8 Modifications to Make Your Saab 9-5 More Reliable

Instagram: @Auto.Autopsy

[fearnoproject]

One tip is to do a proactive replacement of the window rollers. If one of them breaks the other one is tries to lift the window and the regulator arm eventually gets bent.

[Borealisview]

Be sure if you put in mod6 to clean the sump and filter thoroughly. Without that cleanup it’s a 20% job. The camber part is seen with many manufacturers since a negative camber setting (rear wheels) off factory seems to be a cheap solution to let the car run straight instead of doing some decent alignment. It will save indeed tires.
Some of your vids are shared by me😉 on our regional FB Saab Club site. Keep those Swedes running 🏃‍♂️🇸🇪

[antti.koskinen]

9-5 wagon sport suspension rear camber issue can be fixed with stiffer 9-5 sedan HD springs. Also reduces understeer.

[iancudny]

Those are all things that I see happen on 9-5's! Great list of improvements

[konin]

You can also add upgraded Air Intake from Diesel Engine or Aero. It's decreasing air resistance. The result is decreased turbo lag and faster takeoffs - at least that's what I heard:)

[pmb]

Can you please provide specifics on the wheels and the lowering springs / struts? Only on front or front and rear?

[browserrr]

That Mod6 replacement is a bear to do. You need special pliers to get the hoses off and on and even then you just have to hope you click them in place. And not to mention to get that black box out and in. I managed to get it done but it was not fun. When the car has xenon lights you need to make a bracket for the adjustment sensor mounted on the link arm when you replace those by these Saturn arms. Not too complicated to do with aluminium plate. But an even more important part to replace is the big bushing in the trailing arms with poly's. Alignment required afterwards. Cars came standard with -1 degree camber. This isn't too bad for tire wear, what kills it is wrong toe in; guess how I found out.... But the most important thing to do is to keep rust under control, especially around the rear suspension, which is almost impossible to do with the way it is constructed and those plastic nuts that keep those plastic covers in place. Probably rusted down the studs break when you try to loosen the nuts. That whole rear end construction is the most hopeless I have seen Saabwise.

[vamigre]

regarding the window rollers, have you adjusted the lift heigh anytime? what happens is the front windows gets out of adjustment over time, causing the window to be lifted too high up, pushing it hard against the gasket, this puts too much strain on the rollers, ive done this adjustment to all my 9-5, and never had my rollers breake. Happy saabing!

[johnwain]

Can you please tell me where I can get my ICM 3 modifications for apple carplay am in uk Leicester thanks John

[laurat]

Thanks, I need this for the ("new" to me) '08 9-5 5spd wgn. Would these apply, or are most for the OG?

[thingserik]

Still have idler pulley, bypass valve, and exagerated rear wheel camber. I've been dailying this car for the past month. The biggest issue is rust and in particular subframe bolts. No one will touch them

[Attack-fbrj]

Blocking the cobra pipes of the EVAP system is a good mod for the older ones. The valves often fail, and the EVAP line to the cobra doesnt really do anything.

[MusicFromNowhere]

Window rollers (round) are really tough to get right. Difficult repair.

[nuttycommuter]

2:54 For UK watchers, Abbott Racing do one as well!

[carolhattersley]

Take the Saab emblems off, and stick them on a reliable car like a Camry or an Accord.
If you have a V-6, either replace the timing belt every 20k miles, or save up for new heads. By the way, the V-6 valve guides are removable, but have never been available as a service part. Certain Cadillac valve guides can be modified to fit, but it is very expensive to do. Last time I checked, new heads are about $3, 000 each. Good luck finding any!
On the older 4 cyl models, make sure that your PCM has been upfitted with a computer that does not have an anti-vibration pad that is contaminated with sulfur that gasses sulfuric acid in hot weather= goodbye PCM! Thanks, Bosch! For several months, our dealer had over a dozen new 9-5's that had been stripped of their PCM's to keep customer cars running. Then, the new replacement parts started failing. Our customers were being stranded on road trips, then having to wait 3-5 days for the back-ordered parts to reach the local dealer.
On 2000 to 2003 9-3 models, the reason that your head-gasket blew is because the Swedish craftsmen at the factory never checked the torque values on the spindles that tightened the head bolts. Always the same end of the head, for some reason. Great cars! I worked at a Saab dealer service Dep't, and we designated an empty office as a "crying-room" for suicidal customers. BILL