Can't Use Spare Tire on Front of '08 SS
New Member
Joined: 11-18-2011
Posts: 25
From: Ontario, Canada
I've got a 2010 HHR SS without the Brembos. When I was putting on the summer tires a week ago, I also tried to put the spare on the front. It also would not clear the caliper. This makes me think that this affects all years of the SS!
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Found this thread, it gives the brake rotor diameters for the Brembo and non-Brembo equipped SS models and the LS/LT models. Its the rotor diameter, SS's have bigger front brakes, simple as that.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/ss-specific-service-issues-repairs-61/what-front-rotor-size-non-brembo-rotor-34001/
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/ss-specific-service-issues-repairs-61/what-front-rotor-size-non-brembo-rotor-34001/
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Here's what we validated in regard to this subject:
Hyper, to your point, it would be interesting to know what the 2008 owner's manual is specifically saying about the SS having "larger brakes". (i.e. caliper, rotor, both?). Maybe someone who has access to a parts DB can assess and compare the the specific assemblies of an '08 SS vs an '08 non-SS. If it ever comes time to replace any of the components, it might help mitigate any parts ordering mistakes.
- 843de used the donut on the front of a non-SS HHR and it fit (as he stated, this was performed many times over due to bad luck with nails)
- I personally tried fitting the donut on the front of my SS yesterday and the inner surface of the wheel would not allow line-up of the studs due to clearance issue with the caliper.
Hyper, to your point, it would be interesting to know what the 2008 owner's manual is specifically saying about the SS having "larger brakes". (i.e. caliper, rotor, both?). Maybe someone who has access to a parts DB can assess and compare the the specific assemblies of an '08 SS vs an '08 non-SS. If it ever comes time to replace any of the components, it might help mitigate any parts ordering mistakes.
I know from the catalogs at work the pads are the same as my Malibu and other GM FWD cars. The mounting point could be different to adapt the caliper to the different rotor. GM did this on the W body. They used larger rotors with the same calipers. The mounting bar was changed to adapt the caliper over. My buddy just did the change on his Olds.
A larger rotor may not have a larger pad on it but it will give it more a heat sink to absorbe more heat and transfer it out for more effective braking.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
I did a quick look here and found the pads are the same on the SS, LS and LT.
The Calipers are the same on the SS, LS and LT
Now the front Rotors are different based on the part number that my systems shows here at work. The LT and LS front rotor is 10.866 dia and 1.024 thick Rotor.
The SS has a 11.65 Dia and 1.025 thick front Rotor.
So GM did what they did on the W body and put a new caliper mount on and used a larger dia rotor.
This is why it is on all SS and not just the Brembo.
I hope this clears this up and we now all know we will have to do a Chinese Firedrill when changing our flats on the front.
The Calipers are the same on the SS, LS and LT
Now the front Rotors are different based on the part number that my systems shows here at work. The LT and LS front rotor is 10.866 dia and 1.024 thick Rotor.
The SS has a 11.65 Dia and 1.025 thick front Rotor.
So GM did what they did on the W body and put a new caliper mount on and used a larger dia rotor.
This is why it is on all SS and not just the Brembo.
I hope this clears this up and we now all know we will have to do a Chinese Firedrill when changing our flats on the front.
Joined: 01-25-2010
Posts: 3
From: New Jersey
using doughnut spare on front will burn out trans
i was told by the service manager at a chevy dealership that the HHR SS transmission has limited slip differential and since the doughnut is smaller and rotates faster than the larger tire the difference in the two will ruin your transmission if one of the fronts goes flat you have to remove one of the rear first replace it with the doughnut and then put the good rear tire in the front i found this out following tire failure after hitting a pot hole in the rain
Senior Member
Joined: 06-26-2006
Posts: 1,876
From: San Bernardino, California
i was told by the service manager at a chevy dealership that the HHR SS transmission has limited slip differential and since the doughnut is smaller and rotates faster than the larger tire the difference in the two will ruin your transmission if one of the fronts goes flat you have to remove one of the rear first replace it with the doughnut and then put the good rear tire in the front i found this out following tire failure after hitting a pot hole in the rain
2008 Owner's Manual Pp 5-90:
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire (SS Model)
The SS Model has larger performance brakes than
the Base Model. The compact spare tire will not clear
the front brakes.
Do not use the compact spare tire in the event of a front
flat tire.
You must use the rear tire to replace the front flat tire.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
i was told by the service manager at a chevy dealership that the HHR SS transmission has limited slip differential and since the doughnut is smaller and rotates faster than the larger tire the difference in the two will ruin your transmission if one of the fronts goes flat you have to remove one of the rear first replace it with the doughnut and then put the good rear tire in the front i found this out following tire failure after hitting a pot hole in the rain
1. Auto trans. SS's did not have the limited slip diff. Only the 5 speeds with the optional Performance Package(Brembos, LSD) had limited slip.
( some early 08's did get the rare limited slip without the Perf. Pkg. but only if it was the 5 speed )
2. That donut spare won't fit on the front of the SS. It's mentioned earlier in this thread and it's in your Owners manual.
Like I said. Just a service manager. Not like he/she actually works on cars or even has a clue about our unique little SS.
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