My right rear on my '08 SS (31K) has a pretty good "thud" going over bumps. I only remember cars in the 80's we used to push down on them and if they were spongy, we'd get to shocks.
Anyone can tell me how to tell?
Any advice on what to buy and what it should cost?
Thanks.
Jim

 

The "rebound bounce" is still an indicator. But IMO, shocks have been shot for quite a while if you get a spongy feel.

I would look at other areas as well. You said, "....going over bumps.....". Could you have lost a rebound bumper, have a loose part that is hitting the frame, etc.

If you replace the shocks, I don't think aftermarket manufacturers provide a rear shock for the SS (at least not without spending a lot of money). And frankly, what I am told, the rebound rates are somewhat less in shocks from the aftermarket. I paid around $70.00/each for my SS OEM shocks.

Just my 2 centavos.

 

Just throw some coilovers on there money's no object right.

 

I swapped the struts and shocks @ 75,000 miles on my 2008. 31K seems way too early for shocks. I called engine crate depot and got a full set of sturts and shocks for an HHR SS FE5 (not cobalt)

20794824-FRT left
19179738-FRT right
15938031-rear absorber need quantity of 2

Total price with shipping - $387.76

You might want to check your front swaybar end links... I can almost bet you those are cashed and buy aftermarket from Moog. If they are toast they will make all kinds of noise and impact your handling

 

So I swapped the winter rims and tires with the summer ones and saw this? Any idea what these were/are? Are they important? Some sort of rubberish material, probably now that they're gone, explains the "ThuD" Sway bar links are solid, nothing else looks/feels loose.
[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

 

Coil Spring Insulator? http://www.jcwhitney.com/kyb-coil-sp...=d17636y2008j1
This looks like it. What's the difficulty of instal? I saw this, thinking it's about the same take down
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...04&postcount=7

Sorry if I answered my own question. Or maybe I'm way off base...

JIm

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh! I know the answer. I just saw them on my HHR when I was removing my springs to see about fitting coil air bags. The upper jounce bumper sits in the upper spring seat. Underneath where the upper spring seat meets the coil spring-is that foam type insulator. Don't think you can by it as a piece. It may come with the upper spring seat which may actually be discontinued. You may be able to get a moog aftermarket part but you have to measure yours and match it.

Do I win a prize? Oh and I checked on line-the hand does not come with the part. Sorry.

Anyway the price of the piece from JC Whitney would lead me to believe that that is the more commonly available front spring seat.

http://www.genmotorinfo.com/Picture....4%29+-+1A07027

http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/Page_Pro...exID=1A0702703

 

That JC Whitney Part is definitely for the front:

KYB Front Lower Coil Spring Insulator SM5571

 

Probably. it is Russian way to solve the problem, but ..

This insulator - an elementary ring of spongy material. You discuss the possibility to buy it. Each child can make it for 2 minutes with the help of mother's sewing scissors. Why spend the money? Why Expect an order?
A piece of spongy material can be found everywhere. Torn tourist rug, an old coat, a piece of linoleum or insulation.
Stroke old ring with a pencil, cut with scissors.