Saab: 2 questions: "washy" steering and overtones

On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:28:02 GMT, Brenden Conte <rpi.edu>
wrote:
 

It helps a lot if you post model, year, and engine info.
 

Sounds like "groove wander". Happens with older tires, more with
wider tires than narrow. The only solution is to replace your tires
although pressure adjustments (lower) might help. But, you could
also have something worn in the front end. Have a competent mechanic
check out the front end BEFORE you have a serious problem. Don't
wait, something could be seriously loose.
 

Sounds like the A/C compressor. There were some issues with the
NG900 A/C units and a valve, AFAIR. Could also be the bearings
I suppose. Post some model info.

Bob wrote: 

Back from the holidays! Thanks for the response, sorry for the
omission. This is a 1999 Saab 9-5, 4cyl STD.

Had the alignment adjusted and tires rotated about a year ago, so the
rears are somewhat worn, but the fronts look OK (certainly not new, but
not severely worn either).

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 19:55:04 GMT, Brenden Conte <rpi.edu>
wrote:
 

I'd get a good Saab mechanic to look it over then. If the tires are
not the issue, you have something worn or loose. That's not good.

> Bob wrote: 

I too started noticing some steering looseness with my '02 95. I had
to hold the steering slightly to the right (the car was drifting left
on a neutral steering) and the steering was looser than before ..
there was also a very small 'cluck' noise when backing up and turning
right at right andgles.
which got louder over time.

The local saab dealers couldn't find anything wrong with the car the
first time I took it (they couldn't even reproduce the 'cluck' noise),
but on a second visit and some strong complaints, one of the senior
techs came with me and drove the car around in an empty parking lot
and dignosed the issue to be in the steering. They said there was
something that needed lubrication in the rack/pinion joint and it
_did_ get rid of the noise and looseness in the steering. And the car
drove straighter too.

S.

'02 SAAB 95
'95 Volvo 854 T