol