View Full Version : 9-7x AWD system
Good Afternoon Everyone-
Has anyone had any issues with their 9-7 making sharp turns? I have a '06 and when I make a sharp turn, either backing up or forward, the vehicle seems to struggle, almost like something is holding it back.
My wife is the primary driver, if there are any suggestions other than what I have given my wife "...don't make sharp turns..." would be great.
Thank you for your support,
Kevin G.
'03 9-3 SS
06 9-7x (4.2i)
Tweek's Turbos
04-09-07, 04:39 AM
Do these have push buttom 4wd like the suburban? I can't really recal any oddities when driving the tahoe, and suburban I used to use.
BTW, the 9-7 isnt white is it? I have waved to one that I occasionally see on the back roads between Tysons and Reston.
chiller
04-09-07, 06:00 PM
i have not had that problem, where is the hestitation coming from? front or rear?
thank you for the responses. The AWD system is automatic, the hesitation feels like it coming from the engine, almost a lack of power. It has happened to me once, and a couple of times to my wife.
We just returned from driving to Michigan for the long weekend, and had no problems.
chiller
04-09-07, 07:14 PM
thank you for the responses. The AWD system is automatic, the hesitation feels like it coming from the engine, almost a lack of power. It has happened to me once, and a couple of times to my wife.
We just returned from driving to Michigan for the long weekend, and had no problems.
hmm...i haven't experienced anything like this, i have approx 37k on mine at this point and its still running like a champ, drinking lots of dino juice but still running like a champ...
[BTW, the 9-7 isnt white is it? I have waved to one that I occasionally see on the back roads between Tysons and Reston.[/QUOTE]
It's Carbon Grey (?) with black seats.
hmm...i haven't experienced anything like this, i have approx 37k on mine at this point and its still running like a champ, drinking lots of dino juice but still running like a champ...
I averaged 16.1 mpg for the road trip, it ran great, but thirsty
I had a similar problem, the truck did this when backing out the driveway, SAAB replaced the transmission. At the same time I had a issue with the AC, did not work one afternoon after coming back from lunch. They also replaced the HVAC control mod in the dash. A week later the same thing happened, they had the truck for 8 days, replaced a sensor. The air went out again a day and a half later on a trip to Scottsdale, a 117 Degree F. in Blythe, CA when I called the dealer. They arrainged a service visit to a dealer in Scottsdale. I told the service writer that I thought it was a externial temp sensor (the AC seems to go out when the ext temp went above 100 degrees F.) They did fix the problem with a new sensor and calibration, along with a car wash and has worked well since. By the way the new 2008 Cadillac CTS was on the showroom and I drove one while waiting.......WOWOWOWOWOW. This is the car that SAAB should have brought out. The interior is breathtaking! The 304 hp 3.6 litre V-6 with the 6 speed trans is fantastic, on regular gas!
Tim
chiller
06-09-07, 09:08 PM
By the way the new 2008 Cadillac CTS was on the showroom and I drove one while waiting.......WOWOWOWOWOW. This is the car that SAAB should have brought out. The interior is breathtaking! The 304 hp 3.6 litre V-6 with the 6 speed trans is fantastic, on regular gas!
Tim
this literally, just goes to show that everyone is wow'ed by dif. things, i took it for a drive...hmm...i was less then impressed, its 'ok' but i wouldn't rave about it, LOL :cheesy: :cheesy:
I had a similar problem, the truck did this when backing out the driveway, SAAB replaced the transmission. At the same time I had a issue with the AC, did not work one afternoon after coming back from lunch. They also replaced the HVAC control mod in the dash. A week later the same thing happened, they had the truck for 8 days, replaced a sensor. The air went out again a day and a half later on a trip to Scottsdale, a 117 Degree F. in Blythe, CA when I called the dealer. They arrainged a service visit to a dealer in Scottsdale. I told the service writer that I thought it was a externial temp sensor (the AC seems to go out when the ext temp went above 100 degrees F.) They did fix the problem with a new sensor and calibration, along with a car wash and has worked well since. By the way the new 2008 Cadillac CTS was on the showroom and I drove one while waiting.......WOWOWOWOWOW. This is the car that SAAB should have brought out. The interior is breathtaking! The 304 hp 3.6 litre V-6 with the 6 speed trans is fantastic, on regular gas!
Tim
How many times did the transmission do this until you took your 97 to the dealer?
It had been doing it for a couple of months.
Tim
Good Afternoon Everyone-
Has anyone had any issues with their 9-7 making sharp turns? I have a '06 and when I make a sharp turn, either backing up or forward, the vehicle seems to struggle, almost like something is holding it back.
My wife is the primary driver, if there are any suggestions other than what I have given my wife "...don't make sharp turns..." would be great.
Thank you for your support,
Kevin G.
