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SS Specific Service Issues/RepairsService/Repairs specific to the SS. Turbo-Brembo Brakes-2.0 Engine-Limited Slip Differential-Programmable Display-MU3 Transmission
Whopper
Shocks have to bearing on the height of the car, only compression and rebound control over a bump.
The springs govern ride height.
If the springs show some type of coil bind at static ride height I would have to say "Houston we have a problem" .
Exactly my point - if the struts are not the right ones, the specs for the spring perches might be vastly different - which would also change the ride height - ie distance from the lower spring perch to centre of wheel hub.
Not knowing exactly what the previous owner had installed is a problem - who knows - he might have installed some from a junk yard etc..
But the installation shop should be able to figure it out - if they say the springs are wrong, and won't they hold up the weight of the front of the car.................. to many variables? Shouldn't be.
Well, I believe I'm going to go back with the stock springs on the front and a set of aftermarket rear to level out the rear end and be done with this issue.
Several aftermarket spring sets have been tried and they all seem to work well on the rear, but the fronts have the sagging issue.
None of the companies have given me any good explanation other than "they should work", and none provided any resolution, suggestion, or optional springs, coilovers, etc. It's been determined the front springs are where the issue lies, all the aftermarket front springs have much smaller diameter coils, allowing much less compression spring rate, and along with them being obviously shorter to allow for some drop, the combination, on at least my HHR, doesn't work correctly. All of the part #'s from the manufacturer's have been checked for correctness:
I have been in contact with Powell Racing Shop and was told their springs won't do what the others are doing (compressing too far down on the fronts), but I'm leary of spending $400.00 just to find out if they may or may not work.
Previous reply comments mentioned there may be a little confusion as if my vehicle was stock or had KYB's on it, it was initially all stock, it was taken in to just have the spring kit installed, but, the shop noticed 1 of the struts leaking, so I advised them to replace them all, and whatever else might be needed. I was advised KYB's had been used without incident, and to good reviews, on HHR SS's in place of the OEM FE5 struts and shocks, so that's how the KYB's come in to play. At one point, there was concern that replacing the worn out OEM's with KYB's might have been part of the problem, but it was ruled out because they checked and double checked the new KYB's against the OEM's and there was no exterior difference between the 2.
So, unless anyone has any other suggestion or solution, I'll be having the OEM front springs reinstalled with a set of aftermarket rears to level the vehicle out. It will probably be better in the end since the unit is going to be a daily driver and it should ride a little smoother than compared to it being lowered way down. We'll see
Just so happens I have a picture of my SS with the stock springs on front and the Pedders in the rear. Did the rears and took a pic to see what the "level" looked like. It might give you an idea of what yours will look like.
Me personally. I didn't like the way it felt handling wise with the mix of springs.
It would be very good information to have part numbers for the struts they installed. Since they installed these struts, no springs have worked. These springs have worked just fine for other members. These"internal differences" have caused you a lot of grief.
Hi Firemangeorge, your comments mention: Me personally. I didn't like the way it felt handling wise with the mix of springs.
Can you explain in more detail, please? I purchased the vehicle and only drove it about 30 miles before it went to the shop for the springs swap, so I'm not yet even familiar with the should and shouldn't of how the handling should be. It's going to be a daily driver, and while I do enjoy spirited driving, my main desire would have to go to the side of comfort since I'll be in it alot. Also, the picture you included looks good, unless it just kills the handling/driving aspect, I definitely want the leveled look instead of the higher rear.
Also, a previous reply asks about the part #'s for the installed struts, they are: KYB's, #'s 339084 & 339085 on the front and 2 shocks #349043 in the rear.
Besides the number of turns of the coils, OEM vs aftermarket, what is the diameter of the coil wire thickness of each ?
Also do you have a rear sway bar ?
If so, what company ?
