Page 641
Before the wheelturning anglesare measured, the toe-in
mustbecorrectlyadjusted. To measure the turning positions, use two turntables of standard type with scale graduations combined with optical measuring equipment
(see illustration).
The centers of the turntables must be placed as close as
possible under the pivoting centers of the wheels.
Turn the steering wheel to the left until the right wheel,
i.e. the outer wheel, shows a deflection of 20°. If the
cornering adjustment is correct, the inner wheel should
show a deflection of 20 1/2 ± 1°. Then make the same
measurement with the wheels turned to the opposite
side. If the measurements reveal that the cornering adjustment is wrong, one or both steering arms be out of
INNER WHEEL 20 1/2 ± 1°
OUTER WHEEL '20°
true. Defective steering arms must not be bent back to
shape, they must be replaced.
OPTICAL MEASURING EQUIPMENT
601-5
Page 642
For caster angle up to and incl. model 1978 use the
upper scale in the box. The lower scale is valid as
from model 1979.
Wheel alignment table
The following table can be used as an aid to the adjust·
ment of wheel alignment angles.
2. Find the box in the table where the row and column
respectively for these two values intersect, and read
off
F+5
8+3
which means:
(F) Front bearing bracket spacers to be increased
(+) by 5 mm.
(B) Back bearing bracket spacers to be increased
by3 mm.
3. Changing the spacers as indicated will correct both
camber and caster angles simultaneously.
Camber - caster
The table is used as follows:
1. Measurement of the front wheel angles gives readings
of, for example (man. steering gear)
camber
1 1/4°
caster = 1 1/2°
Caster O - for manual steering gear use the figures
on the upper axis and the figures on the lower axis
for power-assisted steering.
4.
Wheel alignment table
r
The figures enclosed by the broken lines in the
table are within the permitted tolerances; no
adjustment is needed in these cases.
Caster reading 0 , manual steering gear
-1/2
-1/4
0
1/4
1/2
3/4
1
1 1/4
1 1/2
1 3/4
2
2 1/4
2 1/2
F+3
B+7,5
F+3
8+7
F+3,5
8+6,5
F+4
8+6,5
F+4,5
8+6
F+5
8+6
F+6
8+6
F+6,5
8+5
F+7
8+5,5
F+7
B+5
F+7,5
8+5
F+8
8+4,5
F+8
8+4
1 1/2 F+2
B+6,5
F+2
8+6
F+2,5
8+5,5
F+3
B+5,5
F+3,5
8+5
F+4
8+5
F+5
8+5
F+5,5
B+4,5
F+6
8+4
F+6
8+3,5
F+6,5
B+3,5
F+7
8+3
F+7
C+2,5
1 1/4 F+1
B+5
F+1,5
8+5
Ft1,5
8+4,5
F+2
8+4,5
F+2,5
8+4
F+3
8+4
F+4
8+4
F+4,5
8+3,5
F+5
8+3
F+5
8+2,5
F+5,5
8+2,5
F+6
B+2
F+6
8+1,5
1
F-0,5
B+4
F±O
8+4
F+0,5
8+3
F+1
8+3
I F+1
B+2,5
F+1,5
8+2,5
F+2
8+2
F+3
8+2
F+3,5 I F+4
8+2
a+1.5
F+4,5
8+1,5
F+4,5
8+1
F+5
B+0,5
3/4
F-1,5
B+3
F-1
8+2,5
F-1
B+2
F-0,5 I F±O
B+2
a+1,5
F+0,5
8+1,5
F+1
8+1
F+1,5
8+1
F+2 I F+2,5
B+0,5 B+0,5
I
F+3
B±O
F+3,5
8-0,5
F+4
B-1
F-3
B+2,5
F-3
8+2
F-2,5
8+1,5
F-2
8+1
F-0,5 I Riitt I F+0,5
I
B+0,5 : viirde 1 B-0,5
F+1
F+2
B-0 5 I B-1
F+2,5
B-1,5
F+3
B-2
F+3
B-2,5
F+1
B-2
F+1
B-2,5
F+1,5
B-3
F-0,5
B-3
F±O
B-4
F+0,5
B-4
1 3/4
0
en
C:
"'C
"'
...
... 1/2
I
I
I
I F-1
Q)
1l
E
"'
(.)
