Episode 14 - 9-3 Front Strut & Spring

In Episode 14, we'll remove the MacPherson Strut from the Front O/S of a 2004 9-3 Convertible, replace the spring and then place the the strut back onto the car.

[@23fm]

useful, thanks.

[@kelvinhopes8410]

Biggest tip I have to add, is youre best off to crack the top mount nut while the strut is still on the car. So with all the pressure of the car still on it. No jack underneath etc the first bolt to tackle. Obviously don't undo all the way for obvious reasons but the pressure of the car generally holds the strut in place and let's you crack the nut without having the problems of having to hold it with the dodgy torx or Allen in the centre 🤣

[@saabfeverfrank]

thanks for the tip, I may try that next time. To be honest, that had never occurred to me as I had the strut compressor already but it could have saved me buying the extra tools!

[@kelvinhopes8410]

@@saabfeverfrank Leave the nut on a few threads, still have to use the compressors. But just means once the strut is relatively unloaded the whole shock shaft doesn't spin when undoing nut, particularly if corroded.

[@TheJensenInterceptor]

Really good video , now I can do my own on my 1999 Viggen convertible..... cheers

[@garyfox8701]

Nice... don't know where you imported the weather from though? So... my '04 9-3 had been standing outside my firm for five years. Managed to get it going with a jump start and got it home... It had a broken spring on it but I opted for a second hand part... one in one out... seemed straight forward those two big bolts.. three baby ones on the top and a sway bar. Getting the wheel off... car has been immobile since 2016. The nuts were stiff but I thought I managed to turn them... turns out I snapped them... not one or two... five. It's still snowing... early March... I spent two days trying to drill out the studs and only gave in when I snapped the last of 8 drill bits. Now I need to order a new hub. Hub looks easy... three bolts... Need to get the pinch bolt out from the ball joint... impossible! Seized... welded... and like you I have no special tools... a butter knife and an ice hammer... Took me two days to hammer, chisel, wrench, jack and pry. Now to get the hub off the axle... same... but worse. Everything they say about how not to mushroom your axle I ignored... I mangled that thread up good and proper... ordered a new axle. Could I get the axle out of the transmission? Eventually... but I ruptured my hernia doing it... For 10 days the car was on jack stands... ample enough time for the thieving tykes round here to swipe my middle silencer... they thought it was the cat. So I put the hub on... dead proud and dead chuffed... torqed it... Took it to the car... I've left off the dust cover... much swearing believe me... Took it apart... put the cover on... torqued it up... presented it to the car.... the dust cover is on back to front!!! Grrrrr So... for the sake of an easy fix... And the brand new pinch bolt wouldn't go back in either!!! Blooming Saabs.

[@saabfeverfrank]

What an absolute nightmare. I feel for you! This one has been stationary for about 18 months, now that it's back on the road, it needs a head gasket!!!

[@bgarcia1406]

What are the names and size of the tools to take the top of the strut

[@saabfeverfrank]

This is similar to the kit I have:- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283598793601?epid=19017020478&hash=item4207ce2b81:g:bwMAAOSw7HFdaTNb

[@bgarcia1406]

Thank you sooooo much 🙌🙌🙌

[@EstavanPL]

Is it important to use this blue coil spring guard? 21:48

[@saabfeverfrank]

I honestly don't know! I doubt that it does much though. I only included it because it was in the parts catalogue.

[@EstavanPL]

@@saabfeverfrank My new springs are trembling when I move the steering wheel. Front struts are also new. I suppose it's lack of these spring guards.

[@rezaq1]

You put that rotten worn out shock back on?!

[@saabfeverfrank]

Yeah, I probably shouldn't have but at the time my mindset was to get it through the MOT and replacing the shock wouldn't have helped in that regard.