I just got home from buying the "Pumkin".... a four hour drive, luvin my new ride ('08 Sunburst), all the way home, the car was awesome, handled well, no weird brake noise, had plenty of power for our hills. Then I park in our garage, and start to put my Thule racks on the HHR rails, and see just how weak they were mounted. I could put my hand on the rail, push up and down way too much ! It had so much flex, I was afraid to even install my Thules'. I saw another HHR that seemed to have the rails a lot closer to the outside edge, bolted to the frame. Mine seem to be bolted right to the sheet metal, where there is no structual strength to support the 150 pounds the book claims, let alone 50 pounds. Anyone else have this problem ? How was it resolved? I use my racks on my other vehicles a lot (skiing, kayaking) and supposedly these were factory installed.

On a side note, if I do keep the HHR (which I really want to do !) I plan to install the running boards next. It came with sunroof, roof rack, auto, and all the great options that normally go with the LS series. Anyone have some insight ?

Thanks...........

 

Welcome, Fantumboater! You selected an excellent color! Hope you can make some of our WNY g2g's. Next one is 4/12/08 at the Center Street Smokehouse in Batavia.

As for the roof rails... I don't have 'em so can't comment but you might want to post your question on the "General HHR" forum. I think you're more likely to get a better response there.

 

Welcome to the site!! Glad to see another HHR from Elmira!! I am on Hoffman near the prison.

 

Welcome Fantumboater. Good luck with the new ride.
Try to make it to one of our unofficial GTG's.
Running boards are a must for these cars. Two reasons, appearance and added protection from paint chipping.
My 2 cents.

 

Welcome jc650 and Fantumboater from Southern Ontario. Hope you can make it to our G2G and meet a great bunch of people.

 

Welcome To The Site!