1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
my front end was "popping" or "clunking" more and more, mostly during parking efforts where speed was low and wheels were turned severely. so after a little research and few questions posted here, i thought i needed a front end re-torquing and was directed to the service bulletin at genuinesaab.com. (thank you for the help, guys).
so i needed a few things done--oil change, inspection renew, door-ding pull-out--and made an appointment with my local dealer. i printed out the the bulletin. when i got to the dealer the service advisor gave me a "Where did you get this?" (complete with accompanying attitude) when i produced the bulletin after explaining the symptoms and suggesting my theory of the problem/solution.
....he took one look at the bulletin and literally threw it on the roof of my car saying "It won't work. I’m telling you right now, this won’t fix it.” I didn't get defensive... just smiled and said "what do you think the problem is?"
-"Strut towers. They need to be replaced."
-"How much is that?"
-"Thousand bucks."
-"Can't do that.... how much is it to just try…”
At this point he picks the bulletin back up, and says:
-“I can write this up just as it says here—it’s only x hour units for labor time.”
-“What’s that come out to?”
-“about 65 bucks”
-“Perfect. Let’s do it.”
-“It’s not going to do anything, tho. I’ve been doing this 30years.”
-(this is me,) “What problem do you think this bulletin is for.”
-“More of a squeaky, groaning that happens when you go over bumps when it’s cold.”
-“Ahhh. Ok, let’s just do it anyway. What the hell”
-“Yep, no problem.”
He writes the rest of my order up and is perfectly nice, friendly—he’s a good guy.
RESULTS: front end no longer “pops” or clunks when turned and the whole unit feels more unified over bumps of all kinds. Retorque treatment was a Total Success.
LEARNING: I spend more time caring for and thinking about my car than 99.99% of the car-owning population. I check saabnet almost every day. What type of snowball’s chance in Hell does the average person have of being able to affordably maintain a car like this? (and when I say “car like this” I mean all but the most Consumer Reports-loved automobiles.)
Also: some of these f**kin’ service guys… they’re almost as bad as doctors.
Sorry for the rant.
-j
posted by 199.229...
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