I recently picked up an '06 with 142k on the clock. Overall it seems to run and drive very well, but occasionally when I hit a bump, the car literally feels like it comes loose from the road and bounces sideways. Feels like it is mostly in the rear, just wondering if this is a common problem, would new rear shocks help? Control arms? (seem okay to me, no clunking, etc)

Thanks

 

Needs shock, springs may be broken.
If the car feels like it keeps moving after you stop definitely LCA. The way to check them is to park the car then try to turn the front tires by hand; if they move and the body does not they are bad.

 

HHR’s handle pretty well but the rears suspension ain’t perfect. It’s like one big sway bar; when you hit a bump, the wheel on the opposite side is affected too. For it to work at its best, tire pressure shouldn’t be excessive, and shocks need to be good and well-matched to the springs. Too soft is probably worse than too firm. Even then, slight “stepping out” when hitting a bump in a hard corner is part of life. You get used to it if it isn’t excessive.

Some owners swear by adding a bolt-on sway bar to the rear, but while that can balance out an understeering car on smooth flat, it can make stepping out on bumpy corners worse.

 

Thanks, I think the front is fine, I did replace the end links and sway bar bushings on it already. When I did this, I checked the play with the front wheels and most of the suspension up there, it all seems pretty solid now. I'll take a look at the back and see how everything looks. I was looking at a rear sway bar too after reading so many possitives, but what you said makes sense, so I'll hold off for now.

I have driven many cars that had this "problem" but most weren't this bad. A couple times it was bad enough to give me the butterflies from feeling like I was completely sideways. I am fine with it in general, but living in a cold climate, I don't want it to happen with a couple inches of snow on the ground.

 

Rear shocks, KYB are a great upgrade over OEM and add a TTR rear sway bar!!

 

X-2 on the SWAY BAR !! 30-32 lbs. cold on the rear tires

SF

 

Thanks, the Sway bars aren't in sick and it sounds like might be gone forever. I'll try dropping the tire pressure a little, I have them at 35 right now.

 

Look on your driver door sill for the proper tire inflation for your car.

 

They are on back order

https://www.turbotechracing.com/prod...idproduct=5148

you can send Aaron a PM

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/supp...swaybar-64351/

 

Did I read somewhere in this forum that earlier 2006 HHR’s might have has a skinnier sway bar and that the size was increased? Or something like that?