Watch out for rusty front lower control arms!

[aeronaut]

I had both control arms replaced today.

When I put my summer wheels on the car in May I noticed a hole through the center portion of both arms, all the paint had peeled off. Last week with my tire off while I searched for a vibration I saw that the hole had grown to the size of a quarter and another appeared in the area of the ball joint bolts right at the tip of the control arm.

I ordered a kit from parts for saabs in the UK which was quite reasonably priced and included the ball joint and rear bushing. I had the parts on my doorstep here in Canada in three days!

The tech said the car wasn't safe to drive and with that hole near the ball joint mount I was of the same opinion.

Check your control arms!

[Brad Lauzze]

Interesting, this is the first I've ever really heard of this. Gonna have to take a look at both of the '04s tomorrow while I'm doing some maintenance.

[rpiereck]

Definitely something to keep an eye on! Where yours stock as far as you know? Maybe they were replaced by aftermarket sometime before you owned it (assuming you bought your car used).

[aeronaut]

Interesting, this is the first I've ever really heard of this. Gonna have to take a look at both of the '04s tomorrow while I'm doing some maintenance.

The Saab tech said that last year he received a technical bulletin on rusty control arms. I would say if the paint has peeled off apply something to protect the steel.

As well I am sure that the environment here in eastern Canada with our salted roads and 0C temps that create a salt slush/brine after every snow would make this rust problem worse.

edit: Here is an article about the problem - http://www.saabsunited.com/2011/10/c...1998-2010.html

[aeronaut]

Definitely something to keep an eye on! Where yours stock as far as you know? Maybe they were replaced by aftermarket sometime before you owned it (assuming you bought your car used).

I bought the car in 2003 and am quite sure that they were stock. The new ones though are aftermarket.

Here is the kit I bought - Parts for Saabs: 9-5 98'-06' Control Arm LH (see description)

The price was only 99 pounds last week!