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The right-hand upper control arm bushings are subjected to a lot of exhaust heat nearby; over time they can degrade and fail.
You can buy inexpensive replacements from http://www.eEuroparts.com. If you are keeping this car until you die, buy the better Saab bushings from a dealer (http://www.genuinesaab.com works for me -- call them, don't use their website); otherwise, the ScanTech aftermarket bushings linked below will suffice. Don't be pennywise/pound foolish and do just one bushing -- do both. That said, it's not necessary to do the uppers on the left-hand side or the lower bushings on both sides.
The price quoted is insane.
The fix can be achieved without taking the spring out (I just did this recently on a friend's car) but it's a bit tough without a good sized pry bar. You take one bracket off at a time (NEVER both!) by first unbolting the ~17mm nut at the end (unbend the safety washer first), then unbolt the bracket, pry the a-arm in, toward the engine a bit, (there will be pressure from the spring), slide a shim of wood or similar between a-arm the car body, slide the bracket off the a-arm , burn out the bushing with a propane torch (stinky but fast -- DON'T touch the bushing -- it's really easy to get burned), and press in the new one. You can make a DIY press contraption with a long bolt, washer and socket on one end, and a 1-1/8" socket as a spacer on the other to pull the bushing in without a press. Lubricate generously with silicone spray, or use soapy water. No oil. Make sure the bushing is centered in the bracket, not too far out on one end.
The new bushing will not look exactly like the old one until it's installed and deforms (normal); don't be concerned by the difference.
Behind each bracket are a small number of alignment shims, thin metal strips used to set the camber and caster for the car. When you pry the a-arm away from the car body, they'll likely fall out -- catch them so as not to lose them. If they don't fall out, CAREFULLY retrieve them -- don't lose a finger. To put them back in, wrap a piece of Scotch tape around them to keep them together.
There is one caveat: the bushings have a steel sleeve inside them. Sometimes, this sleeve can rust to the a-arm itself. If this is the case for your car, then you'll probably have to remove the a-arm to get the sleeve and, therefore, the bracket off.
Regarding ignoring the problem: Worst case scenario is the old bushing completely fails, and then the aluminum bracket, too. This is not something to leave as-is, IMO.
If you do not want to do this job, look for a Saab indy mechanic, if you haven't already. If you can't find a Saab indy, look for a Volvo shop, call them and see if they can do this. Folks who've worked on Volvos for years are likely to have worked on Saabs as well. The suspension on classic 900s is unusual, unlike most cars, but not necessarily magic/complex.
If you can find neither a Saab nor Volvo indy, find a mechanic you trust, show them these instructions, and have them do it.
posted by 24.17.5...
, Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:34:53
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