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HHR SS and pot holes and other road imperfections, is this normal?

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Old Nov 12, 2015 | 12:57 PM
  #1  
Bmr4life's Avatar
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HHR SS and pot holes and other road imperfections, is this normal?

Just finished a test drive in an 2008 with 77k miles. Suspension felt tight enough (tighter than my loose Camry) but when I hit a single pot hole at roughly 25mph it made the loudest boom sound and you felt every bit of it. Also drove over some of the street reflector and those were felt and heard pretty bad also. Also, the loud boom came from the rear of the vehicle.

I've owned a 2005 and 2011 Mustang GT, both on 20" low profile tires and neither made that much racket or felt like that going over bad roads.

I'm really hoping that something is up with this particular SS and that this is not the standard. I liked almost everything else about it even though this one was a bad representation (tow hooks welded to the front poking through the lower grill, cigarette burn on the right rear seat, broken tuner knob, etc).
Old Nov 12, 2015 | 01:29 PM
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It could be bad Lower Control Arm(LCA) bushings, bad sway bar end links, bad sway bar bushings, a bad lower ball joint, a failed strut letting it botton on the bump stops, bad upper strut mount, etc.

It's a case of getting it up on a lift and having the suspension checked out if you're seriously considering it.
Old Nov 12, 2015 | 01:45 PM
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Yeah, this one was purely a try out an SS to see if I like it test drive. I wouldn't consider buying it based on the condition it was shown in which was after they worked on and cleaned it up for two days. Also, they are asking $13k which is a joke. I'd pay no more than $7k because I'm sure its going to need some suspension work and the other issues I mention before. I'm seeing some far better examples for sale throughout the US for 09s and 10s with less miles for less money.

It was a sporty ride though. I'm sure its a blast after a tune.
Old Nov 12, 2015 | 03:14 PM
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Yeah, knackered SS's should be avoided at all costs, the words "Money Pit" come to mind.
Old Nov 12, 2015 | 03:28 PM
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Could also be a broken spring when the bottom coil gives up they are noisy!!
Old Nov 12, 2015 | 04:22 PM
  #6  
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The stock suspension is stiff, but that one sounds broke.

My lowered SS rides softer than the stock suspension......
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