PulpFriction

My motive is not to obtain the parts but to understand what the baseline was. I would appreciate any and all available data. Like the free lengths you just posted. Excellent!

The dream come true would be to see the GM prints, or at least dimensions, free length, and rate specification. But that ain’t a-gonna happen.

sleeper

Pulp- Maybe this old thread can help..

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/comm...-thread-48833/

Rocket Dawg

These replacement Moog springs ride really nice. Much better than the worn out OEM's. It rides both smoother and more firm. Sits up higher too. Looks good.

heathenhhr

I just used some random VINs (mine=FE3, and a couple from ebay)

PulpFriction

DING DING DING! Jackpot! My new best friend! Thanks!

But what am I looking at here? GM factory listings?

It seems to validate that as I thought, the only difference between FE1 and FE3 is the dampeners, not the springs, at least in the rear.

Suspect the same in the front.

Also have heard there were some changes during or after m/y 2006. Specifically, to the (front) stabilizer bar.

Also trying to figure out if the SS FE5 torsion beam has different properties than than FE1/3. (I wonder how many who add a sway bar to the rear realize that a torsion beam suspension is already its own sway bar. Not that there’s anything wrong with adding more stiffness.)

Obviously a different # for brake attachment, but the beam could be thicker/stiffer, too. Wonder why it’s called a “kit.” It appears to be a single weldment. Or is it a subassembly?

heathenhhr

yup, that's the GM parts catalog
I spent 5-6 years doing GM parts at dealerships, now I'm in fleet... but we have the same official catalogs the dealers use

donbrew

In fact, there is a sway bar inside the axle beam.
It's a kit because "incl #18"

PulpFriction

Cool! Thanks! Do I have access to that? Prolly not. Working on a little list of VIN’s with known options for this sort of purpose. Even have one for a “2007 Premier Edition.”

PulpFriction

Yes. I surmise it’s tubular. The perforated angle and the round thing together functionally comprise a beam. Or two. And a torsion spring. Or two.

Had heard the SS bushing was different. Firmer, presumably. Still doesn’t prove the beam and tube are the same. Both would contribute to torsional rigidity. Either or both could be different. Easy enough to measure the beam. Proving no difference in the tube (or bar?) would involve seeing the prints, or insider info, or dissection. My guess is the same, though. Easy enough to balance the understeer with the front sway bar.

donbrew

IIRC, the bar is welded to the beam.
#18 is the bushings on the FE3/FE1, #20 on the FE5. Indeed different part numbers. The beams are different because the disk brake mounting, at least.

Here is a parts catalog: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/comm...log-pdf-59733/