Fixing the Saggy Back End of My Wife's 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD with the eSaabParts.com Spring Kit!

Welcome to the Channel! In today's episode I do a bunch of suspension work to my wife's 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD including replacing the rear springs with the eSaabParts XWD Suspension Conversion kit! This completely fixed our saggy rear end on the combi that was caused by the factory Nivomat shocks failing and the previous owner replacing them with regular shocks. Replacing the nivomat shocks without changing the springs actually caused the shocks to prematurely fail and leak out all of their oil. This then caused the combi's ride to suffer. The correct way to fix this is with the eSaabParts kits listed below. Since we went with the 10" lowering spring we opted for FWD Aero Manual Transmission front springs to give the car the right height front and rear and went with a stock shock in front.

I also discuss the difference between FWD and XWD rear shock mounts, and why you can use an XWD rear shock mount in a FWD car and why it's BETTER!.

As of the shooting of this video the suspension was settling, but it's turned out perfect. The car now rides and handles well, plus the rear is no longer saggy.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH SPRINGS!

Torque Specs:
Rear Suspension:
Lower Control Arm to Knuckle: 75nm + 90* or 55 lb-ft + 90*
Shock to Mount: 148nm + 90* or 109 lb-ft + 90*
Shock Mount to Body: 53nm or 39 lb-ft

Tools Needed:
Rear Suspension:
Shock Mount to Body: E14 External Torx
Shock to Rear Knuckle: E20 External Torx (Factory Bolt), 21MM (Aftermarket Bolt)
Headlight Level Sensor: 10MM
Control Arm To Knuckle: E18 External Torx on the Bolt, and the Nut is a 18MM.
Shock Top (Bilstein): 17mm + 6mm Hex Key or Bit
Pry Bar
Floor Jack
Jack Stands

Front Suspension:
Strut Mount Bolt: 13MM
Strut to Knuckle: 18MM
Large Hammer (to remove bolts from strut)
Sway Bar End Link: 18MM (and either 15MM or 17MM for the inner flat part depending if it's aftermarket or factory).
Spring Compressor - I prefer the Lisle 62300 -- it's nicknamed the Widow Maker.

Parts:
Front Springs (93190587): https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...
Front Shocks: (93192871): https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...
Front Strut Mount/Bearing Kit: Moog K160241
Front Sway Bar End Link: Master Pro K80477 (O'Reilly Auto Parts -- Limited Lifetime Warranty)

Make Life Easy!
Pre Assembled Front Strut/Spring Kits with mount and end link: https://www.esaabparts.com/viewparts....

Rear Suspension Kits:
Lowered w/Comfort Shocks: https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...
Standard Height w/Comfort Shocks: https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...

Rear Shock Mount (XWD): https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...

WIS: http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t...

Thank you for viewing my video! There will be more to come.

Don't Forget to follow me
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.saabdr.com
Instagram: @thesaabcollector
Twitter: @saabdrwi
Facebook: Saab Dr -   / saabdr  

This video is to be a guide to help people see how to work on their Saab. If you want to see the exact factory directions please look at the Saab Workshop Information System referenced above (WIS). That will give you the exact factory Saab tech guide to working on your Saab. This method incorporates tricks learned from years of working on Saabs. If you have any questions please let me know. This channel is not liable for any injury or death that may occur from someone working on their car. Thank you!