[MarkJ]

It has been brutally cold in Massachusetts in the last couple of weeks. My car started making obscene creaking/groaning sounds when going over speed bumps especially when it is cold (its been around 10F)

Anyone know if this is attributed to the cold and if so why?

Should I have this problem looked at or is this just a cold weather idiosyncrasy?

Thanks!

 

[Irishfred]

Same thing here

It's the same on my 2003 Vector. Creaking and groaning.

Reminds me of my mother's old '77 Chevy Impala. Maybe GM used the same springs?

 

[finklejag]

You sure its not your whistle tip banging the lower spoiler? :cheesy:

It might be the soft bushings SAAB uses. They are probably turn rock hard in the cold.

 

[Sneezy]

My car does it too. My dealer has replaced strut tower bushings and bearings and the problem was solved for a handfull of cars.

 

[MarkJ]

You sure its not your whistle tip banging the lower spoiler? :cheesy:

Hey Fink, It's only for decoration!!

I suppose my bushings turned rock hard since its been so cold, I heard a 1999 9-3 SE convertible hit the same speed bump I had just gone over at work and her car made 3x the creaking sound my car did, granted she hit the bump at about 20mph

I'll see what happens when our tundra thaws, I thought the Swedish vehicles were cars made in and for a cold climate...

 

[andym]

Had the exact same thing, brought it to a dealer he put grease on
and tightened up a few things and it was gone. However I get it if the cat is cold, but goes away after a while, maybe move to a warmer country!!

 

[Vector-SS]

I just got back home now, and the weather is -25 degrees C. Speaking of moaning and groaning? I thought the car was going to shatter. It was awful. The suspension was making the weirdest noises it was terrifying, but i think its almost normal for that to happen?

 

[duk_man]

My front end has been groaning and squeaking badly in this cold weather as well. I am going to see what Saab service will do. They told me last year that it is the bushings and they can't do anything about it. But it's getting worse it seems.

It drives me nuts!

 

[jollespm]

It's not just cold weather...

I'm currently in 65F degree weather and my car is making more noise than ever. It got into the 20's a couple nights, warmed back up, and the noises haven't gotten any better.

It makes more noise than my 140000 GTI with stiff Koni coilovers.

 

[brunp]

I just got back home now, and the weather is -25 degrees C. Speaking of moaning and groaning? I thought the car was going to shatter. It was awful. The suspension was making the weirdest noises it was terrifying, but i think its almost normal for that to happen?

I believe all cars do that in the extreme cold, but most of us don't here it. The cold whether makes the parts that don't move as often as the components of an engine very hard and you will hear the creaks as you go over speed bumps and rought roads. It is something to be expected.

Just be happy the car starts. My car sat our in the cold all day and had absolutely no problems starting after work. My rear end was extremely cold on the hard rock leather chairs, but soon warmed up with the seat warmers.

Paul

 

[valerossi]

I just got my 9-3ss for less than 3 weeks, I noticed this noise only when the weather is really really cold(like -25c), and it's only coming front the front-left, strange...

I'll see what they gonna say at my free 30-days inspection...

It seems that many people are having this issue...

 

[Bullit]

I had tha same problem with strange "klonks" from the front suspension now and then. My dealer informed me that this is a fairly common problem with ´03 models. Saab have a "solution-kit" for this which made the noise disapear.

I also had a annoying noise from the rear suspension! A kind of "ticking" noise on rough surface. My dealer took it for a ride and then they ordered new rear suspension! Got the -05´s. No more "ticking"...

Got it all on guarantee.

About the car groaning in cold weather. I think it´s pretty normal. We have some cold weather here in Sweden and cars usually "sound" a lot then.

//Bullit

 

[BRob2]

I had tha same problem with strange "klonks" from the front suspension now and then. My dealer informed me that this is a fairly common problem with ´03 models. Saab have a "solution-kit" for this which made the noise disapear.

I also had a annoying noise from the rear suspension! A kind of "ticking" noise on rough surface. My dealer took it for a ride and then they ordered new rear suspension! Got the -05´s. No more "ticking"...

Got it all on guarantee.

About the car groaning in cold weather. I think it´s pretty normal. We have some cold weather here in Sweden and cars usually "sound" a lot then.

//Bullit

It gets pretty darn cold here and my A4 never groans or moans, so I don't thinks it happens in all cars.

 

[duk_man]

I have to agree with BRob2. I have 2 other vehicles that I drive regularly in this weather and neither one of them makes any noise. As well as I've lived in this weather for a long time and never heard anything like this. There is definitely a problem with these. Granted, it might not be a "functional" problem, but it sounds like a rusty old, dry rotted piece of junk. I'm embarrassed to even take anyone from work out for a ride at lunch, cause they all drive rice-burners and will make fun of me! :cheesy:

 

[saabymike]

Normal

Hey guys this occurs in both of our family cars. Most Jeep models as well as Saabs have this issue in cold weather. Its safe to say that "the shocks are shocked" from the cold. For me it usually goes away after the brakes have warmed up the area around the shocks, but the sound usually continues over bumps until it gets significantly warmer.

 

[finwake]

...ah, just crank the music.

 

[Vector-SS]

My dealer claims it to be normal and no fix is out...

I noticed that the front suspension setup in temps under -10 C is horrible. I find this to be inexcusable and its an embarrassment to us Saab drivers. My friend (owned an 03 A4) keeps asking me what the hell is this noise. My response "uhh its normal." Damn does it feel cheap. Someone overhere hit the nail on the head by saying the car sounds like an old wooden ship...
Any solutions to this?

 

[JWLANKY]

This was discussed before here and there were two solution metioned: 'Teflon tape' & 'grease'.

Has anyone sucessfully tried any of these methods?

 

[DaVector03]

problem resolved

Hey guys as you all know this has been an onging problem for aero and vector cars. The front end will make a clunking noise in extreme cold weather and under drastic turning. I was complaining about this problem to various dealers and the saab usa. And after many attempts to resolve the problem thru the dealer and the saab customer service. One thing is for sure is that saab customer service are the most rudest ppl in the world and there suppose to be customer service HAHAHAHA> Well my dealer was very concerned about this problem and tried to work with me on this problem for a yr and they finally got it .

My write up:
Cust: Noise from frnt susp when cold (chk strut spacers missing).

Cause: Updated Part
7311702 Replace front susp spring spacer
16 W94s 1.20
2 12755342 Protecting hose
Update plastic coil cover.


ANd the problem is gone.

The car rides so much more better and quieter.

I hope this helps you guys.

 

[MarkJ]

Hey guys as you all know this has been an onging problem for aero and vector cars. The front end will make a clunking noise in extreme cold weather and under drastic turning. I was complaining about this problem to various dealers and the saab usa. And after many attempts to resolve the problem thru the dealer and the saab customer service. One thing is for sure is that saab customer service are the most rudest ppl in the world and there suppose to be customer service HAHAHAHA> Well my dealer was very concerned about this problem and tried to work with me on this problem for a yr and they finally got it .

My write up:
Cust: Noise from frnt susp when cold (chk strut spacers missing).

Cause: Updated Part
7311702 Replace front susp spring spacer
16 W94s 1.20
2 12755342 Protecting hose
Update plastic coil cover.


ANd the problem is gone.

The car rides so much more better and quieter.

I hope this helps you guys.

Great news, by the way I assume you are still in warranty? If not what was the price for this?