1999 Saab 9-3 repair Question Front struts

1999 SAAB 9-3
113,850 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
JUDI_R
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Recently purchased this car used and it is in need of some work. Bought Bilstein front struts and rear shocks for the car, e.g., FA-PE3-3105-H1 [front] and FA-BE5-2758-H0 [rear]. Took these to my mechanic to install today and he had no problem whatsoever with the rear shocks but indicated that the front struts were about 2" too short. I am totally confused by this as I've never had any such problems with struts in the past as long as I've bought what was recommended by the manufacturer and these were also cross referenced on the Bilstein web site as being the correct ones for this car. Any idea what is going on with these? Do you think I should have purchased the strut assembly, e.g., FA-VE3-A250-H1 and FA-VE3-251-H1 instead? I believe the car still had the original struts on it and I thought all I needed to do was purchase these replacement cartridges. Please advise. Thanks.
Jul 31, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MNTHNY4
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 612 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
check insert shafts length side & side if ok then just add spacer to the bottom of the cylinder & tighten down lock, fit & u r good .
Aug 4, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.