1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hey there,
This sounds oddly similar to a situation I was going through about a year and a half ago when I first bought my Viggen. When I bought the car (used), I took it to my local dealer and asked them to check it over. They came back saying I had a bent rear axle, which I found comical at best. The quote for the work was something around $2500 CAD. They were trying to get me to replace almost the identical stuff that is on your quote... I should dig up my old one for illustration purposes. I declined their services and instead went to get a second and third opinion. The second opinion was from a local indy garage. Bill of health for the car was okay. I also called the previous owner and he provided me with alignment data from his final alignment before selling the car indicating a good bill of health. So, time for a third opinion... myself. Yes, engineering degrees do come in handy, and I put my mind to use to attempt to measure the toe in and camber angles myself, using laser pointers, verniers, and alot of patience.
Check out some of these threads:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-3/index.html?bID=67512
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-3/index.html?bID=66712
I found that while my camber is within limits, it is very near the top end for the Viggen (-2.0 deg). I have always had slightly more pronounced tire wear on my right rear tire, which corresponds to the side with the slightly high camber. My dealer makes sure to remind me every time the car is up that I need a new axle. I tell them to save that until I have far more consequential proof that something is wrong. The tires have 2001 date stamps on them (Toyo TS-1 Proxes) and about 38000kms on them, and still going strong.
The car drives 100% straight, no pulls, no weird vibrations.
I would seriously seek a second opinion before taking on that work. Get down underneath the car at the back and spend ALOT of time looking at the wear patterns on the tires and see just how serious they are. Also, if you are handy with tools and have some time, try to prove it to yourself that something is wrong.
Adam
00 Viggen
78500 kms
posted by 69.193.29...
, Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:01:57
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
