I finally took my new '04 ARC for it's 30 day service, 10 days early as I could not stand the embarrasing squeal coming from the rear brakes when driving in reverse. I was shocked when the workshop manager at Sports & Specialist Cars in Princeton NJ told me that Saab had no solution to this problem. My car was an ex-demonstrator and I would have expected Saab to have identified this existing problem with the car before selling it. I was very annoyed by the attitude at the dealership which was that they'll do what they can, but don't expect their to be a solution anytime soon. The chamfered the brake pads, so we'll see if this helps in the short term If not I'll be trying to get my money back. It's embarrassing to tell everone in Princeton that you are reversing your saab!
nwkeane
Join the club. My 30 day service returned the same verdict. They're gonna replace the pads (they were out of stock).
Mine groan in reverse or during similar low-speed forward maneuvers. The squeak during forward progress when lightly to moderately touching the brakes once speed drops below, say 15-20 mph.mattrazzo said:
I was told my groan/creaking can not be fixed as it is the result of using metalic pads. The tech also mentioned that in Europe they do not turn rotors that they replace them with the pads. He said he will turn the rotors once before replacement. Something has got to be wrong since I have driven many cars with the metalic pads and have never experienced this problem before.strat81 said:
I have had the same problem with the brake groan in reverse for a year now. After MUCH agitating (including 2 letters to Saab USA and meetings with the district representative), and about 8 service visits, I may have a fix.
It only has been about 2 weeks, but no noises yet. My dealer got some kind of new experiemental brake pad from Saab to supposedly fix the problem. We'll see. Past fixes have lasted a couple of weeks, and then the problem comes back.
But I am still hoping. And maybe all my work can save everyone here some trouble - start demanding the new brake pads and that Saab fix this problem once and for all.
It only has been about 2 weeks, but no noises yet. My dealer got some kind of new experiemental brake pad from Saab to supposedly fix the problem. We'll see. Past fixes have lasted a couple of weeks, and then the problem comes back.
But I am still hoping. And maybe all my work can save everyone here some trouble - start demanding the new brake pads and that Saab fix this problem once and for all.
I had same problem. My dealer said it was a result of a lose U joint in teh stearing column. This "fix" worked for a coupld of months but I just recently started hearing the sound again. In my case I dont think it was the pads because there was no noise going forward at any speed and the noise was most pronounced when reversing and turning the wheel.
Update
The fix from the 30 day check hasn't worked. I have been in touch with Saab USA. The problem is worse when:-
1. The car has been driven for a few miles and then one tries to reverse.
2. If you reverse without touching the brakes, there's no noise. Touch the brakes and they squeel.
3. There's no noise if the car has been standing for some time and I guess the wheels have been allowed to cool.
4. There was no noise after driving the car in rain and then reversing to park.
I'm getting pi**ed with this as otherwise I'm quite happy with the car.
Help!
The fix from the 30 day check hasn't worked. I have been in touch with Saab USA. The problem is worse when:-
1. The car has been driven for a few miles and then one tries to reverse.
2. If you reverse without touching the brakes, there's no noise. Touch the brakes and they squeel.
3. There's no noise if the car has been standing for some time and I guess the wheels have been allowed to cool.
4. There was no noise after driving the car in rain and then reversing to park.
I'm getting pi**ed with this as otherwise I'm quite happy with the car.
Help!
Re: Update
I wonder about one thing - I did not get the backup brake squeak for about the first two months and I have had it ever since. I have been using a cleaner to clean the brake dust from the wheels.
Do you think this has anything to do with it?
Barry
'04 Nocturne Blue Arc SS.
This is _exactly_ the conditions under which I get the squeaking. I have not taken the time to go back to the dealer because this is the only problem I have.nwkeane said:
I wonder about one thing - I did not get the backup brake squeak for about the first two months and I have had it ever since. I have been using a cleaner to clean the brake dust from the wheels.
Do you think this has anything to do with it?
Barry
'04 Nocturne Blue Arc SS.
I had this problem, but somewhere between 8K and 10K it has either stopped or been very limited. I didn't pay much attention during those two thousand miles (I was mostly on vacation driving to and from Colorado, but now that I'm back in my "routine" I've noticed it less).
(BTW, for those with reverse sqeaking noises, check that your dealer has made sure the pads are on correctly. Saab is using directional pads and according to my service manager the tech line mentioned that some cars left the factory with some of the pads installed incorrectly. I don't know if this would help, but maybe...)
(BTW, for those with reverse sqeaking noises, check that your dealer has made sure the pads are on correctly. Saab is using directional pads and according to my service manager the tech line mentioned that some cars left the factory with some of the pads installed incorrectly. I don't know if this would help, but maybe...)
Im sick of my brakes too.
Ive been through a new set of pads , 2 other visits where various parts of the brakes were replaced.
Why can they not fix the car they designed ?
I would not rate the overall build quality but still like the car. (Although i`ll be going back to germans if I don`t get satisfaction soon!)
Im only at 5500 miles and I shall shortly be testing the effectiveness of the brakes at high speeds towards their nice glass fronted showroom !
(You will hear me coming, when I pull up)
MarT
Ive been through a new set of pads , 2 other visits where various parts of the brakes were replaced.
Why can they not fix the car they designed ?
I would not rate the overall build quality but still like the car. (Although i`ll be going back to germans if I don`t get satisfaction soon!)
Im only at 5500 miles and I shall shortly be testing the effectiveness of the brakes at high speeds towards their nice glass fronted showroom !
