9-3 Aero suspension
Discussion
Had my Aero nearly 2 months ago. While on the whole it is a fine car, the ride in it is very harsh and rattly upon the rough roads of West Yorkshire.
Thinking perhaps that the rear supsension sounded creaky when travesing speed humps, I got a dealer to look at it and they changed the rear dampers under warranty. While the creaks have gone, the ride only just falls short of tooth shattering.
Just wondering how other 9-3 Aero owners find theirs and whether anyone has gone down the route of getting softer springs to tame the beast into more of a cruise mobile (like my old 9-5 was).
>> Edited by TUS 373 on Monday 8th May 15:58
Thinking perhaps that the rear supsension sounded creaky when travesing speed humps, I got a dealer to look at it and they changed the rear dampers under warranty. While the creaks have gone, the ride only just falls short of tooth shattering.
Just wondering how other 9-3 Aero owners find theirs and whether anyone has gone down the route of getting softer springs to tame the beast into more of a cruise mobile (like my old 9-5 was).
>> Edited by TUS 373 on Monday 8th May 15:58
Right - that's the "new" shape then. I'm not sure about changing it on an aero - with the later ones did they come with what Saab call a "sports chassis"? My 02 aero rag-top (hence "old shape"
has this and the ride is distinctly firm - I don't mind that myself however.
I'm not sure what the "sports chassis" has that's different, or if you could de-sport it - I'm sure someone on here does though
has this and the ride is distinctly firm - I don't mind that myself however. I'm not sure what the "sports chassis" has that's different, or if you could de-sport it - I'm sure someone on here does though
Yep, it is a 9-3 Sports Saloon - would have been helpful if I had made that clear in the first place. 
It does, as you say, have the "Sports Chassis" which is 10mm lower and I would imagine therefore has stiffer dampers and springs, thicker/stiffer anti-roll bars.
Saab even claim that the chassis is double the stiffness of the prior 9-3. Problem is, the whole car seems to bang and shake on our local pot holed roads more than anything else I have even driven. I did have a similar sensation in my Tuscan until I got Nitron adjustable suspension fitted which I kept turning down to the soft end of the spectrum which helped alot. The Saab dampers on the back have been renewed and do not seem to make any difference, except that I shall be seeing more of the dentist in years to come!
It does, as you say, have the "Sports Chassis" which is 10mm lower and I would imagine therefore has stiffer dampers and springs, thicker/stiffer anti-roll bars.
Saab even claim that the chassis is double the stiffness of the prior 9-3. Problem is, the whole car seems to bang and shake on our local pot holed roads more than anything else I have even driven. I did have a similar sensation in my Tuscan until I got Nitron adjustable suspension fitted which I kept turning down to the soft end of the spectrum which helped alot. The Saab dampers on the back have been renewed and do not seem to make any difference, except that I shall be seeing more of the dentist in years to come!
TUS 373 said:
Yep, it is a 9-3 Sports Saloon - would have been helpful if I had made that clear in the first place.
It does, as you say, have the "Sports Chassis" which is 10mm lower and I would imagine therefore has stiffer dampers and springs, thicker/stiffer anti-roll bars.
My 9-5 Aero is noticably harsh at lower speeds but much improved one the speed picks up. Have you experimented with driving faster .... :
More seriously, what wheel and tyre combination is fitted? Have you played with the pressures?
Saab suggests quite high pressures on the 9-5 but the dealer service pressures always seem much lower on its return. On the other hand handling suffers. So I run the Saab pressures and live with the harsher ride under 40 ish. It's a matter of personal choice but it took me a while to feel content with it after the cruisers I had had previously. Still, at least I know I can overtake things rapidly and safely once again and that more than makes up for the low speed ride. However I don't feel the need for getting to know a dentist intimately so it may be your problem is much worse than mine.
Have you thought about getting one of the rubbery gum shield things?
I find mine too soft (although its old model aero), want to swap I do find the ride seems to maximise bumps, while leans to much into corners. I think stiffer springs and softer suspension settings may be the way forward. (although could be wrong!) Might be worth giving Abbott Racing a ring.
I do find the ride seems to maximise bumps, while leans to much into corners. I think stiffer springs and softer suspension settings may be the way forward. (although could be wrong!) Might be worth giving Abbott Racing a ring.Thanks guys.
Yes, I called Abbot. No answer on the phone though, whenever I called - rather disappointing.
The car is fine at speed, it is below 40 mph on roads that are anything but perfectly smooth that the suspension seems rather 'crashy'. No problem in the handling department though. I was wondering whether softer springs may be the way to go.
Whatever happens, the car is being serviced next week so I will be getting the dealer to do a warranty inspection on the whole suspension. I have heard of some 9-3SS getting replacement front struts before now, but maybe my front dampers have had their best, or bushes need replacing. Good job I have an NHS dentist. He supply the gum shields free of charge!