'03 9-3 SS
06 9-7x (4.2i)
Also experiencing same problem... put it in nuetral and it goes away. Repeatedly, have brought back to SAAB - service dept.calls it a stability control failure thats linked to the security system of the vehicle ??? With 36K on the vehicle, noticing the stabilitrak intermittently goes on and off driving with a grinding feel coming from within the steering column. SAAB "cannot duplicate problem" and unable to correct issue. Anybody else remotely experiencing this issue?? Also, the transmission has been changed out.
'06 9-5 2.3T
'06 9-7X 5.3i
If you're in a parking lot making a sharp turn, it is possible for the limited slip differential combined with the AWD to cause a binding feeling. I'm pretty sure that it's normal as long as it's only happening occasionally when you're near full lock.
Tim
concealer404
25-09-07, 03:53 PM
My Olds Bravada does the same thing.
If you're in a parking lot making a sharp turn, it is possible for the limited slip differential combined with the AWD to cause a binding feeling. I'm pretty sure that it's normal as long as it's only happening occasionally when you're near full lock.
TimTim, driving on the highway, occasionally the stabilitrak light in my dahboard starts intermittently flickering with a "shutter" or binding sensation coming from the steering column. This is unrelated to the post earlier.... happens in straightaway driving..any suggestions??
My Olds Bravada does the same thing.
So does my 9-7X and my dad's Bravada. It's remarkable how similar, yet different the Bravada and 9-7X are! I got to compare them both side by side just last week.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/2730000-2730999/2730007_18_full.jpg
A few more pictures here. (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2730007)
Tim, driving on the highway, occasionally the stabilitrak light in my dahboard starts intermittently flickering with a "shutter" or binding sensation coming from the steering column. This is unrelated to the post earlier.... happens in straightaway driving..any suggestions??
Hmm... Not sure on that. I'd get that checked out!
There is an issue with Stabilitrak on some of them. It will turn on the service stabilitrak light and shut down many of the gauges (fuel level, oil pressure, water temp, and a few others IIRC). It goes away after a ~10 min break and a restart though. My Saab did that to me around 2500 miles while I was on the highway doing 80 (it still ran, but the gauges and service stabilitrak light came on). My dad's Bravada has done that as well. I think it is just an issue with the StabiliTrak computer freezing up and needing to be restarted.
Tim
Tim,
Explored your site link. Great! Tell me more about your lowering experience, parts & #'s, and rear adjustments! Who is the ride now as compared to the stock ride?
Tim
Thanks!
I didn't see anything from other 9-7X owners about lowering, but knew that the 9-7X used a lot of the same stuff as the TBSS (including Bilstein front shocks). I got online and found a kit the TBSS guys use to lower the front.
TBSS Lowering Collars Ebay Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260154461178&rd=1)
Collars How-To Install (http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1535)
Collars - more info (http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044)
The biggest difference I found when I tore into the front end was that our Bilsteins are black not yellow! The collars reuse the stock springs and shocks and allow you to return to stock at any time. For me, that was a huge bonus. They lower the front end by 1.5" even when using both spacers that come with the kit. Your camber will be thrown off and you will need an alignment. On mine, I had 2 degrees of camber in the front before the alignment. After, I had roughly 1 degree on both sides.
I lowered the rear end by playing with the airbag adjusters. I recommend a 15mm socket wrench, a 15mm wrench plus lots of extensions, and a long pry bar. I used the socket wrench to get the bolts loose and get it initially lower. After it was initially lower, I was able to easily get to the adjuster through the wheel (the smaller diameter of the wheels makes it more difficult at stock ride height). I then used the pry bar to set the height where I wanted it (to lower, tilt the top of the adjusters forward) and the extended wrench to tighten it. This takes a lot of patience and trial and error. If you go too low, the ride quality will severely suffer. I did at first and raising the rear just another 1/4 to 1/2" made a huge difference.
Rear airbag lowering how-to (http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34)
In the end, it cost me roughly $150 in parts to get 1.5" lower all around. I spent a day doing the lowering. I could probably go back in and reverse everything in about two hours. I wasted a lot of time with the wrong type of puller for the lower shock mount. Once I had the correct one, the mount came right off.
The ride is pretty much like stock. The front feels roughly the same. I'm not sure the rear feels quite as solid as stock though. I may raise the ride height in the rear slightly in the future. If you're looking for an improvement in handling, this isn't it (although it probably doesn't hurt either). I would really have to ride in mine and a stock one back to back to determine if there is a difference, and if so, what it is.
If you're after a sportier look, this may be perfect. The car doesn't look ridiculously low, but it does look lower. I'm 6' and can now see the roof top while standing next to the car. My Grandmother made the comment that she likes my 9-7X better than my dad's Bravada because it's easier to get into. I have pictures of my car next to a stock Bravada after the lowering and by itself both before and after the lowering. It's 2.5" lower than that stock Bravada.
I hope I answered most/all of your questions. If you have any more, please let me know!
Tim