I just received the GM OEM FE1 struts from rockauto and while I am practicing using the spring compressor I compared these struts with the old ones I had on my previous HHR. These new ones from rockauto are easier to compress by hand. So much that I wonder how it can support the vehicule weight. I am a little puzzled.

Other than that, they look well made and sturdy but the left strut looks a little rusty and easier to compress by hand than the other one. Should I worry or just proceed with the replacement ?

 

Easier to compress because it’s a softer ride damper, the strut doesn’t set the ride height , the coil spring mounted on the strut sets the ride height.

That rust isn’t detrimental to the strut, just a little moisture in the packaging, wipe that area with some automatic transmission fluid on a paper towel. To clean it off.

 

SHOCK ABSORBERS DO NOT SUPPORT ANY WEIGHT. That is what springs do. The shocks absorb (buffer) the bounce from the springs.

Longer springs = more height = more bounce = greater rollover potential = more body sway = less stability

Softer shocks = more bounce = sloppy handling = body sway

About the best you can do is let 2-3 PSI out of the tires. That will also add body sway but less than raising it or softening the shocks.

 

So the shock absorber doesn't really absorb shock. It prevents the spring to decompress the wheel inside the pothole which would otherwise result in a more violent hit. The easier compression will also soften the bump hits.

I think I will enjoy these FE1 struts the same as the original.

 

The shock absorber functions as a dampener to push down on the suspension, absorbing the impact of the pot hole controlling the bounce of the springs . FE1 softer ride , FE3 a firmer ride and FE5 an even firmer sports car like ride.

 

Here is some photos I took. The 2007 FE1 strut and the 2021 look identical. I had my old FE3 suspension to compare with the FE1. The top mounts look identical. The struts look similar but not identical and the FE1 is easier to compress by hand. Springs look identical although I had more difficulties removing the spring from the FE1 strut, it felt bulkier and sturdier. Even if they look the same, one was definitely a pain in the arse to remove and reinstall. Maybe it's because one spring has 90 000 kilo and the other one has... I don't know, maybe 200 000 kilo.

 

It looks like the FE3 strut here is in fact an ACDELCO professional and not GM OEM. Strange. I can't recall how I got these.

 

Your FE3 from 2007 is a replacement part, not OE. You can tell by the end link connector bracket.

 

I think my chevy dealer made that replacement. Not sure.

 

Maybe that’s why you were disappointed the the FE3 ride