A little background, I replaced the front struts with Monroe Quick Struts a couple of weeks ago and noticed that I was getting some noise on certain bumps. I checked with another member here who had also done the same thing and his quick struts seemed okay so I contacted Monroe directly. Their tech support has given me this info:

"These Quick Struts are not recommended for the HHR because of this issue. They are only for the Cobalt. You can use the regular strut itself, but you will need either the OEM coil spring or an aftermarket equivalent spring to use on them."

So, parts places are selling a part the manufacturer does not recommend using on an application. I know others have used the QS's with success, this stuff seems to only happen to me!

Anybody else have the QS's and have you had any issues?

 

Interesting, did the tech go into the exact nature of the issue, is it a case of coil binding due to the extra weight of the HHR? I went with KYB shocks and struts when I did the '06 and '07, so I can't help you with any QS problems, but I'm curious as to what's going on.

 

The reason they are excluded is because the springs can catch on the inner fender well while turning in some cases. The spring is slightly different than OE and they are working on a different spring to use for the HHR, but there is no ETA on it. I wouldn't recommend leaving them on the vehicle with the issues you are having.

I thought the noise was something rubbing on the inner fender-looks like I was right.

 

Well that makes sense I guess, sure is an odd problem though. So it begs the question, are they going to replace your struts or offer a refund?

 

We'll see what happens, really all I need to do is switch my old springs with the new springs, the rest of the strut I can use. It would be nice if the store where I bought them from would offer like $50-$75 and I would have somebody compress my old springs and then put them on the new struts and I could bolt them back on. I hate compressing springs in my driveway, I've seen even shop spring compressors fail and it isn't pretty.

 

Yeah I hear you, once you see a spring get loose you never forget it. People don't realize how much energy is released when a spring compressor fails. Back in my college days I worked in a tire shop part time, we had a spring compressor break and the guy using it ended up with a fractured skull and permanent vision loss in one eye.

 

thanks for the thread Barfan1, as I was about to spring (no pun intended) for a pair of those easy struts myself. Please keep us in the loop if you get further updates.

cheers

 

Any information that is useful can always help someone. Talking with Monroe, it seems they will have an HHR specific Quick Strut as soon as they have a spring supplier on board, but they don;t know when that will be.

 

Don't hold your breath, since the HHR is now discontinued. And always was the redheaded stepchild. I am amazed at how many parts are still listed as "huh" or "N/A".

Now I wonder; does the GM parts dept. list an actual different part, not just a different P/N for the springs? And, if you replace the front springs with a QS, should you replace the rears at the same time?

Just trying to ignite.

 

Discontinued..yes, redheaded stepchild..maybe, but with 525,082 units sold there is a market for replacement parts for the HHR. I think they'll come up with an engineering solution to the problem since Monroe is pushing the Quick Struts heavily both in the DIY marketplace and the professional installation marketplace.