Rear toe adjuster link (II) or how GM is paying for a part of my rear suspension

Yesterday, I got a letter from GM stating that there is a recall for my ten year old Saab 9-4X (the recall is also issued for all 2nd generation Cadillac SRX). I'm the original owner of my 9-4X (#476) and first I thought this was a mistake, because my dealer already performed a similar recall in 2014. But then I realized that this is actually a new recall campaign which makes it the second recall for the rear suspension's toe adjuster links. Looks like GM will replace a part of my ten year old rear suspension for free!

What I found most interesting is that Consumer Reports states that GM recalls 380,362 Cadillac SRX SUVs from the 2010-2016 model years and 136 Saab 9-4X SUVs from the 2011-2012 model years. This means there are only 136 registered 9-4X left on American roads! What do you guys think about that? Wondering how many are still in the hands of the first owners...


More details about the recall: NHTSA's new campaign number is 21V473 (Rear Suspension Toe Link May Loosen and Separate). The initial recall number from 2014 was 14V571 (Possible Loose Rear Suspension Toe Adjuster Link) and back then, they "just" made sure that the left and right rear toe link adjuster lock nuts were torqued to the right specifications.

Consider starting a private Saab museum with your 9-4X. The museum could be open by appointment.

When the Saab museum closed and cars auctioned, I bid on two cars with a plan to start a private museum that is open maybe 4 times a year (once a month on a Sunday during 4 summer months) but the museum closure plans were reversed due to a charitable donation.

Has anyone done this recall yet? I'm curious how it affects the rear alignment.

I did the recall at a Cadillac dealer and it includes a full wheel alignment as part of the work. So while the new parts aren‘t expensive, the recall includes a lot of labor. But it‘s all covered and you don‘t need to worry. After 10 years of driving over bumps and potholes, the alignment actually makes the car feel better on the road again. I don‘t care that the new toe links are solid and cannot be adjusted anymore, as I never had any change done to the suspension anyways.

Any thoughts on when to do an alignment and when to get new shocks and springs. I remember reading about someone who had new shocks and springs then thought the car now handled like a new car.

My daily driver drives straight at highway speeds leading me to believe an alignment is not needed. My thoughts were to anticipate how long I was going to keep the car then schedule shocks and springs accordingly. If I were going to keep the car to 130,000 miles then maybe new shocks and springs at 70-80,000 mi is ok. That would mean 50-60,000 miles of enjoying the new shocks and springs.

FWIW, I do my alignment with tire rotation every 10K. As for the suspension, I think 100K is roughly where some parts are likely to need replacement, but that's not a magic number. If it's driving straight and smooth, fairly even tread wear, no noise/rust/leaking, then I wouldn't feel any need to rush on it. I didn't do new suspension for my Viggen until it was about 11 years old & 150K. My 9-4X is now the same age with 135K and it still feels like new to me.