Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:23:13 -0400 From: Dexter J <lamealameadingdongnopsamlamelame.org> Subject: Re: ball joint help
Salutations: stgrimesnopsamlid.domain wrote: > > Hi Folks, > > I have a '87 900S and the steering is getting pretty squirelly. Over > bumps, around corners, and during quick changes of speed is when it feels > loose in the steering. I am assuming this is a problem with the ball > joints. The car has been in this condition since I bought it in August. > Surprisingly, the shop I took it from was supposed to fix this, but the > steering actually felt looser after they did the repair (is that > possible?). On my first Saab (an '86 900) I had essentially the same > problem. Is this something an amateur DIY'er can work on? If so, can > anyone point me to a resource? > > I bought this car for $1000. I recently discovered that all four calipers > are rusted, and quickly the repairs are adding up. > > Thanks in advance, > Steve Don't panic just yet brother Steve - I'm hoping your more a staffer than a student over at I.S. Get both front wheels on floor stands (not the jack) so you can give her a little pull and jiggle.. What you want to do is isolate what's loose and where with the engine off and the steering locked.. Get your arms around the tire and try to wiggle it on it's axle (you are checking for wheel bearing problems).. It will only have to move slightly and almost not be noticeable - but if there is any 'thump' in the movement.. Then - and have some you love reach in through the drivers window and turn the steering wheel so you can inspect the steering mechanisms links in the wheel well and around the A-Arm from underneath.. Look for anything loose or showing a lot of bright metal on a ball surface - .. All things looking ship shape - fire it up and turn the steering wheel this time pay close attention to the steering rack on the firewall or looseness in the shaft coming down from the steering wheel.. If you listen carefully at the wheel well - you will hear binding if something is not right.. Check your power steering fluid level and cleanliness and make sure all the wheel bolts are on to correct torque.. It may be that you have a simple problem rather than a reason for a rebuild.. On the other hand - steering weakness is dangerous.. Spring doesn't help matters either as that is when the roads start to cull the standing herds into spares and classics.. Brakes are serious too - you have stuck calipers or master is gooped up (which is why I was wondering about rest of fluids) - it could be that the machine sat unserviced for a good long time and now needs some TLC (that not being a student crack earlier - sorry - been there).. Rust often starts to show up in the rotors when they are cycled hot a lot.. Finally - it could be that your alignment is really messed up - that's a tricky business and requires a real specialist to get it right.. You are looking for an older mechanic who keeps the kinda hair cut you can set a watch too.. In the SAAB - you mostly do it when you had the bearings and CV assembles freshened up and once it's done - you should rust out before it needs doing again - assuming good specialist.. Best of luck brother - it's a nice car, sound like you may need to find better service.. -- J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/ all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Bill Monroe - Blue Moon of Kentucky http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/009.RAM
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