1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
From buying my 1999 9-5 at 65k miles to now at nearly 120k miles, all of my inner edge tire wear came from issues with the rear tires. I wouldn't call it cupping, but feathering that was the result of the Saab negative camber factory spec, causing the tires to lean in at the top, like Porsche and BMW. More aggressive road holding, but more tire wear... Aggressive performance tires don't give lasting mileage... Many shops don't know Saabs and the directions programmed into their Hunter and other brand alignment machines say that the camber is non-adjustable. Not true...there are thin stainless steel shims to mount at the rear wheel hub above or below the axle line to adjust the camber. Toe-in is also adjustable, but the mechanic has to know where to loosen and how to shift the rear independent suspension arms before retorqueing the bolts. Even my indie shop and some Saab dealers farm their alignments out and I all ways wonder if the Saab savvy alignment mechanic was at work that day..!!
As for other balancing dilemmas, this question has been asked many times on SaabNet. Someone has even suggested that the Saab wheel balancing must be approached like certain models of a Renault car where the hub and wheel have some excessive clearance between each other by design and require a careful wheels on wheels off positioning procedure, but again, I'd be hard pressed to find the tire place that would put the effort into doing this kind of ultra precision job.
As for the front shimmy or vibration issue, I'm still trying to diagnose mine. Assuming correct wheel alignment, balancing and good front struts (shock absorbers) and an unworn steering rack, wheel bearings might be a source, but I've all ready replaced these. One trusted SaabNet parts sponsor assures me it's wear and play in the driver's side inner driver, the rotating coupling between the outer CV joint and the transmission. Another possibility is towards the passenger side where there is a carrier bearing which holds the longer passenger side drive shaft before it joins the other CV joint (I believe..).
I hope to cure this annoying front vibration issue and return to a completely smooth driving 9-5 again. Hope you do too!!
Thanx,
Kirk D.
posted by 138.88.95...
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