The old shock has been in there for about 10 years, and kind of rusty. I could check the dimensions once it is out, but I was trying to avoid removing it before I get the new ones so I don't have to reinstall the old one. I believe it was a KYB. And I remember it was much more expensive than the standard because it was shorter and less common.

 

I'm getting ready to replace the rear shocks when the weather warms up. Thought I'd get new mounting bolts, just in case, but they don't seem to be available anywhere online. Anyone found these, or is it likely I won't even need them?

 

Likely you won’t need new ones

 

Thanks, Oldblue. I was hoping for that along with a little penetrating oil and my electric impact gun. I'm also going to replace the front struts with quick-struts; looks like a fairly easy job also.

 

nice wheels !!!

 

They are, aren't they (yours too). Unfortunately, mine rusted some after about a year in New Jersey (no longer on the car); I don't have a garage. I'm thinking about selling the set for $50 to anyone who wants to come and get them. I ended up replacing the struts myself (easy job) but had a local shop do the rear shocks.

 

 

I think you meant the other way-easy rear shocks

 

Yes, the rear shocks would have been pretty easy, and I bought shocks along with the struts. I'm running the stock rims with trim rings and if there's a little rust around the center hole, the rims don't want to come off. I took it to the shop so they could "pound" them off and they did the shocks at the same time. Otherwise, it is an easy job on the HHR, and I would have done it.

 

Two ways you could have did it yourself.
1) Jack the side up with the wheel off the ground with the lugs loose. Hit around the tire itself with a heavy hammer and spray the rusted area with something like PB Blaster.
2) This was used on mid 70's Fords that had plastic coated aluminium wheels. Loosen the lugs a little bit and drive in circles (figure 8) until it broke lose. Ask me how I know, lol.