SAAB 9-5 99-09 Front Strut Replacement DIY

Changing the front struts of a SAAB 9-5. Sorry for the camera focus in the dark fender well.
Strut Compressor on Amazon: tinyurl.com/hzjnnof
Ingersoll Rand Electric Impact on Amazon: tinyurl.com/zllstvn

[@1shredderx]

For every 10 guys that don't know what they're doing, there's one that does. You're that dude. Great to see a guy who does it correctly. It's just a shame that I don't have all those damn tools.

[@BWTECH0521]

I've been looking at a bunch of videos on how to do this job on my 9-5. This video is by far the best and most detailed. Thank you!!!

[@brettkramer]

Great Video ! Thank you Chad for taking the time and trouble to shoot and post this video, it's a big help!!

[@thebeis]

This video is invaluable! The only additional tip I'd add is you may have to rotate the rotor back and forth to get the assembly to rock back up in place. I had a hell of a time figuring out why I couldn't just lift up on the rotor because is was dropped down at the bottom and wouldn't straighten out. Then after doing the other side and everything fit, I just happened to rotate on the rotor and presto! Fit like a glove!

[@ChadLowers]

Yeah that definitely happens sometimes. Also the inner tripod bearing can unseat from the inner driver cup and you'll have to work the rotor back and forth until it pops in.

[@rangersammy]

I think you just saved me 400 bucks. thanks!

[@shaun3937]

I'm doing mine soon and this vid is definitely going to help thanks. Swapping stock suspension for Bilstein B12 kit which most people recommend as the best upgrade.

[@ChadLowers]

www.ebay.com/itm/MacPherson-Interchangable-Fork-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Extractor-Tool-Set-/271700623796?hash=item3f429e81b4:g:E-gAAOSwaB5XvACX&item=271700623796&vxp=mtr

[@danifer1981]

Thanks for the video - it helped me replace mine!

[@ChadLowers]

Glad I could help!

[@Tommy-gk6bh]

If that top nut is anything like the rear, it’s a total pain to get off. We attached 5 clamps to the shaft and channel locks to the post and it all just spun around in there. Took us a full day to get one assembly.

[@80.8fbettaaquatic8]

If you turn the steering wheel to the left or right. It helps hold the sway bar link nuts....

[@tomvelalis3836]

Great video. Where did you buy the spring compressor? Great heavy duty and portable tool. Searched the net but cant seem to find anything like that

[@ChadLowers]

Perhaps bad lower ball joints or bent lower control arms? You can also get eccentric strut mounting bolts to get slight camber adjustment on the 9-5's and 9-3's since there isn't one from the factory.

[@brettkramer]

Is that a 6mm Hex Socket you're using to tighten the top bolt on the strut? Have you ever seen the strut mounts go bad on these cars?

[@VK4KDD]

You should keep the same position of the center rod of the shock absorber. Thats the safest if you want to avoid gas leakage later on.

[@tubeyou0925]

The rod spins... what are you talking about?

[@saab95performance89]

"Nice video write up. I did mine earlier this summer all around and was the same wear after 100k. Body roll is definitely better. I was hoping the ride smoothness would improve but the Aero stiffness is still pretty brutal..." - TheCleaner on SC forums

[@zaias77]

i tried to order the spring tool, it seem they dont ship to sweden :(

[@Coach2K]

Hey thanks for the video. Do I need an alignment after replacing the struts?

[@ChadLowers]

Not required but it's definitely not a bad idea.

[@brettkramer]

Top nut tightening torque for my 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3T Wagon is 105 nm

[@grigoriykimaev8746]

Could you please recommend struts to use as a replacement for a 2004 Saab 9-3 linear? Thank you for your time.

[@ChadLowers]

Hey there, I really like the Sachs Sport struts. They're SAAB OEM for the Aero models and fit the standard 9-3 and 9-5. Bilstein and Koni make some nice aftermarket options as well.

[@80.8fbettaaquatic8]

Bilinsten

[@brandonlukaszewski9556]

My sway bar end link bolt just keeps spinning at the top. I tried putting a 15mm wrench up in there and it just spins. What should I do?

[@Kyosti5000]

Try securing the end of the bolt with lock pliers and spray some lubricant like wd-40 on the threads. Sometimes those bastards are a pain in the ass.

[@stocks4bt]

where did you get that spring compression tool from?

[@ChadLowers]

Amazon. The link is in the description. It's great!

[@ereseminole]

What was the air socket ...you used to tighten down the strut?

[@sophalmen1989]

O2 sensor tool

[@Ayixlia]

Is this design McPherson?

[@Kyosti5000]

9:45 he speaks of "anti corrosion zinc plate". It is mentioned one can order new ones but I have failed to found anything in the web. Am I using wrong search term or what is the issue here?

[@screwit8408]

Saab part no. 4689378 You can find all Saab part numbers here: saab.7zap.com/en/

[@brettkramer]

Anyone know what brand 22mm O2 socket that is? They are not all created equal and mine did not fit inside the hole in the strut mount.

[@sophalmen1989]

Looks like the snap on one I got, but I’m not so sure but looks the same color tone and all

[@brettkramer]

@@sophalmen1989 I finally found one that worked. I had to purchase a couple of them. Not all O2 sockets are created equal, to do this procedure, you need an O2 socket with a thinner wall.

[@sophalmen1989]

@BrettKramer thanks for the knowledge, cuz my snap on one looks kinda thick. Didn’t get to it today from sun going down but I got my control arm on. Will tackle tomorrow. So that but is a 22mm? And they got a torque star to hold the shaft ? Thanks plenty

[@googlefreeze]

@@brettkramer What brand did you find that worked? I'm currently on the job and my oemtools version was too thick. Looked around just about everywhere and theirs all looked similar or more thick

[@brettkramer]

@@googlefreeze The O2Sensor Socket that worked for me is labeled: ARES (#70323). I may have purchased it on EBAY or Amazon, I don't recall. Although this is a great video, there's quite a bit that the individual doesn't go over, for example, get a replacement ready for your bump stop which may be destroyed, (mine was). He also doesn't talk about the torque setting for the top bolt, ( 105 nm ), which is pretty high, so it's important that you follow your Saab Service Manual, because if you don't get that bolt tightened property, the whole assembly will end up making a lot of noise. Also, getting the exact, stock replacement strut and strut bearings for me was an issue, I finally got it right.

[@jpogera9939]

nice job

[@hausmeisterengineering5952]

Don't any of the bolts need to be torqued down to whatever pound feet?

[@ChadLowers]

I don't have the specific torque settings for any of them. You really want to make sure the top strut nut is really tight though!

[@jpogera9939]

pa here tooo add potholes to ur pa land of lol

[@jpogera9939]

nothing like tools

[@bobavon6048]

The test you did for the strut looking for a fast rebound response upside down is ludicrous and it proves nothing. The spring is responsible for rebound of the strut. Never check a strut upside down.