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Car Forum / Saab Cars / May 2005

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1994 900 SE Ball Joint Problem HELP NEEDED

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saintzal - 09 May 2005 21:59 GMT
Dear All,
I had posted a message on this board previously in regards to loose
ball joints on my Saab (1994 Saab 900SE turbo coupe).

The problem is simple... for the 1994 year, the ball joints and control
arm are all attached.  After and prior to '94, Saab had a different
design.  As such I cannot find any aftermarket or used ball joints
anywhere.

My question is this:  Does anyone ANYONE know of any aftermarket ball
joints/control arms, or used Saab parts.  I am located just outside
Detroit Michigan, but would be willing to pay shipping for the part
from anywhere.  Anywhere.

Thank you
Grunff - 09 May 2005 22:11 GMT
> The problem is simple... for the 1994 year, the ball joints and control
> arm are all attached.  After and prior to '94, Saab had a different
> design.

This does not sound likely. It is certainly not the case for UK cars.

Do you have the chassis number? Do you know what the arm looks like?

Is it like this:
<http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_420&products_id=1670>

Or like this:
<http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_420&products_id=1876>

Signature

Grunff

saintzal - 09 May 2005 22:49 GMT
> > The problem is simple... for the 1994 year, the ball joints and control
> > arm are all attached.  After and prior to '94, Saab had a different
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Is it like this:

<http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_420&products_id=1670>

> Or like this:

<http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_420&products_id=1876>

> --
> Grunff

Well, I do have the VIN number.... YS3DN35N6R2034639.
Again this is a 1994 (first year of the new style) 900SE turbo (coupe).
The engine is a 2.0 litre four cyl.  Is this enough info?  If not,
where can I find the chasis number?  Thanks again for your help, I'll
be looking forward to your reply.

Zal
Dexter J - 10 May 2005 00:26 GMT
Salutations:

> Dear All,
> I had posted a message on this board previously in regards to loose
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thank you

Absolutely breath taking, isn't it? Here's the problem in a nutshell.

Unless you can actually check the used a-arm (and I really don't think you  
have any choice about this in your model) you cannot *know* that you are  
getting a unit that has not already been damaged - or is not at least as  
worn as the one you are taking out - until after you pay for shipping and  
labour to remove and install.

Guess what breaks first in a roll over and/or the several kinds of  
side-swipes? Guess what wears out first on most mid-northern states and  
provinces? I don't know exactly how it is around Detroit - but around here  
it looks like the roads have been shelled come spring. Sort of like all  
the 1st World War pix of No-Man's Land really.

Anyway - your least worst option if you choose this path is to find a  
salvage yard you can reach from the local yellow pages (which may be a  
problem with a broken ball joint in your current ride). If you find one  
available for strip - you should then ascertain the condition of both the  
frame bushings and the ball joint manually and in person. Then, assuming  
nothing is clicking, remove the whole assembly including the upper strut  
bearing mounts.

If you can get the whole strut/hub/a-arm assembly - you will have some  
other spares and it probably won't cost you all that much more. Besides,  
it is just as easy to pull everything as a unit than to try to part it out  
in the yard.

Everything at my local haunt seems to cost about $75.00. $50.00, if I pull  
it off myself.

You are looking for a machine that has seen a solid rear-ender and/or  
blown V6 and/or a serious transmission failure. You are *not* looking for  
something that has been rolled or kissed as above or one that has simply  
died of old age - because any or all of these conditions will likely have  
a compromised a-arm or attached bushing.

In all cases - you still may well find that whatever you bolt back in  
there from the used pile is still worn out - or dinged in such a way that  
it will be useless in about 25 miles.

Personally - and I know this really burns brother - I still really think  
you are better off going with dealer item on this one (not shop rates -  
but at least dealer matched part) if possible.

What are you seeing for quotes for a new part so far?

--

Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day
Lester Flatt Earl Scruggs - Corn
http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/011.RAM

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saintzal - 10 May 2005 03:55 GMT
> Salutations:
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> Anyway - your least worst option if you choose this path is to find a

> salvage yard you can reach from the local yellow pages (which may be a
> problem with a broken ball joint in your current ride). If you find one
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> You are looking for a machine that has seen a solid rear-ender and/or

> blown V6 and/or a serious transmission failure. You are *not* looking for
> something that has been rolled or kissed as above or one that has simply
> died of old age - because any or all of these conditions will likely have
> a compromised a-arm or attached bushing.
>
> In all cases - you still may well find that whatever you bolt back in

> there from the used pile is still worn out - or dinged in such a way that
> it will be useless in about 25 miles.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads
> no news no phone in no sign up required - all the Time

Thank you for the idea.  The crap yards in the area do not usually have
Saabs, let alone 1994 Saabs.  As such finding a suspension unit for a
'94 SE turbo might prove a little tricky.  Price quotes for new Saab
parts directly from the dealership is $278 per side plus tax.  As such
it's going to be over $600 just for the parts, which in my mind is
absolute lunacy.  Do you know of anywhere where I can get used Saab
parts?  Possibly an internet site, or Saab used car dealers?  Just a
thought
BL - 10 May 2005 10:47 GMT
You could try Goldwing in New York. They will ship.
If you plan on keeping the vehicle, shop the web for new parts. I've seen
these for sale before.

BL

>> Salutations:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 104 lines]
> parts?  Possibly an internet site, or Saab used car dealers?  Just a
> thought
Dexter J - 10 May 2005 15:32 GMT
Salutations:

> Thank you for the idea.  The crap yards in the area do not usually have
> Saabs, let alone 1994 Saabs.  As such finding a suspension unit for a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> parts?  Possibly an internet site, or Saab used car dealers?  Just a
> thought

Sorry - not meant to tick you off so much as make sure you really  
understood the detail regarding used wear items. I had a 1994 900S and had  
to replace the a-arm for a bad ball joint myself. Very frustrating, but I  
went for a dealer item at the end of the day for exactly the reasons you  
note.

For whatever it may be worth - this ball-joint/a-arm unit is pretty much  
the same for all the majors these days.

That said, I've had some luck with these folks:

http://www.thesaabsite.com/900new/NG900parts.htm

Give them a ring and make sure you are working to vin number because I'm  
not so sure the a-arms are all exactly the same across NG900 models.

Once the pain passes - look at fitting a set of old style (not nivomat)  
9000 rear shocks. You have to ream the lower shock bushing a little bit to  
make it work, but KYB will do fine.

This mod will really improve the handling 100% without introducing any  
harshness. Does a much better job of controlling body roll in the corners  
than stock.

--

Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Wing
http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/056.RAM

all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads
no news no phone in no sign up required - all the Time
Malt_Hound - 10 May 2005 16:57 GMT
> Thank you for the idea.  The crap yards in the area do not usually have
> Saabs, let alone 1994 Saabs.  As such finding a suspension unit for a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> parts?  Possibly an internet site, or Saab used car dealers?  Just a
> thought

Don't go to the stealer to buy parts.  You can get the scat tech parts
(which are refurbished SAAB OE parts) for $100 each.

again, go here: www.eEuroparts.com

-Fred W
Malt_Hound - 10 May 2005 16:49 GMT
> Dear All,
> I had posted a message on this board previously in regards to loose
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thank you

Best prices on most of this kind of stuff can usually be found here:

<http://www.eeuroparts.com>

-Fred W
ethanmorris@gmail.com - 11 May 2005 09:56 GMT
> Dear All,
> I had posted a message on this board previously in regards to loose
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thank you
 
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