|
|
|
I was surprised at how easy this mod was to do, taking into account that it's suspension work, I expected a more difficult install. However, I was happy to find that (in my opinion) this is a quick and easy suspension mod that gives great results. Let's get started....
First thing, get the rear of your HHR in the air and support it with jack stands. You'll need the jack free to help compress the coil springs soon. I highly recomend a floor jack for this work, if you don't have one and plan on doing this type of work yourself, bite the bullet and go get one.
Second, take the rear wheels off. Hopefully you remembered to loosen the lugs before you jacked up the car.  Don't ask....
This is what you'll see with the rear wheels off...
The red arrow is pointing to jack stands which we all use when we climb under a car, right gang?
In the green circle is a 10mm bolt that holds the brake line. I took it off so that the brake line wouldn't get streched, I'm not sure this is a requirement, but better safe than sorry when it's only one bolt in your way.
The red circle shows you the bottom 22mm shock bolt. Before removing the shock bolt, I put my floor jack under the rear spring and pumped the handle a few times, just enough to put a little pressure on the springs, this seemed to help with removing the shock bolt. Let the shock hang free.
The last thing in the photo, in the blue box is the stock spring, release the jack from the spring, the suspension assembly will extend as far as it can. At this point the springs don't just fall out, but with two hands and a tug, the top of the spring will dislodge. To get the bottom loose I used a crow bar and popped the spring free. The passenger side gives the most room to work in, drivers side your T-924 muffler will be a little in the way. If you still have the stock turtle muffler it will be even more in the way. 
Next up both springs side by side...
The stock springs is on the left with the bump stops still installed. Pull these loose and put them on the new springs. The new springs are easy going in since they are shorter than the stockers. Connect up your shocks and brake line brackets, replace wheels and your done. Be sure to check that your lugs are tight before your test drive.
Here's a before photo:
And after:
Any comments/questions let me know. 
TX
_________________
 
Still playing in the streets |
|
to!
