[SixthSaab]

I received a notice in February regarding a problem with "particles of gravel or stones getting caught between the spring and the lower spring seat. High forces will destroy the paint layer, starting corrosion pitting on the raw metal that will accelerate in a corrosive environment. This corrosion may weaken a spring and, in some cases, may cuase the spring to break under high stree at the exposed location. When the spring initially fractures, the ride height of the vehicle lowers 0.4-2 inches. This is accompanied with changes to vehicle steering and handling characteristics and will most likely cause front end suspension noise."
Has anyone else received this notice or had experience with this problem?

 

[aerojon]

front springs snapping is a well documented event on this board...

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177790&highlight=snap+spring


Welcome to SC..

 

[JonV]

Do a search "Broken Spring" and you'll find loads of threads. It's been going on for some time.

A bunch of us have had a "Spring Break" :cheesy:

 

[SixthSaab]

Claim

According to the notice "If you have paid to have this condition corrected prior to the notification you may be eligible for reimbursement"!

 

[SixthSaab]

Very helpful. I am going to have my car checked soon since I have 119,280 miles on it now. I just wish the dealer wasn't so far away, although it appears that I could have had my local Saab mechanic do the work, but probably not now since I got the notice.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

At least you don't have to drive 721 miles - Saab would probably turn down your claim if you had 120,001 miles... Ron

 

[JonV]

Very helpful. I am going to have my car checked soon since I have 119,280 miles on it now. I just wish the dealer wasn't so far away, although it appears that I could have had my local Saab mechanic do the work, but probably not now since I got the notice.

You can still have a local guy do it if ones broken, jusy send in the claim, several in here have.

 

[JHZR2]

mine snapped in my driveway... with only 50k of highway miles and not as much salt exposure as others...

 

[deven8703]

Has anyone had an issue with the rear springs as well? When I had my car checked for the noise issue I think they just saw the first broken spring and were like "heres your problem", and I brought it to the dealer and got it fixed, finding that both front ones were broken. Looking at my car it looks like the rear might be a little bit lower than the front now that the front springs are fixed. Does anyone know roughly what clearance is from wheel to fender on stock Aero, or anywhere else I could get a rough estimate on ride height in the rear?

Also, I realize that this letter does not mention rear springs. Don't flame! However, if they are the same as the front ones, I don't understand why they wouldn't be covered. I know the fronts will receive more stress than the rear, but I live in Maine, and I think they all get their fair share of stress.

To the guy with 119k, go get it checked now! The warranty on the springs expires at 10 years or 120k, I believe.

 

[JonV]

No-one here has had a rear spring fail, nor have any rear failures been reported to the NHTSA.

I'm not so sure it's the same spring, the part numbers are different. Anyone with a WIS?

 

[aerojon]

rears springs are a different style to the fronts..

as jonv says no reports of rear spring snappage...

 

[PaulOliver]

As aerojon said, rear springs are completely different to the front. Its not uncommon for rear springs to snap, so its worth a look.

Rear is lower probably down to the fact the springs are older, and are sagging more than the new fronts. My rear is lower than my front and i have fresh fronts

 

[deven8703]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm sure its just that the fronts are newer and sit up a little higher, though if anyone wants to check these parts for me (I can't find them anywhere online) to make sure they're the correct aero springs, part numbers are 93-190-609 for spring kit, spacer leaf is 12-794-486.