---------------------
: B+0,5
I
I
--F-1
I
I
'
I
l
F-1,5
B-1
B-1
F-0,5
B-1,5
F-4,5
8-1,5
F-2,5 I F-2
B-0 5 I B-0 5
' I
'
F-4
F-3,5
B-1,5 1 B-2
F-3
B-2
F-2
B-2
F-1,5
8-2,5
F±O
F+0,5
B-1 5 I B-2
' I
II F-1
F-1
B-2,5 I 8-3
F-6
B-2
F-5,5
8-2,5
F-5
B-2,5
F-5
8-3
F-4,5
B-3,5
F-4
B-4
F-3
B-4
F-2,5
B-4
F-2
B-4,5
F-1,5
B-4,5
F-1,5
B-5
F-1
B-5
F-7
B-2,5
F-7
B-3
F-6,5
B-3,5
F-6
B-3,5
F-6
B-4
F-5,5
B-4,5
F-5
B-5
F-4
B-5
F-3,5
B-5
F-3
B-5,5
F-2,5
B-5,5
F-2
B-6
F-2
B-6,5
F-8
B-4
F-8
B-4,5
F-7,5
B-5
F-7
B-5
F-7
B-5,5
F-6,5
B-5
F-6
B-6
F-5
B-6
F-4,5
B-6
F-4
B-6,5
F-3,5
B-6,5
F-3
B-7
F-3
B-7,5
1/2
3/4
1
1 1/4
11/2
1 3/4
2
2 1/4
2 1/2
2 3/4
3
3 1/4
3 1/2
1/4
F-4
B+1
F-3,5
B+0,5
F-3
B±O
0
F-0
B-0,5
F-4,5
B-1
-1/4
F-6
B-1,5
-1/2
-3/4
I
--------•,---------- ----
Caster reading 0 , power steering gear
601-6
I
SAAB
r
Page 643
Toe-in (toe-out) measured on the rim
Screw tie rod in or out
Reading value the following turns
of toe-in
REAR WHEELALIGNMENT
------------
6
1 3/5 ut
5
1 2/5 ut
4
1 1/5 ut
3
1 ut
2
4/5 ut
1
3/5 ut
E
E
C
Checking
If the rear axle has been subjected to abnormal strain in a
collision or similar circumstances, it must be checked carefully for signs of failure and deformation.
Rear wheel alignment is not normally adjusted. However,
if the rear axle has been subjected to such abnormal strain
that the wheels may have been knocked out of true, the
wheel angles should be measured.
Rear wheel alignment
Up to and including 1978 model:
0±2mm
Toe-in (measured at rims)
Wheelbase, left and right sides respectively, max. difference (front wheels point15mmmax.
ing straight ahead)
oo± 10
Camber
.!:
Cl)
0
C
I-
2/5 ut
1
I
2
I
I
I
---------1/5 ut
I
correct
value
I
I
I
As from 1979 model:
Toe-in
I
3
4
5
I
1/5 in
----------2/5 in
3/5 in
~
6
4/5 in
C
7
1 in
9
Ql
8
1 1/5 in
9
1 2/5 in
10
1 3/5 in
E
E
....
::,
0
I-
I
Camber
2-6 mm (if possible both
sides should be measured
individually, i.e. 1-3 mm
on each side)
-1/2° ± 1/4° (negative)
NOTE
To be able to measure deviations in toe-in/toe-out,
special equipment is needed for angle measurement.
NOTE
If the difference between the left and right wheelbasesis more than 0.2" (5 mm). the wheel angles
must be checked.
The wheel angles can however be out of true without the wheelbase being affected.
601-7
Page 644
BALL JOINTS
CHANGING BALL JOINTS
1. Jack up the car and remove the wheel. Wash the ball
joint and adjacent parts clean.
2. Unscrew the brake housing and hang it up in such a
way that the brake hose or pipe not be damaged.
3. Undo the nut that holds the ball bolt in the steering
knuckle housing, and remove the bolt using tool
8995409.
4. Remove the ball joint from the control arm.
STEERING KNUCKLE HOUSING AND BALL JOINT
FASTENINGS
Tool8995409
5. Mount a new ball joint, connect the bolt to the
steering knuckle housing and tighten the nut.
6. Fasten the ball joint to the control arm (use new lock
nuts).
7. Mount the brake housing.
8. Put on the wheel and lower the car.
NOTE
Ball joints must not be disassembled but replaced as
complete units.
CHANGING BALL JOINT SEALING BELLOWS
The ball joints are fitted with sealing bellows to protect
them from abrasion by dirt. The bellows must be exchanged if damaged.
631-1
SAAB
Page 645
CONTROL ARMS
Installation
CHANGING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM
The parts must be well cleaned before they are assembled.
Worn or damaged parts should be replaced by new ones.
1. Fit the rubber bushings. The bushing should be
forced into the bearing with the aid of tool
7841331. Soap the bushings before inserting.
Removal
NOTE
To change the left upper control arm, the power
plant unit must be taken out of the car.
1. Jack up the front of the car and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the shock absorber.
3. Compress the coil spring using tool 8995839.
4. Back off and remove the two screws securing the upper ball joint and lower spring seat to the upper control arm.
5. Undo the screws from both upper control arm bearing
brackets.
