13.10.2005: Saab NG900 Stanchion Arm Bushings

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13.10.2005: Saab NG900 Stanchion Arm Bushings

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Stanchion arm bushing replacement on a 1996 Saab 900SE turbo. The old worn out bushings are being replaced with upgraded polyurethane bushings made by Powerflex.

It is not totally necessary to pull the driveshaft or disconnect the control arms. You can even deal with the bushings right on the car, but the room would be rather tight.

Tools and supplies:

32 mm (1¼") socket: hub centre nut;
24 mm wrench and socket: stanchion arm to control arm bolts (for Taliaferro bushings);
17 mm socket: wheel bolts;
16 mm socket: stanchion arm to subframe bolts;
15 mm socket: control arm to subframe bolts;
13 mm socket: lower sway bar link nut;
11 mm open wrench: upper part of sway bar link;
10 mm Allen key: caliper bolts;
5 mm Allen key: rotor index screw;
Torx T55 socket: stanchion arm to control arm bolts (for stock bushings);
gear puller and a hacksaw (for old bushing removal);
torque wrench;
car jack and axle stands;
breaker bar.

13.10.2005: Wheel removed

With the car still on the ground, remove the centre cap from the wheel and loosen the hub nut using a 32 mm socket (a 1¼" will do) and a breaker bar. Loosen the wheel bolts while you're at it too (17 mm socket). Raise the car and remove the wheel.

13.10.2005: Subframe bolt

Unbolt the rearmost subframe bolt holding the stanchion arms (16 mm socket). These bolts tend to wear out on the bottom end, so consider a pair of new ones. Pull the arm out of the subframe.

13.10.2005: Control arm

Remove the caliper and the brake rotor if they are in the way. Disconnect the control arm from the subframe (15 mm socket). Unbolt the sway bar link from the control arm.

13.10.2005: Separated

Unbolt the stanchion arm from the control arm and remove it from the car.

13.10.2005: Worn bushings

With 276K km on the clock, these bushings look completely destroyed.

13.10.2005: Apart

If you ever wondered what's inside, here's your answer. And there also was hydraulic oil... a long time ago.

13.10.2005: Sleeve

The remaining bushing sleeve can be removed with a help of a hacksaw and a cold chisel.

13.10.2005: Powerflex

The Powerflex bushings are a solid two-piece design, and they are worth your attention for the ease of installation alone.

13.10.2005: Spring sleeves

Lubricate the bushings with supplied grease and slide them into the arms. You will also need a pair of new springs sleeves for EACH arm. If your original bushings were dead as mine, chances are the spring sleeves are a heap of rust by now.

30.10.2005: Bolts

This is what happens when you run your car with worn stanchion arm bushings and rusted spring sleeves. The bolt looks like someone chewed on it. A new bolt is pictured below.

13.10.2005: Installed

You might need to slightly widen the opening in the subframe to fit the new bushings in, otherwise the installation is easy and straightforward. Refer to this guide for tightening torque values.

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