Date: 27 Mar 2003 16:02:26 GMT From: davehinznopsamcop.net Subject: Re: 9000 Rear Tire Wear
Someone who looks an awful lot like Ramsey Frist <fristnopsamt.edu> wrote: > Saab 9000s are the first front wheel drive cars that I have owned on which > the rear tires wear faster than the front. With my 1994 CSE, which now > belongs to my son, the inside edges of rear tires show wear first with > slight scalloping. I was told by a Saab mechanic that this is typical and > a good reason to rotate tires. Hm. Scallopped tires are, to my understanding, never typical and are always an indication of an alignment problem. > On the other hand, with my current 1998 > CSE the wear is more on the outside edge of each rear tire and is more > severe, noticeable by 5000 miles. The wear is symmetrical in that both > rear tires show the same degree of uneven wear towards the outside edges. > Since the rear axle is solid I donžt think there is anyway to adjust the > rear suspension geometry. Ah, this would make his statement that "It's normal" make sense in the context that he doesn't have the equipment or knowledge to adjust Saab rear suspensions. If you find a better shop, who has the equipment and knowledge, your tire wear problems will go away, and your handling will improve as well. > If there is I would like to know. Has anyone > else experienced this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks for your > consideration. My 900's rear axle was bent in a collision, and the body shop who did the metal work had the right equipment, information, and experience to do the job. So, that's another place you could check. This is one of the rare times when it might make sense to not go to your Saab mechanic and talk to someone who does 4-wheel alignments for a living. Dave Hinz