(You will hear me coming, when I pull up)
MarT
I've done 22.000 km with mine and it's really embarrassing when you come home late as I need to reverse into my parking spot. It's like the ad whith a sleeping city and then you here a noise and all the lights go on 
.
Most of the time I get it when reversing and braking at t he same time but occansionally it happens when applying low force to the breaks in slow moving traffic..like city driving and that causes some heads to spin.
.Most of the time I get it when reversing and braking at t he same time but occansionally it happens when applying low force to the breaks in slow moving traffic..like city driving and that causes some heads to spin.
Well I think Liz at HVS has came to the rescue yet again, i took mine in for the 30K service mentioned the brakes still squealed and that theyve already replaced front rotors and pads twice, nothing with rear, so Liz put new rear pads on and filed the edges or somthing so they are rounded? So far i been driving quite a bit today and have not heard one sqeak!
Keepin fingers crossed, hopefully that was it!
Keepin fingers crossed, hopefully that was it!
Not quite sure how this will help in the long term. As the pads wear down, you will eventually be right back to having a 90 degree angle with the rotor surface. Liz can't file too much of the pad away without reducing contact area.03_Saab 9-3 said:
I haven't looked too closely at these pads. The noise may be due to the anti-rattle springs not having enough tension. It might be helpful to remove the pads and bend the springs tighter, then reinstall. You might also want to put a small dab of grease at the contact point where the spring touches the caliper.
Front Squeak
Im at 28,000 km, and it started swueaking even in a normal brake. But yesterday the squaeak became a loud cracking noise. I took it today to the delaer here in MExico, they told me the fornt pad was gone, I needed a replacement, and when I asked if I could do it at Midas they told me it was a special alloy hat was used in the pads (I dont know if it was pure BS).
Im expecting to receive my car later today, I will post what happenned.
Im at 28,000 km, and it started swueaking even in a normal brake. But yesterday the squaeak became a loud cracking noise. I took it today to the delaer here in MExico, they told me the fornt pad was gone, I needed a replacement, and when I asked if I could do it at Midas they told me it was a special alloy hat was used in the pads (I dont know if it was pure BS).
Im expecting to receive my car later today, I will post what happenned.
Squeeky Rear brakes
Time for me to weigh in on this topic...yesterday to dealer for 10,000 mile service...and to discuss the dreaded squeeky rear brakes (again)...i went to the dealer with the knowledge that other Saabers' have had rear brake pads and parts replaced with some success, so i was determined to be heard on this issue...well, the service writer said that he knew what i was talking about but more than likely there is no fix for it...an hour later, i pick up my car and the service writer tells me that the rear pads have been replaced...it seems that Saab now has some different type of pad that should take care of the problem...who knew!!!...anyway after paying the bill and saying my thank yous, i backed out of that dealership and have been backing up all over my neighborhood ever since with not a 'squeek' coming from the rear brakes...so far so good...so for those of you who have the problem ask about the new rear pads...will let you know in a few days if the squeek stays stopped!!
Time for me to weigh in on this topic...yesterday to dealer for 10,000 mile service...and to discuss the dreaded squeeky rear brakes (again)...i went to the dealer with the knowledge that other Saabers' have had rear brake pads and parts replaced with some success, so i was determined to be heard on this issue...well, the service writer said that he knew what i was talking about but more than likely there is no fix for it...an hour later, i pick up my car and the service writer tells me that the rear pads have been replaced...it seems that Saab now has some different type of pad that should take care of the problem...who knew!!!...anyway after paying the bill and saying my thank yous, i backed out of that dealership and have been backing up all over my neighborhood ever since with not a 'squeek'
coming from the rear brakes...so far so good...so for those of you who have the problem ask about the new rear pads...will let you know in a few days if the squeek stays stopped!!Squeeky Brakes
:lol:
Last Friday I took my 9-3 Arc back to the dealer under the instructions of Saab USA to have the rear brake pads changed. So far, not a squeek and like others I'd like to drive around my neighborhood in reverse!
During my conversations with Saab, I got the impression that they were not aware of this irritating issue. I advised their representative on the phone to read this site.
:lol:
Last Friday I took my 9-3 Arc back to the dealer under the instructions of Saab USA to have the rear brake pads changed. So far, not a squeek and like others I'd like to drive around my neighborhood in reverse!
During my conversations with Saab, I got the impression that they were not aware of this irritating issue. I advised their representative on the phone to read this site.
Squeeky rear brakes
Follow-up on squeeky rear brakes...dealer replaced the rear pads (July 31) and after much reversing (into parking spaces, driveways, one way streets, garages, etc.) NO squeeks..no noise..nada..not a peep ...will keep fingers crossed that the squeeks do not return...so until they do return...will enjoy my Saab just a little bit more...will keep you posted...thanks all for sharing...
Follow-up on squeeky rear brakes...dealer replaced the rear pads (July 31) and after much reversing (into parking spaces, driveways, one way streets, garages, etc.) NO squeeks..no noise..nada..not a peep
...will keep fingers crossed that the squeeks do not return...so until they do return...will enjoy my Saab just a little bit more...will keep you posted...thanks all for sharing...
Re: Squeeky rear brakes
What dealer did you use?welstd said:Follow-up on squeeky rear brakes...dealer replaced the rear pads (July 31) and after much reversing (into parking spaces, driveways, one way streets, garages, etc.) NO squeeks..no noise..nada..not a peep
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