[20Ted]

After doing a LOT of research here and on the other Saab site, I've come to the conclusion that I have worn front wheel bearings. I get a pretty good 'pop' noise from the front wheels when turning at slower speeds and braking as well as the front wheel wobble (I've already ruled out balancing, brakes, strut mounts, etc.).

The bearings themselves are pretty cheap - how difficult are they to replace? And...is it something that would be worth taking the car in to the indie to repair - you know, cost vs. time/trouble/chance for screwing up, etc....

 

[Sacko]

i'll start off by saying that i don't know much about wheel bearings, and if you're sure that's what it is i can't help you, BUT

from your description it sounds more like you need strut bearings. these are also very cheap, but harder to replace. it involves taking out the entire strut, and taking it apart. at the very least you'll need a pair of spring compressors (autozone rents these for free). took me 3 hours the first time. got it down to about an hour and a half now. (this is per-side)

decision to bring it into a mechanic is totally yours. depends on how mechanically inclined and willing to work on your car it is. the work isn't terribly complicated, just tedious.

 

[ragtopcav]

The noise discription does not make me think wheel bearing [these usually are a speed variable rumble] but I'm often wrong so...

...front wheel bearing, get the strut out [don't worry about the spring] you then hammer or press out the hub carrier that passes through the bearing [if you're unlucky part of the inner bearing will stay with this, be prepared to cut it off with an angle grinder], remove the circlips that retain the bearing housing and knock that out.

Fit inner circlip and press in new bearing from the outer side until it meets the circlip, fit outer circlip, support the inner bearing race from the inner side using a socket and using a press or bench vise press the hub carrier back in as far as it'll go, re-fit strut and enjoy Saabing.

It is actually quite easy to do, but you'll need a press or a vise that can accomodate the lower leg assembly to press in bits and some things to apply load to or support the bearing during installation; Haynes manual actually covers this job very well; one cost reduction option is to remove the strut yourself and let a workshop do the pressing out and back in of all the stuff.

 

[20Ted]

Guess that could be it too!

The noise is really hard to describe - it's a cross between a clunk, a pop, and a 'clink'. Comes from the left front wheel when turning the steering wheel slightly after braking. Can almost feel the tension release when the noise hits. When driving (when car is cold after sitting overnight), there is a whum-whum-whum-whum low noise from the same wheel - not metallic in sound, not brake noise. Front end response often feels like the front wheels are trying to go at different speeds, and every so often after the clink-pop noise, the ABS will kick in and the ABS warning light will stay lit until the car is turned off. Then the light stays away for days/weeks again.

Maybe it's a combination of issues? I'm thinking it's beyond what I want to tackle (time-wise)...

 

[bkrell]

Is it just a lone pop? I have that on random turns. There's a TSB on it. It's basically the spring being slightly larger diameter than it's supposed to and the lower part is catching on the strut carrier housing. I got it after I replaced my front struts and mounts.

 

[earthworm]

Leaving aside any noise, I'd be concerned with this "wobble".

If the wheel bearing is worn out, then a man could physically shake the wheel for the looseness..

The other noise characteristics I read about are those of a bad CV joint- this is bought on by holes in the boot (gaiter) and a lack of the special grease..

 

[bkrell]

It's got to be a combination of things. The ABS situation is weird...

 

[ragtopcav]

The ABS situation is weird...

not as wierd as you might think, if the bearing is a dud then the CV joint is flopping all over the place creating readings for the ABS sensor to pick up that fluctuate too much for the ABS control unit to interpret; this is actually a more common fualt on the rear hub with Vauxhalls [very similar to ours]

 

[bkrell]

No, I realize the speed sensor is right there. You MAY want to take a look at a thread I just posted on my cruise. Bear in mind I have bad rear alignment and a newfound squeak...

 

[20Ted]

If the wheel bearing is worn out, then a man could physically shake the wheel for the looseness..

Just checked for that, and yes, when jacked up you can grab the wheel and wiggle it back and forth about 1/4 inch...

 

[20Ted]

Update

Update: Just got the car back from ScanWest and it was a wheel bearing. All the vagueness, wobbling, instability at speed, and noises are now gone!

Big thumbs up to ScanWest - great shop and great people!!