[cklempay]

Hello all -- newbie here, just joined. Good to see what looks to be a pretty lively community!

Question: I am wondering what the 'expected' lifespan on the shocks & struts on my 00 9-5 Aero would be? I'm getting up there...~98k miles so far. The car's handling feels a bit 'squishier' than I recall, and feels like it has a bit more body roll that I remember from its younger days. I don't know if this is all in my head, or if this is actually true/expected, given the car's age and mileage.

If I am likely in need of some replacement componentry, what kind of damage am I looking at ($$$), and does anyone have any recommendations on specific parts?

 

[Chris 9-5]

The 9-5 is quite hard on its rear shocks in particular and I've known them to be replaced at just 60k miles. There are a lot of variables with wear, like load lugging and roads used I guess.

 

[Puli]

Just been told that my rear stocks need replacing after 70,000 miles.

Was quoted £310 +Vat so about $500 for the pair, and there the plain ones, not the Aero's!

I beilive there is loads of other makes out there, but I think you would need to replace the lot. Not sure of price.

Puli

 

[J-Tim]

Hi and welcome!

My suggestion would be to wait until you get completely dissatisfied with handling and replace the whole lot with a set of Bilsteins and good quality springs as well. From what I've heard Bilstein shock absorbers have a very long life span on pretty much any car and give you a much better handling, provided one didn't ****-up with springs.

I haven't replaced mine except one of the rear shocks that started leaking not too long ago, but the plan is to get a set of aftermarket ones, once I sort out all other issues.

Good luck.

 

[pmonfre]

I replaced my rear shocks at about 80K miles - $40.00 Monroes from NAPA. Ride is like night and day. The front struts are much more expensive but I hear they last longer. I'm going to get lowering springs and beefier sway bars when I do the fronts later this year. Have to keep up with Chris...

pm

 

[carllevine]

On my 99 9-5 SE (5M) it feels as though the rear end is kicking to the side when going over bumps. It has 167k and had the rear shocks last replaced around, uh, 50k.
Any advice?

Carl

 

[saabluster]

heh Carl this is Michael in Dallas. Just letting you know whats going on with your old 9000 aero. My rather modest goal is to turn it into the nicest 9000 ever. So far I have B+G and konis, 3" full JT, 18" wheels and some really sticky tires. Some of the stuff I'm doing to it is secret at the moment but I will be at the convention in Vermont to show it off. I'm probably going to get a gt28rs for it and get it tuned when I go up there. Good to see you on the boards.

 

[Chris 9-5]

On my 99 9-5 SE (5M) it feels as though the rear end is kicking to the side when going over bumps. It has 167k and had the rear shocks last replaced around, uh, 50k.
Any advice?

Carl

Change them...............

I really dont agree with the comment about waiting till being totally dis-satisfied with the ride. I thought mine were spongy, then on a left hand bend I met a broken down car, hit the brakes and the back just broke away. No damage done, thankfully :roll:

Its worth checking the codnition of the bushes etc but to be honest if you've managed 117k out oif them they've done pretty well, as you say they often get changed at 50-60k

Saabluster your message would have been better as a PM :nono;

 

[saabluster]

Saabluster your message would have been better as a PM :nono;

Yeah I thought about that after I had done it. Sorry I was just excited to see him on here. Did'nt know he posted on saabcentral.;oops:;oops:

 

[Rocky]

Hello Carl,

change the shocks on both sides. Mine was doing the same thing some weeks ago. The left shock was completely gone (it was like a bicycle pump!!!). With new shocks it handled like a dream again.

Rocky

 

[Alex_W]

I seem to be getting about 50-60k out of my rear shocks, 1st set went about 60k and the other about 110k.
Still on the original fronts though.

 

[Kermit]

With the prices you pay for rear shocks (over £300) and what you will pay eventually for the front struts (over £400), it makes sense to just pay about £450 for a whole Koni, Eibach, Bilstein setup. You improve the cars looks by lowering it, and transform the handling from the standard mushy setup.

 

[OddyseusDSM]

Is it just me or is something up with the rear left shock? Another 9-5 I drove felt mushy on that side and I've heard other people talk about it.

 

[cklempay]

Replacing it all...

With the prices you pay for rear shocks (over £300) and what you will pay eventually for the front struts (over £400), it makes sense to just pay about £450 for a whole Koni, Eibach, Bilstein setup. You improve the cars looks by lowering it, and transform the handling from the standard mushy setup.

So you're saying that for £450, that would get me a whole Bilstein (for example) kit? That would be both rear shocks and both front struts? Do I need anything else? I damn clueless on all of this...

I also saw when looking on a site (AutoZone, I think?) for shocks for my car (2000 9-5 Aero), and they listed two types of Bilsteins: Sport and HD. I'd presume I'd be looking at the Sports? Does anyone have any idea how the ride of shocks like these would compare to the OEM shocks on my Aero (or at least how they felt back before the car had 99k miles!)

 

[Kermit]

Yes for £450 (not inc fitting) i got the Eibach Pro suspension package, thats 4 uprated dampers and 4 matching lowered springs. It lowered my standard 9-5 about 30-35mm so will lower your Aero about 10-15mm. You already have uprated Anti Roll Bars on the Aero so no need to do this. You will find the setup to be slightly harder than the Aero OE kit, but thats where the improved handling comes from.

Update, just checked prices and they've gone up considerably since i bought my kit, £450 will get you all 4 dampers, £650 will get you the complete kit, sorry if i built your hopes up.

 

[Thedriver]

At 98k miles, i would definetly change the rear shox, i noticed my rear shox had a little oil leak at 65000 miles and changed them.

You will notice a slight improvement in handling, but the most important improvement for me was in the braking.

Previous to doing the rear shox, i was a little dissapointed in the initial bite of the brakes, but after fitting new shox the difference was like night and day.

Do them now