[barefoot]

03 9-3 linear

so, had one of the front springs snap and saab will not pay because i don't live in the "snow belt" :x

i am trying to find a good source for a new set of front springs. local parts stores cant get them. does anyone know of a good cheap net source?

i don't want any fancy upgrade or anything....just need cheapest solution right now!

thanks for any help!

 

[barefoot]

sheesh...this is the only place i have been able to find the correct spring so far and for a whopping $111.67 per spring?

http://www.diyautoparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=2003-SAAB-9--3--Linear--/--L4--1985cc--.0l--Gas--Fi--Turbo--x--8--b--07l--x--9-Front--End--/--Suspension--Steering&yearid=2003%40%402003&makeid=73%40%40SAAB%40%40B&engineid=1417980%40%409-3+LINEAR+%2F+L4-1985cc+2.0L+GAS+FI++Turbo+(B207L)%40%409-3+LINEAR&catid=Front+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering%40%40Front+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering&[email protected]@Front+Coil+Spring&mode=PA

 

[Vector-SS]

I would try to escalate this issue if I were you. Apparently the letter from Saab for the replacements does not mention "snow belt" or anything of this sort.

I think your the second person who has had this issue (denying coverage) and I think it's a load of crap :evil:

 

[barefoot]

i have escalated it as far as i can from here. basically, after some heated discussions they have agreed to "take a look at it, diagnose it and go from there" if i have it towed to the nearest dealer 1 1/2 hrs away.

considering the tow home (10 miles/10 minutes) was $60.00...i don't even know what the bill would be to tow it to the dealer. my gut instinct is that i get it over there and they still wont cover it for some bs reason and then i am out another towing bill to get it home plus new springs. not to mention the insane amount of time lost in this game.

i am now wishing that i had gotten the towing plan my ins offered

if i had the springs here i could have them in in a half day and be done with it. i may end up calling the stealer for the springs just to see what their prices are.

 

[barefoot]

the dealer says $140 a piece

 

[barefoot]

yep, it is a total load of crap! i am highly pissed off.

like i said before, this failure is dangerous as hell.

A: your on the interstate, the spring breaks, drops down, punctures your tire and sends you careening to your death. a blown tire has certainly done this in the past

B: your on the interstate, the spring breaks, drops down, rubs against the tire in just the right way and causes a fire. hey, it has certainly happened in the past. i am sure some of you can imagine how a fire could escalate into injury quickly.

i think now that these models are getting some years behind them that the failures will be more and more frequent. eventually someone will die and saab will find themselves with a giant boot in their arses (in the form of a CLASS ACTION lawsuit).

karma=it happens

 

[xp3]

the dealer says $140 a piece

What!?

You could buy Megan Racing springs for $140 a set
plus +/-$50 a piece to install it.

 

[aerojon]

good reason to go to these

 

[barefoot]

What!?

You could buy Megan Racing springs for $140 a set
plus +/-$50 a piece to install it.

this post is worthless without a link :cheesy:

 

[xp3]

this post is worthless without a link :cheesy:

Like aerojon suggested...
$237 for Eiback set
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...ubber+Valve+Stems&partNum=7809.140&perfCode=P

eBay link for Megan springs, also available on Amazon and several other sources:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-S...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Also browse through our Classified sections.
There was a guy a while ago with Megans for sale @ $100.00
Chances are, he still have 'em.

 

[JMarkert]

Either way, I would save the spring and seek reimbursement that way - They are admitting to corrosion causing the breaks and they say they see it more in the salt belt so they sent us all letters. However it's still the same corrosion problem if your spring rusts and breaks in slightly more mild kentucky. I bet the only difference is that springs in KY, TN, NC and the like will break a year or so later than ours.

Oh, and definitely go to the NHTSA site and file a complaint.

 

[tnkr111]

Eibach springs are a bit more, but sourced out of England are still cheaper than a set of new springs for your car form the manufacturer. Be advised, replacing a single spring is not advisable- as the other springs are sagged a bit, and now a brnad new spring will sit at full height under compression, which will be hihger than the other three. Sounds like a chance to put better quality springs on your vehicle! :cheesy:

http://www.partsforsaabs.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=eibach

These give a 30mm drop, for instance.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Ok, so you don't live in the snow belt. Did you ever drive in the snow belt? If you did, and Saab can't prove that you didn't, it seems to me you should get the springs... Ron

 

[barefoot]

Ok, so you don't live in the snow belt. Did you ever drive in the snow belt? If you did, and Saab can't prove that you didn't, it seems to me you should get the springs... Ron

they told me that even if the car was previously registered in the "snow belt" that it wouldn't matter because it was registered in ky when the spring broke.

that makes about as much sense as the rest of this charade huh??

 

[barefoot]

xp3---both of those kits are lowering kits and i do not wish to lower my vehicle.

thanks for the effort though...i do appreciate the help

 

[glowing626]

Megan and eibach dont lower a lot..
this is what i choose to replace my broken spring on my aero and very satisfied..

btw im going to the dealer this afternoon to complain about the broken spring that happen before i got the letter...

maybe if the change them to me I could sell mine to you..lol

 

[xp3]

Barefoot:
I will send you mine and pay me for lowering ones :lol: :cheesy:

 

[barefoot]

lol, i drive a lifted land rover. when i get into the saab, i feel like i could get high centered on a dead squirrel as it is...stock

plus, i don't want to have to do all 4 springs right now. i looked at the rears and they seem fine. the passenger front, however, you can clearly see where the coating has been ate away and corrosion is working its magic on this one too. right where the drivers side failed.

for those of you who have not had the failure yet, go have a look see...bottom coil!

 

[barefoot]

ok, formal complaint made with nhtsa....any other places to complian? would bbb have any pull here?

 

[barefoot]

I bet the only difference is that springs in KY, TN, NC and the like will break a year or so later than ours.

i bet that is about right too...

hell, we have salt on the roads 3-4 months out of the year here in eastern ky. the cooler temps at altitude cause the roads to freeze at night when the roads are wet from rain or melting snow. hence, they keep some of the higher elevation roads salted just to try to keep school open for the kiddies. it isn't like the old days, if certain areas cant make it to school due to ice...the whole thing shuts down here

edit> towing plan from farm bureau in full effect