6. Remove the compressed coil spring.
7. Remove the control arm and bearings. Save the spacers
under the bearings and note the number of spacers under each bearing.
8. Undo both bearing nuts, after which the bearings and
bushings can be removed from the control arm (see
illustration).
52071
INSERTING A ONE-PIECE RUBBER BUSHING
Tool 7841331
NOTE
On no account should oil or grease be used to assist
insertion of rubber bushings. If lubrication is needed,
use soapy water.
2.
Mount the bearings to the control arm. When both
nuts are tightened and locked, the angle between
arm and bearing should be 52 ± 2°.
NOTE
The control arm is asymmetrical (see illustration).
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS,
FRONT SUSPENSION
1. Upper control arm
2. Lower control arm
3. Rubber bushing
4. Bearing
5. Spacers
SAAB
632-1
Page 646
l
j
3. Back off and remove the two screws that secure the
ball joint to the control arm.
4. Undo the lower control arm attachment screws under
the engine compartment floor. The control arm and
brackets can then be removed.
5. Undo both control arm bearing nuts and remove the
bearings.
0 0
"""
Installation
ANGLE BETWEEN UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BEARING
The parts must be well cleaned before they are assembled.
Worn or damaged parts should be replaced by new ones.
1. Fit the rubber bushings. The bushing is force-fitted
with the help of tool 7841349. Soap the bushings before inserting. When both nuts are tightened and
locked, the angle between the control arm and bearing
should be 18 ± 2°.
DRIVING DIRECTION
~=oo=--J-----'~,·
ANGLE BETWEEN LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BEARING
2. Mount the control arm by screwing the bearings to
the body.
3. Secure the ball joint to the control arm.
4. Mount the wheel and lower the car.
5. Take the car for a trial run.
6. Check and if necessary adjust the wheel alignment (see
section 601).
54364
CONTROL ARM, ASYMMETRICAL
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Locate the control arm but do not insert the bearing screws.
Check that the spacer and support ring of the top
spring seat are in place and that the rubber buffers
under the control arm are mounted.
Locate the compressed coil spring with rubber buffer and mount the ball joint and lower spring seat
on the control arm.
Screw the control arm bearings to the body, not
forgetting the spacers.
Gradually slacken the screw of the spring compression tool until the tool can be removed.
Mount the shock absorber.
Mount the wheel and lower the front of the car.
Take the car out for a test run, then check and if
necessary adjust the wheel alignment (see section
NOTE
On no account should oil or grease be used to assist
insertion of rubber bushings. If lubrication is needed,
use soapy water.
Adjusting the control arms
If the control arms have been subjected to severe strain
in a collision or similar circumstances, they must be
checked carefully for failure and distortion. If the arms
are out of true, they must be exchanged.
601).
CHANGING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM
Removal
1. Jackup the car and remove the wheel.
2. Disconnect the lower end of the shock absorber.
632-2
WB
1
Page 647
STEERINGWHEEL,STEERINGCOLUMN
TUBE WITH SUPPORT AND STEERING
COLUMN
GENERAL
The steering column is journaled in metal bushings surrounded by rubber bushings in a tube, the steering column tube or steering wheel bearing support, which is
fixed to the pedal bracket and the body. An intermediate shaft jointed at both ends transmits the movement
of the steering column to the steering gear.
The steering column and tube are of telescopic type,
i.e. the steering column and tube collapse when subjected to a certain critical axial force.
The steering column on cars with a power steering gear
is equipped with a double joint.
WARNING
When the car is on a hoist, do not seize a front wheel
and twist it by main force to full steering-wheel lock.
There is a very serious risk of damaging the steering
mechanism if this is done, as the rack-and-pinion gear
will cause the steering wheel to spin at high speed,
imposing a severe torsional strain on the steering column when the rotation is arrested by the stop in the
steering g.ear.
5
6
7
15
I
1
14
S 4366
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
9. Rubber bushing
10. Bushing
11. Rubber washer
12. Intermediate shaft
13. Rubber bellows
14. Joint half
15. Double joint
1. Steering wheel
2. Plastic sleeve
3. Slip ring
4. Driver
5. Bushing
6. Rubber bushing
7. Steering column
8. Steering column tube
UAB
641-1
Page 648
Sl"EER\NG WHEEL
Removal
1. Take the bottom cover off the steering wheel bearing
by undoing the three screws holding it in place:
2. Remove the steering wheel safety pad by ~ndomg the
four screws under the spokes (see illustration). Remove
the horn contact finger.
REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL
Tool 8995680
Installation
1. Replace the direction indicator switch actuator if it has
been taken out. Make sure that its center line coincides
with the center line of the switch housing when the
front wheels are straight ahead. Fit the plastic sleeve
on the driver.
