1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I just replaced the original rear shocks + springs on our 2004 9-5 sedan (which was badly sagging). Fixmysaab.com was a great reference as was this bb. A few additional comments/tips:
- removing the lower shock bolt was the hardest part for me. I used a 4' heavy duty breaker bar with a 12 point 21mm socket. 12 point because I don't have a lift, so with the car on jacks, there was *very* little angular range + half of that was taken by the flex in the breaker bar tip itself. It did work though! I don't have air tools, any shorter wrenches/ratchets/bars wouldn't crack it, and my electric impact wrench was useless here also. Installation torque was more of an issue than rust though there was a little (I did apply penetrating fluid the day before + again while working).
- separation of the lower mount was very stiff, but ok to pry off with a screwdriver. others had that come off easily but both of mine were very stiff...
- removal of the top bolt was a breeze (contrary to many reports) at least for original Sachs (even though this is a salt belt car)... again, soaked in liquid wrench over night, wiped the threads clean (did not wirebrush though), compress the spring, 7mm socket (on a ratchet) fits on the hex tip of the shock - had to force it on over the rust, vice grips on the locknut (which you should toss anyway), crank the vicegrips against the ratchet to remove. see photo. very easy + fast, doesn't damage the shock at all, in fact the threads are nicely cleaned by the nut!
- what I should have ordered with my shocks: upper shock washers (4565396) rust pretty badly... I wirebrushed + repainted mine, but would have just bought new ones if I had thought of it sooner because they're cheap... I also should have bought shock bolts (11096832)... again cheap... fwiw, it sounds like the techs at the dealer don't usually change them. Mine looked fine to reuse, but on fixmysaab he said he read it's a throwaway part... I bought new ones but had to wait on them... my bump stops (12759389, $20/ea) were fine so I didn't need new ones, but check yours for damage before ordering...
- I installed new wagon springs on the sedan. Difference in length of the springs when uncompressed: 1.2cm (new wagon spring = 40.2cm, old sedan spring = 39.0cm). So that supports that sagging of the springs alone is not the cause of the ride height change (ie <1cm vs 1-2" sag is common). One thing to note with the springs is that when they are painted, there is a spot at the bottom of the spring that doesn't get paint (it's where they are hung to spray). The springs rust there (my old ones had peeled paint all around there). A dab of POR15 there should stop that.
- nothing else looked or felt visibly bad. it is possible I should change some bushings, but for me, that is not DIY... if I still have issues, my indy can do that.
- Koni shocks: upper perch is 2cm higher than lower. Lower appears to be about the same as stock. I used the upper. I also have spacers. Unfortunately I can't give accurate before/after ride heights because we blew a tire on the front which now has the spare on it + that throws everything off until I get new tires.
James...
posted by 216.59.24...
, Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:21:41
, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:18:06
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
