Too much negative rear camber - springs, shock absorbers or bushings?

[nordwulf]

Lifting the car in the rear with a jack didn't do anything for camber. It looks like I'll need to add some spacers and camber shims. Or just leave it as is and not worry about it.

[toxicavenger]

Frank if your tires aren't wearing abnormal then I would leave it alone. But if you are getting some wear then I would do the shims. Now do you have any sag in the rear of if?

Lifting the car in the rear with a jack didn't do anything for camber. It looks like I'll need to add some spacers and camber shims. Or just leave it as is and not worry about it.

[nordwulf]

I recently put new tires on so I'll know soon enough. I haven't noticed any unusual tire wear on my winter tires and the allseason tires that were on there.

There seems to be some sag and I think it would look better if there was an extra inch. Perhaps adding the spacers will be a good idea, regardless if it changes the camber or not.

[Finding41]

This is an interesting topic. It's got me thinking about weather the shims are needed at all. If the problem is the spring loosing it's strength and compressing over time then the spring spacers should compensate for the camber. This makes me wonder if the springs will continue to loose sterngth and increase the camber again in the future.
I'm now looking at using spring spacers and the shims. ( I have the shims already.)
Since SAAB/GM did make the shims an OEM part does that mean they knew they were using lower quality springs? (Not that SAAB would care now that they are defunct. Just wondering.)

[rlague]

No one mentions toe in here. Camber is not a bad thing really. too much toe, in or out really destroys tires.

When the ride height goes down the camber increases and the toe increases.

[markg9]

In my shop I stock the rear camber shims for 9-5's. Also, as rlauge mentioned, toe is the predominant factor in tire wear. It is easily adjusted on the 9-5. Shim number 4908174 is for correcting too much negative camber and shim number 4908166 is for correcting too much positive camber. Toe is adjustable with what you have from the factory.


Mark

[nordwulf]

I read on the Dutch Saab forum someone used heavy-duty springs for the regular suspension. They raised the rear 4 centimeters so that's quite a bit. And raising the rear visually reduced the camber noticably. Heavy-duty springs are probably a good idea when you often have loads in the back of the wagon or often tow a trailer.

Part number used was 5062041 and the WIS shows code DM / blue-red. eEuro sells these but neither they nor the WIS show these are heavy-duty springs.

[rlague]

First thing to do is get the ride height up to spec. The best way to do this is with spacers. There is a guy selling good ones on eBay.

this will really help camber in the rear and stop the car from bottoming with load.

Next have a good 4 wheel alignment done.

[Finding41]

I think I found the solution! I found these for sale on kijiji.ca.
Saturn L-Series / Saab 9-5 Rear Alignment EZ Arm

rear alignment ez arm kit made by SPC Performance, part number 67270S.These are brand new and never installed. The kit retails for over $170. This kit fits all 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series models as well as 2005-2009 Saab 9-5 models without auto levelling headlamps.
Link to add: Saturn L-Series / Saab 9-5 Rear Alignment EZ Arm | transmission, drive train | London | Kijiji

It says it won't work with the auto leveling lights... I'll take a close look when I'm under the car next. I'm sure something can be done.

[nordwulf]

On my wagon it was sagging about 1/2 so I installed 1" spacers from Jeff (https://sites.google.com/site/jjjperformance/) to fix the sag and camber in one shot. Also now the back of the car can take a load without rubbing my tires.

Thanks for the tip about these spacers. I ordered them last week and received them today. I'll install this coming weekend so hopefully that will fix the problem. I got the 1 1/2" spacers which seems to be average for the wagon. At first, I thought they were a bit expensive but they are very nicely made. Still only about 1/3 the price of new springs.



My tires were worn pretty bad on the inside and I think that was caused by the camber/toe problem. Ultimately led to this tire failure, me thinks..