REMOVING THE SAFETY PAD
CAUTION
The actuator is so designed that it is located on the
steering column with a certain grip. On no account
must it be welded to the column.
3. Back off the nut and remove the washer.
2. Fit the steering wheel on to the steering column. The
front wheels should be aligned straight ahead and the
steering wheel mounted with the spokes horizontal.
3. Mount the bottom cover of the steering wheel bearing,
checking that the slip ring is properly seated.
4. Fit the steering wheel safety pad.
STEERING WHEEL, SAAB 99 EMS
During the 1976 model year a special steering wheel has
been introduced for Saab 99 EMS cars. The wheel has a
smaller diameter and the horn mechanism is of new design.
REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL NUT
Removal and fitting, earlier design
1. Remove the horn contact by means of a pointed chisel.
2. Remove the steering wheel nut.
3. Remove the steering wheel by means of an extractor
ring, spacer sleeve and a universal extractor.
4. Mount the puller, 8995680, on the wheel (see illustration) and pull the wheel off.
If necessary, the direction indicator switch actuator can
nov also be removed.
Fitting is carried out in the reverse order.
641-2
SAAB
Page 649
Removal and installation, later design
STEERING WHEEL, SAAB 99 EMS, LATER DESIGN
1. Remove the signal contact by taking away the padding
from the steering wheel spokes. Pull the electric cables
loose from the signal contact.
WARNING
The collapsible steering wheel shaft must be handled
with care. It must not be subjected to impacts, jolts
or other rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted
length of the telescope joint or impair its shock absorbing effect.
When installing the steering wheel shaft, take special
care to ensure that the splined lower end is pushed
into the intermediate shaft until the clamping screw
comes opposite the groove in the shaft. The intermediate shaft should normally slide freely on the
shaft. If the splines stick, do not on any account
knock on the top end of of the steering wheel shaft.
This also applies to removing and fitting the steering
wheel. The wheel must not be knocked off or on.
When the car is on a hoist, do not seize a front wheel
and twist it by main force to full steering-wheel lock.
There is a very serious risk of damaging the steering
mechanism if this is done, as the rack-and-pinion
gear will cause the steering wheel to spin at high
speed, imposing a severe torsional strain on the
steering column when the rotation is arrested by
the stop in the steering gear.
STEERING COLUMN TUBE
Removal
1. Undo the locking screw at the joint.
2. Undo the two lower retaining screws at the pedal braeet and the two upper retaining screws. (Steering column
tube-instrument panel.)
3. Detach the quick-release wiring connection and lift out
the steering column assembly.
Installation
REMOVAL OF SAFETY PADDING
2. Remove the steering wheel nut.
3. Pull off the steering wheel with the aid of puller ring,
spacer stud and a universal puller.
Installation is carried out in the reverse order.
Installation must be carried out in the following order to
avoid tension between the steering wheel and steering
gear.
(This is particularly important on cars with power
steering.)
1. Install the steering column tube in position with the
steering column and steering wheel mounted.
2. Mount the steering column to the joint. Ensure that
it is inserted so that the clamping screw comes opposite the groove in the shaft. Tighten the screw.
Check that there is no excessive play in the bearing
and that it does not stick.
CAUTION
If the steering wheel is mounted after the ste~ring
column has been mounted to the joint, tension may
be caused between the steering wheel and steering
column tube.
3. Mount the steering column tube to the pedal bracket
641-3
Page 650
and body. Check that no tension is caused when it is
secured. Connect the electric cable harness.
4. If necessary, adjust the steering wheel.
STEERING COLUMN
Dissasembling and assembling
1. Undo the three retaining screws and remove the plastic
cover under the steering wheel.
2. Pull the steering wheel shaft out of the tube.
3. Remove the two rubber bushings with associated
steering wheel shaft bushings and washers.
Reassemble in reverse order.
REPLACEMENT OF SEALING BELLOWS ON INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
r
Removing
1. Remove the cover under the instrument panel.
2. Undo the screw, which holds the steering column to
the intermediate shaft.
3. Undo the four screws, which fasten the steering column
tube to the body.
4. Withdraw the steering column from the intermediate
shaft.
5. Cut off the old sealing bellows.
INSTALLATION
SHAFT
OF SEALING BELLOWS, INTERMEDIATE
Tool 8995813
Installation
1. Lubricate tool 8995813 with vaseline or soapy water.
Place the tool against the intermediate shaft. Ease the
new sealing bellows over the tool and the joint. Check
that the bellows are undamaged.
2. Refit the steering column into the intermediate shaft.
Make sure that it is pushed in so that the screw is located directly opposite the groove. Tighten the screw.
3. Fasten the steering column to the body.
4. Check the position of the steering wheel and adjust if
necessary.
5. Fit the bellows in the dash panel.
6. Refit the cover under the instrument panel.
641-4
SAAB