Messages

1

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Front Road Spring Confusion

« on: 19 August 2022, 04:52:43 AM »

I solved my own problem. I've been trying to determine whether I have sport chassis/suspension or not.

If you got to the https://saabparts.com/us/mysaabcar-online/saab-original-vin-decoder/ and enter your VIN, then scroll down to CHASSI DESIGN/PERFORMANCE it would say whether you have standard (comfort) or sport. mine says standard (comfort) 

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Front Road Spring Confusion

« on: 19 August 2022, 04:40:20 AM »

Hi Folks,

Hope you can help with a strange situation I find myself in. I have been suspisious that the front suspension on my 2003 93ss Aero has been a 'bit soft' for a number of years and had been expecting the front shocks to expire any time soon, but at some considerable mileage later they still soldier on. Then recently it occured to me that the front ride height seemed at bit high visually compared to other Aeros in the neighbourhood. I started to dig around and found some interesting and confusing facts....

Over the past 5 years I had two front road springs break and replaced at my now bankrupt local Saab dealer. These were replaced with red/white (code 2 & later code 41) springs, which EPC reckon are NOT for the Aero/sport chassis. Might this explain the softer ride/larger ride height?

So how did the dealer apparently fit the wrong springs? Time to check the VIN plate!  For suspension codings this reads left to right "2 -3 -2 -2 -1 -3". So if I understand this correctly, front springs are Code 2 red/white non-sport chassis springs as fitted by the dealer. Interestingly, front shocks are Code 1 also non-sport chassis, but the front anti-roll bar is Code 2 (25mm) which is for sport chassis. All rear suspension is sport chassis Now I am throughly confused. 

Has anybody come across this before? Is it possible for the VIN to be wrong or am I reading it incorrectly? What is the correct suspension set up for a late 2003 93ss Aero? I was going to order some yellow/orange sport springs to rectify the situation but want to be sure first.

Any help greatfully received...

How do you decipher what kind of suspension you have from the VIN plate? Mine reads:

2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -  -  -

I do hav this figure identifying the positions:



But where do I find a key that tells me what front suspension "2" is and what rear suspension "1" is? Thanks.

3

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: Tech2 Options

« on: 19 August 2022, 04:12:11 AM »

compare the VIN numbers with your VIN. One of the VINs may be from a Saab scanned by the previous Tech 2 owner assuming you bought it used.

4

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: VIN Decoder

« on: 19 August 2022, 04:05:54 AM »

Have had a look at the vin plate now and below the vin is:

CW FE J J 40 31 AD BC CD DC

Im guessing it's the last 6 pairs you are referring to?

It's actually the first 6, the last 4 are for the brakes

Keep in mind that there are different springs and dampers even for standard suspension for different engine types and gearboxes and body styles.

Anyhow, that is:

Front spring red/white, 4d/5d part no. 12755248 (CW)
Front shock yellow, 4d/5d part no. 12760161 (40)
Anti-roll bar Green Sport Chassis part no. 12761909 (J)

Rear spring blue/yellow, 5d part no. 12760113 (FE)
Rear shock, purple, 5d, part no. 12765950 (31)
Anti-roll bar, white, sport chassis part no. 5239124 (J)

As it stands, your car does not have sports suspension but does have sports suspension anti-roll bars, I'm guessing that this was either to try and improve the 9-5's handling a bit while retaining the ride quality when compared to other cars available at the time or that they were just using up whatever parts were kicking about in the factory. 

Do me! Do me! Do me! 

I actually have a 2003 9-3 NG and my struts need replacement because the shop said they cannot adjust the camber because my original ones are way too old...

I've been trying to figure out whether I have sport chassis/suspension or not. By the way a lot of people have the same question and it would help a lot of loyal Saab fans to choose new suspension.

My VIN plate says 2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -  -  -  and I have a diagram that identifies the positions but it doesn't identify the suspensions... Any help would be great! Thanks