Looking on KYB website they list nothing for the HHR SS or even the cobalt SS. Is there are reason for this?

Or is it better just to go back and do factory FE5 shocks and struts with the Eibach springs.

 

Yeah, the reason is....they don't make anything that is an exact replacement

Kidding aside......without stepping up to about $1000+, as far as I know no aftermarket manufacturer produces an exact SS replacement. You COULD purchase the aftermarket KYB but that is a level FE3. It would be a reduction of handling for the SS.

So, OEM SS replacement is the only other direction.....about $450...struts and shocks....plus labor, if you don't do it.

 

Koni is what you want, much better products than KYB...

 

And yet no one who own an SS has ever said they installed them and they work better than stock. The SS suspension is different than other HHRs and once you install them you can't put the stock one's back in so if they don't work, then what?

Ira

 

"The SS suspension is different than other HHRs and once you install them you can't put the stock one's back in"

Please explain more on this....

 

Sleeper.....

I think he mis-spoke just a little. He may have been referring to the Koni replacement struts. You will need to "brutalize/cut" the OEM's to get the Koni's to fit........they are mostly a cartridge type fit....IIRC

But I too, would like to hear his explanation. And he was a little harsh in his criticizm (by the way, I believe JoeR has installed them in his 2lt HHR. He told me they are absolutely great.........but again the expense and extra effort needed for the install SHOULD warrant better/outstanding performance).

 

Snoopy- Thank U.. Always the voice of good reasoning..

 

You will see on the Cobalt SS sites, owners know and recommend the Konis over the FE5 struts. You can also adjust the dampening rate, which dials in your setup better than "one adjustment for all"

 

My understanding is the front struts are different, the SS rides lower and the modified the strut to accomplish that. I'm not trying to be harsh, but the answer here from someone who didn't say if he own's an SS or not is the first answer from anyone but TurboTechRacing who just keeps repeating the mantra, Koni's are better and he makes $100 if I buy them so he's not someone I trust. And why he says that something that a Cobalt owner is happy with should make an HHR owner happy is beyond me, we're talking shocks and those two cars likely have different needs for optimal suspension.

The rear shock on my Buell cost about as much as a set of Koni's for an HHR, the set of shocks for my Z28 cost over $900. Both of those sellers knew exactly what I drove and made shocks for those applications. The HHR SS when brand new handled really well so improving much it will likely take shocks someone's spent time developing for the SS. I'm not saying the Koni's aren't it, I just don't feel like being the guinea pig.

Ira

Ira

 

We have sold many sets to the HHR members of the Konis, you would be far from the guinea pig... These have been installed in cobalts and HHRs for about 5 years now.