sleeper. When I had the bottom bolts out(changing springs) I noticed that mine were threaded all the way to the head.

 

Fireman-

Glad you mentioned that, I only removed the lower shock bolts also for spring swap..

But do remember wiping a bit of grease on the bolt shoulders & loctite on the threads.

If mine didn't have shouldered bolts, I would have dug up some that did.

Now I'm curious about the top bolts..

 

where did get new bolts were they necessary?

 

Just wanted to jump in and drop a line here that this job was, by far, the EASIEST thing I have ever done to a car. Easier than changing oil. If anyone in the future is searching on here about his particular subject debating if they should do it or not I say GO FOR IT. Impact wrench made the job 30X easier, though. When putting the bolts back in make sure to HAND TIGHTEN them first so as to not cross thread. I took both old ones out at the same time and they were so far gone they wouldn't come back from being compressed. They still haven't after four days XD

 

What year hhr

 

"What year hhr" Hmm. Exactly what or who are you asking ?

 

The procedure is the same for all years.

 

Welcome to the site! 2006 to 2011 all the same procedure!

 

Does anybody know the length of the stock shock compressed and then fully extended? I have the leveling springs on my car and had to use shorter shocks (otherwise the coil springs would fall out when the car was jacked up). My shocks need to be replaced and I forgot which one I had used. Or better still, does anybody know which short shocks work?

Thanks

 

No numbers stamped into the metal?