Rear shocks don't fint
08-04-2014, 02:52 PM
#1
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Join Date: 08-04-2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 4
Rear shocks don't fint
I recently tried to change out my rear shocks. Got some Gabriels from Autozone part#69587, and they didn't fit. Went back and double checked and they were all too big on top. Found OEM part # for FE3 type suspension, which mine has, and it lists 15806888, which cross references to the same Gabriel shock. Has anybody run into this?
08-04-2014, 04:38 PM
#3
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Join Date: 04-09-2006
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Yup, those are the ones listed as fitting the HHR as well as Cobalts, G5's etc., and should fit.
Can you clarify what you mean by 'too big on top" - do you mean the body of the upper part of the shock is too big across and fouls the undercarriage when the upper eyelet is put on the mounting stud?
Can you clarify what you mean by 'too big on top" - do you mean the body of the upper part of the shock is too big across and fouls the undercarriage when the upper eyelet is put on the mounting stud?
08-04-2014, 05:07 PM
#4
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Join Date: 10-06-2011
Location: Mesa, AZ
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You might need to pull the outer metal tab out a bit to allow the new shocks to fit. Sometimes that piece will get squeezed in due to thinner shocks or in other cases the replacement shocks are just a bit bigger than the factory sized ones were.
The metal tab/piece that I am referring to is the outside piece that the bolt head snugs up on as seen in this pic.
The metal tab/piece that I am referring to is the outside piece that the bolt head snugs up on as seen in this pic.
08-05-2014, 09:20 AM
#5
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I just did this shock change 6 weeks ago on a co-workers '09 the top bolt had collapsed the opening a bit, I put the old shock back, and wiggled it till I spread out the opening enough to get the new shock in. I did not have this issue in several HHR's I have changed over to KYB shocks
08-05-2014, 09:24 AM
#6
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Join Date: 08-04-2014
Location: Virginia
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When laying the shocks side by side the new ones were obviously larger. I didn't measure the new ones but I did measure the old ones and they compare to what I found in Monroe Mounting and Length Specifications sheet. The new Gabriels were apparently bigger than they should have been on the mounting surfaces. I'm going back to Autozone and some other autoparts places today to get some measurements on various brands.
"A" is where the bolt is inserted and "B" is the length of the sleeve. "B" on the replacement shock was probably 1/4" larger on the top of the shock, mounting it upside down is not an option, even though it probably would have fit since the bottom of the shock is smaller.
"A" is where the bolt is inserted and "B" is the length of the sleeve. "B" on the replacement shock was probably 1/4" larger on the top of the shock, mounting it upside down is not an option, even though it probably would have fit since the bottom of the shock is smaller.
08-05-2014, 10:28 AM
#7
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Join Date: 08-04-2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 4
Okay, just back from Advance Autoparts and a stop by Autozone.
Bought the Monroe shocks part # 5779 from Advance and then went by Autozone to compare with the Gabriel Ultra part # 69587 (which is supposed to fit). Comparing the two, the Gabriel was approximately 1/8" bigger on the "B" side than the Monroe shock. The Autozone guy said I might need to bend the mount out to make it fit! I don't think so, I've got some experience with stress cracks and that's a bad idea. Gabriel seems to be building to the wrong spec.
Bought the Monroe shocks part # 5779 from Advance and then went by Autozone to compare with the Gabriel Ultra part # 69587 (which is supposed to fit). Comparing the two, the Gabriel was approximately 1/8" bigger on the "B" side than the Monroe shock. The Autozone guy said I might need to bend the mount out to make it fit! I don't think so, I've got some experience with stress cracks and that's a bad idea. Gabriel seems to be building to the wrong spec.
08-06-2014, 02:03 PM
#8
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Join Date: 08-04-2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 4
I did a little more research and found out that Gabriels mounting specs seem to be swapped, the top mount and bottom mount measurements are opposite of mine and the Monroe shocks. I have notified them of this, so they should get some resolution soon I would think.
