The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 3/26 M Car Covers (by State of Nine) | 12/12 Make Amazon Pay Saabnet!
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 00:29:42 -0800
From: "Douglas Swank" <dswanknopsamlwebSPAM.com>
Subject: Suspension "dilemma" (9K)


Okay, so now I have had the Jamex springs installed for a couple of days on the '86 9KT and have run into the following problem...it's not so much spring related as it is car related, but it's causing me to lose more sleep than it should (All right, that's an exaggeration...but anyway...). Any advice, suggestions, information, criticism, etc. will be much appreciated. The story so far: I had new KYB front struts and rear shocks installed a few months ago because the handling was a bit spongy. In doing so, I had hoped this would also correct a slight sag/lean in the car toward the driver's side rear. After installation, ride was significantly improved, handling somewhat improved, but the "sag" remained. I was fairly convinced at this point that the problem was a sagging spring, so I used this as an excuse to justify the purchase of lower sporty springs in hope of improving handling and eliminating the now infamous "sag". I ordered the Jamex springs from SAS, which leads us to last week. Last week: After some debate over whether the front springs would fit, my mechanic went ahead and put the springs on--they did fit. The car was significantly lower, ride was stiff, handling significantly improved, but the "sag" is still evident. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's slightly less pronounced, but still obvious upon casual inspection. I'm currently running 205/60-15 Pirelli P6000SV's, which clear easily on the passenger side but *barely* on the driver's side. I have noticed (heard) some rubbing on the outside fender while taking corners at high speed on a bumpy road. This *was* going to be no big deal, as I was planning to replace them with 205/50-16 tires (on new rims, obviously) and lose some overall diameter. However, due to the sag on the rear driver's side, I'm afraid that the wider rims may pose a problem given just how darn *low* the car now sits. Handling is vastly improved. The ride is bumpier, but not offensively so. I don't really want to go back to stock springs. The major problems: 1) The rear is too low (though moreso on the driver's side). Is there some sort of option to raise the rear with spacers? 2) I need to somehow level out the body. The "sag" becomes all the more pronounced once I sit my 6'5" nearly 250 pound self in the driver's seat. If spacers are an option, can I use an uneven amount to level the body? (Say 1/4" one side and 1/2" on the other?) 3) 205/50-16 tires are freakin' expensive. I would much prefer to go with the cheaper and much more widely available 205/55-16 size. I don't think rubbing would be much of a problem given the stiffer suspension *assuming* the aforementioned problems could be dealt with first. Plus, given how stiff the suspension is now, I think a little more sidewall flex would be easier on the passengers (and driver, for that matter). TIA for any advice! -Doug '86 9KT (a.k.a. "The Sag-Mobile")

Return to Main Index
StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]