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Car Forum / Saab Cars / June 2006

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NG 900

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mkw - 09 Jun 2006 15:51 GMT
Just purchased a 95 900S for my son to use in college.  At 70mpg there
is a mild-moderate steering wheel shimmy.  I'll get the wheels
balanced today.  But if that doesn't cure it...what's the next
diagnostic sequence?

Thanks in advance.
MKW
Nasty Bob - 09 Jun 2006 16:41 GMT
> Just purchased a 95 900S for my son to use in college.  At 70mpg there
> is a mild-moderate steering wheel shimmy.  I'll get the wheels
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> MKW

At 70mpg I could live with a little shimmy..
(sorry, someone was going to jump on that one)
Fred W - 09 Jun 2006 20:40 GMT
> Just purchased a 95 900S for my son to use in college.  At 70mpg there
> is a mild-moderate steering wheel shimmy.  I'll get the wheels
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> MKW

My 900s (1998) only gets about 30mpg, but assuming that you meant 70mph,
it *will* be wheel balance or a bent wheel.  Brake disk warpage will
sometimes cause wheel shimmy, but usually at a much lower speed.

Signature

-Fred W

mkw - 10 Jun 2006 00:13 GMT
What...you only get 30mpg???  Yes, I meant 70mpH.
Good news...balance or bent, thanks.

MKW

>> Just purchased a 95 900S for my son to use in college.  At 70mpg there
>> is a mild-moderate steering wheel shimmy.  I'll get the wheels
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>it *will* be wheel balance or a bent wheel.  Brake disk warpage will
>sometimes cause wheel shimmy, but usually at a much lower speed.
ma_twain - 10 Jun 2006 02:36 GMT
I had a NG900S that had slight "shimmy". I took it to a trusted Saab
shop and I was told this was normal for the NG900s.  The design of the
NG900 suspension changed from the Classic 900s, which is why the
"shimmy" was so noticeable. You can take to a shop and have the wheels
checked  for bent rims and out of balance. You could get the front end
alignment and the steering rack checked for your peace of mind.  It did
not cost me anything because the car was under warranty at the time.

Other issues with the car led me to sell the NG900S.  Check the forum
for other posts on issues with the NG900 design. Expensive repair
points to look for: automatic transmission control module, GM V6 engine,
AC system design, minor and major electrical failures.

Hope your son has better luck with his!

> What...you only get 30mpg???  Yes, I meant 70mpH.
> Good news...balance or bent, thanks.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
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mkw - 10 Jun 2006 02:54 GMT
Thanks.  It's got 5sp manual, 4cyl 2.3l, but it does have an
electrical and AC system.  

Thanks Again.

MKW

>I had a NG900S that had slight "shimmy". I took it to a trusted Saab
>shop and I was told this was normal for the NG900s.  The design of the
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
>> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
Richard Sutherland-Smith - 10 Jun 2006 03:05 GMT
> I had a NG900S that had slight "shimmy". I took it to a trusted Saab
> shop and I was told this was normal for the NG900s.
Abbott Racing in the UK
www.abbottracing.com
sell a steering rack clamp kit for the 900/9-3; perhaps it is to solve
this problem?

Signature

Richard Sutherland-Smith
 19 Webb Road, Wanganui 4500, NZ

Laura K - 10 Jun 2006 22:00 GMT
> I had a NG900S that had slight "shimmy". I took it to a trusted Saab
> shop and I was told this was normal for the NG900s.  

I've got a 1997 900SE (manual, 4 cyl turbo). I've don't have a problem with
shimmy at 70 mph. Or 80 or 90 mph or higher for that matter.
Check air pressure and tires for signs of uneven wear.
Fred W - 11 Jun 2006 21:00 GMT
> I had a NG900S that had slight "shimmy". I took it to a trusted Saab
> shop and I was told this was normal for the NG900s.  The design of the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> to look for: automatic transmission control module, GM V6 engine, AC
> system design, minor and major electrical failures.

You were told a load of crap.  I own 2 NG900's and an '03 9-3SS.  None
of them have any sign of a shimmy, slight or otherwise.  There is
nothing wrong with the NG 900 suspension design.

I had a 2000 9-3SE convertible for a while that had the original 16"
wheels on it when I bought it.  It had all sorts of shimmy and vibration
when I bought it, which was one of the reasons I got it cheaply.

The OE wheels on those car were way too soft and in 60 k miles had
become badly out of round.  A new set of wheels (and tires) and it rode
nice and smooth.  I sold it soon after for other reasons...

Signature

-Fred W

- Bob - - 12 Jun 2006 02:10 GMT
NG900's do not always vibrate but they are very sensitive to any
problems with the suspension. When everything is right, they are
smooth at all speeds. Possibilities, in rough order of occurrence -

- out of balance wheels / tires
- bent wheel(s)
- bad tires
- outer control arm bushings worn (typically only vibrates under
acceleration but there are exception)
- inner driver(s) worn (again, mostly under acceleration)
- stanchion arm bushings worn
- brake problem causing shimmy (most brake problems only occur when
braking, typically at higher speeds).
- CV joint (typically has other common CV joint symptoms)
- subframe loose
- loose steering rack mounts

Unless the problems are only under braking, have the wheels and tires
balanced on a Hunter GSP700. It doesn't matter if you had them done by
a top-notch wheel guy - unless it feels perfect after that, you need
to get the road force balance done on a GSP9700. Costs no more than
other balancing and there _is_ a difference. Trust me.
http://www.gsp9700.com to find one near you.

The GSP9700 will not only fix any balance issue that can be fixed, but
it will give you specs on wheel trueness and out-of-round. It will
also give you numbers on the tire's problems (uneven road force). If
you have problems after that, post again with most specific e.g. only
under acceleration, braking, etc.
mkw - 12 Jun 2006 05:24 GMT
Great note...thanks for the thoughtful reply.  I will follow thru in
sequence and let you know what happens.

Thanks again.

MKW

>NG900's do not always vibrate but they are very sensitive to any
>problems with the suspension. When everything is right, they are
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>you have problems after that, post again with most specific e.g. only
>under acceleration, braking, etc.
ShazWozza - 11 Jun 2006 09:15 GMT
>> Just purchased a 95 900S for my son to use in college.  At 70mpg there
>> is a mild-moderate steering wheel shimmy.  I'll get the wheels
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> it *will* be wheel balance or a bent wheel.  Brake disk warpage will
> sometimes cause wheel shimmy, but usually at a much lower speed.

Had exactly the same problem with a 96 model NG900 several years ago. Wheel
balancing didn't help, the wheels weren't bent (had them tested for
trueness).  I was convinced that it was therefore a drive shaft problem
especially since it seemed to be more pronounced on left hand turns than
right hand turns and at certain throttle openings.

I was expecting to fork out largish $ for drive shaft surgery so I was
pleasantly surprised when my mechanic told me it was just a loose
pinch-bolt.  Cheap fix for me - though your mileage may differ.
 
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