Hi all,
New user, tried a few searches and found nothing within the Classic 9-3 forums that resembled my problem. I’m hoping someone might recognise my problem and that it is an inexpensive fix (ROFL).
I have a 2001 9-3 Convertible and have owned it for 3 years. I currently have a clunking sound which is consistent under certain circumstances. I’ve been to three mechanics and have had several fixes completed, none of which fixed the problem.
Here’s a rough sequence of events:
- soon after I bought it I noticed a slight click from the front left wheel area when reversing from my garage, close to full right-hand lock. It’s a moderate decline from my garage, not sure whether that’s a factor or not.
- at some stage during the following attempted fixes the click developed into a clunk which soon became quite a strong clunk (it turns heads when I’m parking!). For 18+ months the clunk has sounded like two large spanners/wrenches being dropped. I don’t remember the sequence of repairs nor the point when the click became a clunk.
- while the noise at first only happened on right hand turns (near full lock) it can now be heard during normal driving when the weight of the car shifts forwards and backwards (nb. It needs to alternate - it will clunk once forward, then once backwards and so on, but not twice forward or backwards in a row. A bit like something leans into the front then shifts back and vice versus). The clunk is louder when reversing on a right turn for example during reverse parking. Frenquently passers-by will look to see if I’ve hit something or run over something.
- I’ve had three mechanics look at the problem: my trusted mechanic of 20+ years who didn’t know SAABs very well but is a straight shooter; plus two others who work on SAABs more regularly. They all assure me that it is safe to drive as is and that a repair of some sort at some time will fix it. No guarantees which repair it will be but they will try if I agree to pay. Because the issue only sounds when the car is moving it is too dangerous for anyone to stick their nose in to find out exactly what is wrong.
I’ve paid for
- replacing the CV (the general consensus was that it sounded like the CV had gone)
- replacing the control arm
- various boots or bushes (sorry - non-technical person)
So now, the next recommendation is to replace the wheel bearings.
Could anyone confirm this? I know this car costs to keep on the road but I’m not getting value for money at this rate of replacing parts which don’t fix the problem.
Many thanks for reading this far and for any hints!
Cheers, Gus