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1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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I have spent the last solid week trying to replace all of the suspension components (front and rear), and only got as far as getting the front 1/2 done. I have fell into one obstacle after another, and have spent more time staring at the situation to figure out how to tackle it, as well as running to the computer to post for help here on the board.
I won't get into all the events I dealt with (since we've all been there before), but I got to the point where I dropped the lower control arm, looked at it, and then grumbled and put it back in without changing the bushings. I had just about had it. I put in all the new parts on that side (shock, sway bar bushings, ball joints, tie rod end), and proceeded to go the the other side (which was already in pieces since I have been going back and forth between the two sides as I would get to a blockade here and there).
As I was working on the other side, I kept thinking that I really should replace those control arm bushings. It would mean undoing what I just installed to get the lower control arm out. I even went out last night to get threaded rod and washers and nuts to make a home-made press for getting the bushings in and out of the arms.
I will be taking the car to an indy when everything is done since I need the right upper control arm replaced and I had a horrible time trying to get that coil spring out. I will ask him to replace those bushings when he's in there.
If I do the control arm bushings, I will only attempt the lowers; I will not do the uppers, though the right side will get done as I mentioned above. So the left upper control arm will not have new bushings installed.
Am I crazy to be at this point, with everything taken apart and installing all new parts, not to be doing the control arm bushings, or am I justified since I've been at this, day and night, for a solid week and I still have to start and finish the rear suspension? The front suspension never clunked or showed symptoms of worn control arm bushings, and upon inspection, the exterior of them (whatever was protruding out from where they're pressed into the bracket) did not show any tears or rot. The arms themselves felt nice and tight with resistance when I would try to roll them within the brackets.
There is only 130K miles on this car, and it is from the south US (GA). All the parts are not rusty nor any road salt corrosion. It doesn't seem like the car was driven hard. All the parts I have replaced so far are worn but not terribly so. The only one that was really bad is the side that needs the new upper control arm (that ball joint was collapsed).
Anybody, please give me some thoughts here. I'm feeling like a loser for giving up when I came this close (but I'm kinda getting fed up with it all). Working on a classic 900 is much harder than a 9000, and I've done a lot to my 9000, so I'm not a newbie to Saab's or DIY.
Joe
'93 900TC 130K
'98 9000CSET 84K
posted by 67.86.63...
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