I just bought four original Saab aluminum rims with studded tires and there is wheel weights on all four. When I changed the first front wheel I saw the wheel weights hitting the brake caliper, and l could not spin the wheel around with my hands. There really isnt much room between the brake calipers and the rim, and the only option is to remove the weights. Do I really need them? In the back there is not a problem as the caliper is much smaller.
The weights balance the wheel & tire. They should not be removed. Take the car (or the wheels) somewhere with a balancing machine and let them know the problem - maybe they can find some other place for them to be.
I dont think so, I bought from a Saab collector a couple of years ago. Maybe he put in Viggen front brakes at some point. Its a 2000 9-3 model, no turbo. This is the only picture I have of the front brake caliper
Unheard of for oem Saab wheels not to fit unless you have the larger brakes.
You also need to test your spare tire. Make sure it fits.
It's hard to measure the rotor in place. But you can put a measuring tape around the circumference and measure that. The smaller rotors on these cars is 286 - 288 mm. The larger rotors – the Viggen upgrade – is 308 mm. That should be fairly obvious when you measure the circumference: 904 mm vs 967mm.
You can hold something against the rotor edge in a suitable spot, like a pencil even, sticking out towards you. Then measure as straight as you can from the middle of the axle to the pencil. Should be accurate enough to get the radius. Multiply by 2 to get diameter.
If the rotor is off the car, dead easy, of course.
That would definitely not be a factory size. Saab used 175/70, then 195/60 or 185/65 on their cars going back to the '70s. People do what people do, but Saab was remarkably consistent with tire height for like two decades.
Thanks for the help and interesting info about the Saab rims! I went to the tyre shop today and they re-calibrated the rims which ended up with removing all the weights on one and on the other they just moved the weights so they wont interfere with the caliper. Now I can drive with a peace of mind on the slippery icy roads here in Norway!
Oh, right, those are the "sharp five spoke" 15x6.5" OG9-3 rims. I had a set on my NG900 for years. Nice light rims, I don't think they're known for bending either.
Yes, modern balancing machines can be configured for stick-on or press-on weights, on the inside or outside edge of the wheel, or both. Good to hear you got it sorted out.
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