Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Saab 9-3 I

Removal & Installation (9-3 Series)

With engine removed, raise and support vehicle. Disconnect exhaust pipe and suspend with wire. Install a stand under subframe. Loosen 2 front subframe retaining bolts. Remove 4 retaining bolts and 2 retaining nuts at rear of subframe. Lower subframe at rear. Remove 2 nuts securing anti-roll bar. Remove anti-roll bar 2 retaining clamps. Remove anti-roll bar. (Scheme 3) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 3

Removal (9-5 Series)

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove "U" clamps. Remove ball joint-to-control arm bolts. Remove anti-roll bar links. Remove anti-roll bar.

Installation

Reverse removal procedure to install. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Removal (9-3 Series)

Remove MacPherson strut. See STRUT ASSEMBLY. Press front wheel hub off wheel bearing. Remove circlips from MacPherson strut. Press out wheel bearing. (Scheme 4) See WHEEL BEARING.

Scheme 4

Install outer circlip on steering knuckle. Opening in circlip should face downward. Lubricate bearing seat. Press in wheel bearing until it contacts circlip.

1. Remove hub cap and hub nut. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove caliper assembly. Support caliper assembly with wire. Remove brake disc. Remove ABS sensor retaining bolt and sensor.
2. Remove hub-to-steering knuckle bolts. Pull hub from drive axle shaft. Remove brake backing plate. Separate tie rod end from steering knuckle. Separate MacPherson strut from steering knuckle.
3. Move ABS sensor lead bracket aside. Remove ball joint-to-steering knuckle bolt. Move steering knuckle aside. Support CV joint on control arm. Remove steering knuckle.

Clean end of drive axle shaft and hub. Apply Loctite to exposed area of drive axle shaft after installing hub. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Pump brake pedal to position brake pads. Adjust wheel alignment if necessary. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove anti-roll bar nut. Loosen ball joint nut. Press out ball joint. Remove ball joint nut. Remove support arm-to-lower control arm nut. Remove lower control arm-to-subframe bolt. (Scheme 5) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 5

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Loosen anti-roll bar nut and ball joint nut. Press out ball joint. Remove bolts securing support arm to lower control arm and support arm to subframe. Using a large bar as a lever, remove support arm. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove 3 ball joint retaining bolts. Remove anti-roll bar-to-control arm nut. Loosen anti-roll bar link-to-anti-roll bar nut. Move steering knuckle aside.
2. Separate anti-roll bar link from control arm. Remove 2 control arm-to-subframe nuts. Push bolts toward engine as far as possible. Remove retaining bolts and reinforcement plate. Pry control arm toward steering knuckle to remove. Remove ball joint retaining bolt. Remove ball joint.

Note. To avoid damage to rubber bushing, DO NOT tighten rear control arm mounting nut until car is on ground.

Place control arm into position. Support control arm weight. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel alignment if necessary. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Removal & Installation (9-5 Series)

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT . Press out bushing. Press in new bushing using Sleeve (87 91 204). Use only petroleum jelly for lubrication during installation.

1. Slightly loosen hub center nut. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel bolts. Remove wheel. Remove hub center nut. Remove wheel sensor. Use slip-joint pliers and compress brake piston. (Scheme 6) Remove caliper from steering knuckle and suspend with wire. Remove brake rotor and backing plate. (Scheme 7)
2. Loosen tie rod end nut. Press out tie rod end bolt. Remove tie rod end nut and lift out tie rod end bolt. Remove anti-roll bar-to-lower control arm nut. Loosen outer ball joint nut. Press ball joint out of steering knuckle. Remove and discard outer ball joint nut. Remove 3 nuts on upper shock tower. Remove MacPherson strut. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-5242-S03639482482000081000000).

Note. Outer ball joint nut is a self-locking type. DO NOT reuse.

Raise and support front of vehicle. Detach flexible brake hose from clip on strut. Disconnect strut from steering knuckle. Working in engine compartment, remove 3 bolts at top of strut. Remove center nut cap. Lift out strut. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

1. Pull steering knuckle housing and hub from axle shaft and control arms. See «HUB & KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY»(ref-5242-S07253456342000081000000) .
2. Press hub out of steering knuckle assembly. Pull inner bearing race from hub. If no recess is present for puller, chisel race from hub. Remove circlips from steering knuckle assembly and press out bearing.

Note. Pressing hub from steering knuckle assembly damages wheel bearing. Always replace bearing if it has been removed.

Lubricate steering knuckle bearing recess with Molycote Paste "G". Install circlip into inner groove of steering knuckle housing. Press bearing against circlip. Install outer circlip and press bearing into hub.