Well, I'm surprised ... my car passed the MOT today!

[BigMike]

I was expecting a big bill, but my car passed the MOT today.

There were a few bulbs dim or out, low oil in the power steering and a blowing exhaust, but the garage corrected those then passed it just charging me £15 extra.

One notification - the front shocks are a bit soft. 

I was expecting it to fail on an engine mounting or bulkhead cracking or something because if I go over a bump in the road, the whole front shakes a lot, so much so that it has come out of gear a few times.

I have heard that convertibles have rubbish handling, but that can't be normal, surely?

Mike
'99 9-3 convertible

[Audax]

That's fairly typical for the convertibles, I don't like them at all for that reason

One thing is it might be that the bottom arms at the front (don't call them front bottom arms!!) are starting to get worn which makes it worse, also 17" wheels makes it quite terrible, 16" (and 15") wheels are much nicer for this reason.

[steventon95]

My GM900 2.5 passed it's MOT yesterday as well. A few minor advisories but otherwise all OK for another twelve months.

May do a bit of rust-proofing underneath. Anybody know a good outfit SE England? I'm getting too old to grovel underneath.

[BigMike]

That's fairly typical for the convertibles, I don't like them at all for that reason

There was an advisory about the suspension units, so I'll have them replaced sometime and see if that helps.

One thing is it might be that the bottom arms at the front (don't call them front bottom arms!!)

tee hee

are starting to get worn which makes it worse, also 17" wheels makes it quite terrible, 16" (and 15") wheels are much nicer for this reason.

wouldn't worn arms be picked up by the MOT?

Thanks,

Mike

[Audax]

wouldn't worn arms be picked up by the MOT?

Depends on the tester and how lazy he was. I've known cars to pass the MOT when they had no rear lights working due to a broken wire but the tester insisted that they were working at the time of the test!

Even then, if the arms are a bit worn it won't be an MOT fail and depending on the tester he may or may not advise it. If they advised every single thing that they should with a full report the MOT would take much longer to do.

[BigMike]

I know the MOT tester, so it is always possible he was being "kind" to me, though I was really hoping to have a diagnosis of the issue.

Audax, do you have a diagram of the bottom arms and where they wear?  Is it easy to spot the wear?

Can anyone recommend suspension units?  Neo Bros has some SAAB originals.  Are there any others worth looking at?

Thanks,

Mike

[Audax]

Neo only seem to offer alternatives for about £50 each? The genuine Saab ones are easily the highest quality just they cost over £250 each. The aftermarket parts... well the quality differs greatly. Some of the better ones last about 5 or 6 years some of the poor ones only last a year. You can't spot the wear you need to get a pry bar into various points around the suspension and see how much give there is. Keep in mind that the convertible isn't the greatest car for scuttle shake to start with so even small amounts of wear in the arms along with 17" wheels can make them deeply unpleasant to drive. Another thing, it doesn't have lowered suspension does it? The worst one I've ever driven was on rock hard springs, with 18" wheels along with nasty tyres and worn suspension, apparently this was all OK as it looked cool, car was flipping dangerous to drive though

[BigMike]

I was thinking these things would do the trick:

http://www.neobrothers.co.uk/front-shock-absorber-genuine-saab-9802-p-2667.html

The front isn't lowered - its standard. I recently fitted 15" wheels.

Thanks,

Mike

[Audax]

Aaah, I meant the bottom arms might be worn, these things:

http://www.neobrothers.co.uk/control-ball-joint-left-alternative-saab-ng900-p-1573.html

I can see we were talking across purposes now! 

[BigMike]

Thanks Audax, much appreciated.

Regards,

Mike

[93-conv]

I have heard that convertibles have rubbish handling, but that can't be normal, surely?

Mike
'99 9-3 convertible
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hi Mike,
sadly it is but with a few mods you can have the car you deserve.
Pfs steering wheel brace, cured the vague steering feel and wander!
Abbots front sub brace, cured the wobble and shudder as you go over bumps
22mm rear anti roll bar cured the body roll when cornering.
all in all car is now very stable and no shaking etc, a nice drive compared to before.
just thought i`d mention as you don`t have to put up with a poor driving experience.

[BigMike]

Thanks - much appreciated.

Mike

[Geoff 9-3]

4 point brace fitted to mine from speedparts and abbot rack clamp plus powerflex lower arm bushes car handles like it should now.