MFITCH:

The nature of the Saab rear suspension seems to be very sensitive to side-side imbalance of shock damping rate. If the rear shocks are not evenly balanced in both compression and rebound damping, the "wiggle" you describe is the result. I found it was most noticeable over sharp small bumps, pavement joints or sewer lids that were an inch or 2 below level pavement. You probably find the problem doesn't seem apparent when you pass over large dips and smoother transitions that don't test the compliance of the tire to the road surface as much.

In my case, NO shop would have condemmed the rear shocks. The ride was firm enough and no after-bounce occurred at all when one pumped the rear of the car and the let go. HOWEVER, when I removed the OE shocks and forcefully compressed and extended them, I could detect consistent difference on the compression stroke between them. I am big guy at 225 lb and I put everything I could into that test so others may not get/feel the same result.

The minute I drove the car out of my garage with the Bilstein HDs on and found the nearest bumps I knew would test them, I was mightily impressed with the difference.

Furhter to my earlier post regarding my complaint about too harsh a cold weather ride; this winter it's less of an issue because I now run 205-15/65 X-Ice winter tires which mitigate the winter stiffness of the firmer shocks. In summer temps there is no issue at all (plus the frost heaving is gone from the roads).

Get the Bilstein HD rear shocks. You will be impressed.

Reg

posted by 142.161.109...

• 03 9-5 Linear shock recommendations?, mfitch, Tue, 24 Jan 2006 11:08:45
  • Re: 03 9-5 Linear shock recommendations?, albanysaab, Wed, 25 Jan 2006 03:13:32
  • Very Happy with Bilstein HD Rear Shocks, RegQ, Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:48:39
  • At 45k, that's surprising...., Mike Lynch , Tue, 24 Jan 2006 17:56:13
    • Re: At 45k, that's surprising...., mfitch, Wed, 25 Jan 2006 06:28:28
      • You don't need much shock uneveness to notice., RegQ, Wed, 25 Jan 2006 17:52:53 <-- Viewing This Message

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