Just to let everyone know, I E-mailed KYB asking them if their replacement strut is like the "soft-ride" standard HHR strut or the "sport" strut that is on the 2LT models. KYB says that their only available HHR strut has the damping rate of the factory "sport" struts.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve,
I am on the fence on buying a set of the kyb's, I was emailing KYB for a year and a half waiting for them to be realesed, people on this site have said KYB are no good but i haven't seen one person with them installed, I have a 2lt with goldlines, and was ready to buy the kyb's when they came out but I am not sure now. I haven't seen anybody on this forum that have used them yet, with or without lowering springs. If anybody has installed them please fill the rest of us in on how they perform and if your HHR is lowered or not.

 

I have no experience with them in an HHR, obviously, but I have a lot of experience with them in other vehicles.

I have 2 sports cars using adjustable KYB shocks and a truck using non-adjustable shocks and the ride improvement has been great. The sports cars beat the shocks terribly since we have stiff springs and race them in addition to lots of street driving and they have performed perfectly for years.

When I need shocks in the HHR they will be what I am installing in mine.

 

I feel the same way 09 Panel, I have also used KYB on another front wheel drive GM car that was lowered and really like them, but some people on this forum have really bashed KYB, I cant affored the Koni's and don't really need ajustables for a daily driver.

 

I don't know about how they ride on the HHR. However I just this morning spent 3 hours installing a set on my wife's car and the ride is now very impressive. I was able to buy them on Ebay and saved $90 which included shipping. I checked around when I bought these and they got good reviews.

I will point out though that my HHR is lowered and when I replace it's shocks I'm gonna use the HHR SS shocks. Only performance ones I know of at a reasonable price.

 

Hi, I just lowered my HHR with the Goldlines and I used KYB struts and shocks for it and it rides really nice. I also have my tires filled with nitrogen, so that makes a difference too. It is way better than stock.

 

If KYB says they're the same as the stock struts, why replace the stock ones?

 

Same valving and stiffness, replacement would be because the OEM shocks would be worn out and need replacing. Even replacing with an aftermarket shock with the same specs the aftermarket shock should last longer than the stock unit since they will be of better construction.

 

Thanks for the useful info, finally someone that installed the KYB's.

 

No problem. I have probably drove about 150 miles on them already and they seem to work just fine. I have only had it lowered since 03/20/09. I will try to get pics up of what it looks like.