Yes, I called Abbot. No answer on the phone though, whenever I called - rather disappointing.
The car is fine at speed, it is below 40 mph on roads that are anything but perfectly smooth that the suspension seems rather 'crashy'. No problem in the handling department though. I was wondering whether softer springs may be the way to go.
Whatever happens, the car is being serviced next week so I will be getting the dealer to do a warranty inspection on the whole suspension. I have heard of some 9-3SS getting replacement front struts before now, but maybe my front dampers have had their best, or bushes need replacing. Good job I have an NHS dentist. He supply the gum shields free of charge!
OK then. Good to know that there are at least 2 of us here then. I'll get it checked next week under warranty. If they say its OK, then its OK. I will have to move to an area with smoother roads.
Would be interesting to swap some other notes on the Aero - especially with anyone who has the sentronic box. Many thanks.
Would be interesting to swap some other notes on the Aero - especially with anyone who has the sentronic box. Many thanks.
TUS 373 said:
I will have to move to an area with smoother roads.
When you find an area with any significant amount of smooth roads could you mail all of us? Wouldn't want to go too public and force the price of housing up so we should keep the location quiet.
Had my aircon serviced yesterday which included finding a couple of leaking seals thus explaining why it was not working. Also the strange, frequent, roaring bearing noise has gone - must've been the empty compressor though it has been like that since the last service at the end of June last year! Odd. Anyway the point of telling this is that my 300+ mile round trip to south London in the last 24hrs was nice and cool. And the fuel consumprion seems much improved (though only the aircon was serviced) and the noise is completely gone making the whole vehicle much more serene. Stranger still, the ride seemed more comfortable.
There must've been something pretty powerful in the cleaning stuff they flushed through the air ducts ....
Anyway, try having your aircon serviced and see of it makes the ride any better!
TUS 373 said:
Aircon service = better ride quality? Well failing everything else, yes, I will give it a try!
Just reminded me that I should take a look at the tyre pressures. Not something I have done since getting the car nearly two months ago. Oh the shame of it!
Tush tush - what did I say in my Monday post?
TUS 373 said:
Exactly. That was what reminded me. It has the standard boneshaker 17" wheels with 215/45s fitted IIRC. I need to get some air blown in, but I'm sure that won't stop all the rattles.
Maybe not. I don't think I have had any rattles to deal with. But I do prefer the higher pressures though at first experience you may think the ride is harsher than before. Thing is it is, marginally, for the small bumps but seems to ride the big ones better. I guess the 'harder' tyre is letting the suspension work rather than absorbing more than it is designed for on a 45 section.
The other interesting thing to know is what tyres you have fitted. The 9-5 came with Michelins which have surprised me enough that I kept to the brand when the fronts needed a change.
On previous big cars, admittedly rear wheel drive and without the relatively low profile tyres, different tyres have made a very noticable difference to handling, comfort and road noise. Also a suspension alignment check which worked wonders on my Omega.
All things worth considering, though if two of you have similar experiences it may mean it is more endemic than can be tuned out by simple tyre experiments.
Michelin Pilots, probably the same as yourself. No experience of them before and of course the only way to experiment would be when they are worn out. Judging by the tread on the fronts, they have a few thousand miles left on them. I need to try harder!
I will put some air in today and see how it fairs.
My 9-3 is definitely more rattly then my 9-5 was. The panels, bumpers etc on the 9-5 feel more robust to the touch. Tapping on the door skins reveals and 'thunk' from the 9'5, but a more 'tinny' sound on the 9-3. I WILL get the 9-3 sorted out though, even if it involves taking all the door card out and putting adhesive foam strips in. I like a car with no squeaks etc - and have to have everything arranged properly in the glovebox so they don't rattle! I like refinement!
I will put some air in today and see how it fairs.
My 9-3 is definitely more rattly then my 9-5 was. The panels, bumpers etc on the 9-5 feel more robust to the touch. Tapping on the door skins reveals and 'thunk' from the 9'5, but a more 'tinny' sound on the 9-3. I WILL get the 9-3 sorted out though, even if it involves taking all the door card out and putting adhesive foam strips in. I like a car with no squeaks etc - and have to have everything arranged properly in the glovebox so they don't rattle! I like refinement!
TUS 373 said:
Michelin Pilots, probably the same as yourself.
Yep. Though my 9-5 is an Estate so the spec is for Extra Load rated tyres which may be subtly different. I do prefer the Saab recommended pressure settings to the somewhat lower settings the dealer seems to use. Interestingly the VX dealers used to do the same thing (set lower pressures) when I had an Omega. Never did find out why.
Of course your settings may be the other way around and my comments completely off the mark.
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